Page 58 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

My lungs tightened, the old nightmares slamming against the doors, eager to break free. I wouldn’t let them. I couldn’t let them.

For Gabriel. For me.

I bit harder into my hand, the blood trickling down my skin. Sticky. Smelly. Warm.

Terror crawled up my spine. My skin felt clammy. I was suffocating.

Two large hands cupped my face. A blurry face. His mouth moved. My brain couldn’t process his words.

My entire body shook. I needed someone to save me. It was always about being saved. Anya saved me fromhim.Our father.

“Breathe, Reina.” The voice was deep and soft. Vehement. I couldn’t drag a single breath into my lungs. “Focus on my voice and breathe.” I closed my eyes and listened. “Open your eyes and breathe.”

His face slowly came into focus. Tanned skin. Blue eyes. “You’re safe here.” His scent registered.Safe.He’d keep us safe.

I pressed my face into the crook of his neck, his warmth and strength seeping into me. It was like an injection of everything I needed for my heart to finally ease its race. I rested my face against his neck, while his hands found their way to my back, running them up and down, soothing me.

The devil pulled me back from the nightmare. My decision was made.

ChapterTwenty-Six

RAPHAEL

“All good?” I asked her calmly, though deep down my rage boiled. Something or someone must have hurt this woman to cause such pain.

“Yes,” she muttered, looking anywhere but at me. “The document was…” pause, “unexpected.” She swallowed hard and forced a smile. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure whether she knew about it or not up until the moment she had her breakdown.

“Family, huh?” she attempted to scoff, but it came out too weak.

It wasn’t exactly the reaction I expected from her. Clearly she didn’t know about the agreement her parents made with Santiago Tijuana. The panic in her eyes was too real, like ghosts she’d kept hidden for too long.

Her parents sold her out. Both her and her son. To one of the most sadistic men on the planet. History was repeating itself. First, they sold Anya. Now it was her turn.

“There are better families,” was all I said. “You make it with the people that have your back.”

She nodded as if she understood and I believed she did.

Keeping a wary expression on her face, she leaned back into her chair, and I realized she needed space. I couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t every day you find out your parents had a contract out for you and your son.

So I allowed it. This time.

I took my seat next to her and downed my coffee. She needed some time to get herself together.

There was more to Sailor’s story than the file Nico secured for me.

It was written in the panic attack I had just witnessed. In the nightmare she woke up from when we were in the plane. Almost as if she was abused or witnessed it firsthand. Did that bastard father of hers use her to settle his own debt?

None of Nico’s files reflected that, and he was very thorough.

Those remarkable blue eyes met my gaze and her tongue swept across her bottom lip before she spoke up.

“What if I refused to marry you?” she asked softly.

A sardonic breath left me. I wished she’d marry me because she felt this attraction brewing between us. It was part of the air we breathed. And here she was questioning what would happen if she didn’t. I’d burn down the whole fucking world, that’s what would happen.

“I have many enemies, Sailor. And word will spread that Gabriel is a Santos. I’ll keep you both safe. From your parents, from Santiago Tijuana and anyone else,” I vowed. I’d protect her even if she refused to marry me but I wouldn’t tell her that. “The most efficient way to do so is for you to marry me.”

Her shoulders slumped a bit and something about it reminded me of a tired angel. Her thick waves covered her slim shoulders, like a crown that was too heavy to carry.

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