Page 46 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

Retribution. It was his promise to me.

I held my breath as my parents turned their backs to me. It was both relief and fear for the future that remained.

I shot up with a jolt, my breathing labored and my heart thundering hard against my chest. My eyes roamed the cabin only to find Gabriel fast asleep next to me and Raphael’s electrifying blue gaze that seemed to pierce my soul as he watched me.

ChapterTwenty-Two

RAPHAEL

Ilooked over to Sailor to see she’d fallen asleep. So did Gabriel.

She held him protectively even in her sleep. As if she anticipated someone would take him away from her at any moment. I wouldn’t let that happen. It was clear Gabriel loved her and she loved him.

I let out a breath.

I had a plan. Tie Sailor to me.Forever.I had wanted her from the first moment I saw her eight years ago. And how appropriate that I found her again during Colombian Amor Y Amistad week, equivalent to Valentine’s Day.

Her breaths were slow and even at first before turning harsher. Bad dreams. Or maybe memories. Those ghosts that lurked in her eyes but she’d gotten good at hiding. I wanted to chase them all away.

My gaze swept over her beautiful face. Those smooth porcelain cheekbones. Those long fair eyelashes. That pouty, sassy mouth. And that hair. Jesus that hair would bring a saint to his knees.

And I was no saint. Not even close.

My cell rang and I flicked a gaze to the caller ID.

Byron Ashford.

I couldn’t say I was surprised. I expected his call the moment I dragged Sailor and Gabriel out of the cabin. Frankly, I was surprised it took him this long.

“Byron,” I answered, leaning back into my seat while keeping my eyes on Gabriel and Sailor.

“What the fuck, Raphael?” The Ashford brother was pissed. “You took Sailor and Gabriel.”

“Yes.” No sense in denying it. It didn’t escape me that the Ashfords had top-notch surveillance in the cabin.

“One warning, Raphael,” Byron gritted. “Which is more than I’d do for anyone else. Bring them back, or I’m coming for you.”

Annoyance flared in my chest. Sailor and Gabriel were my concern, not his. My responsibility, not his.

“I’m not bringing them back,” I said, running my tongue across my teeth agitated. “Sailor agreed to come along. I’ll protect her and Gabriel from the Tijuana Cartel.”

“Well, thank you for the heads up about the cartel,” he retorted dryly. “They blew up my favorite cabin.”

“I was a bit too preoccupied getting Sailor and Gabriel out of there while getting shot at.”

A long pause. “What is your interest in them anyhow, Raphael?”

“He’s my half-brother.”And she’ll be my wife. Although I kept that thought to myself.

“Get the fuck out.” Shock colored Byron’s voice. “How is that even possible?”

“You really want me to explain to you how babies are made?” I questioned sardonically.

“Fucker,” he muttered. “Does Sailor know?”

Interesting. She definitely knew, but the question was why she kept that from the Ashfords. Or at least this Ashford.

“You’ll have to ask her,” I told him. “What shape is your cabin in?”

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