Page 93 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

“I did. Aurora, Alexei, and he were on their way to the beach. Surprisingly he likes Alexei,” I remarked.

“He’s a likable guy,” he retorted.

I lifted up on my elbow and twisted my body around so I could see him better. “Likable guy?”

“Okay, he’s a bit tense. But he’s a good man.”

I believed him. “What about your call?” I asked.

His expression never changed, but he tensed. Barely a flicker but it was unmistakable. “Is something wrong?” I couldn’t help but question.

“No, everything is fine.”

It wasn’t. I’d stake my life on it. He moved away and I turned back over, then brought my knees to my chest.

“Raphael, if something is wrong, I want to know,” I told him.

“It’s business stuff,” he assured. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

Okay.

Our gazes locked, at this very moment, it almost felt like we were the only ones in this universe. Without danger or twisted contracts to hang over our heads.

I let out a heavy sigh.

“What’s the matter, Reina?” Raphael cupped my face. “Tell me what’s on your mind. What’s worrying you?”

“How does this end?” I blurted out. “My father. Santiago Tijuana. Their contract. Neither one of them will just stop, I know it.”

He cupped my face. “Don’t worry about it, Reina. I’ll take them both down.”

“I was so close to taking Father down,” I murmured. “So damn close, and that bail was set. I know it was Father who pulled the strings.”

Smart woman. It didn’t surprise me that she knew.

“How long have you known?” he questioned. He could see too much. Probably knew too much too. “How long have you known that your father made sideline deals with criminals?”

I swallowed hard. “Since- “ It was so hard to talk about Anya. So fucking hard to think about that night in Miami when we walked into Lombardo Santos home, like lambs going to slaughter. “Since Anya went to see your dad,” I admitted softly. “I’ll never understand why she agreed to it, but she said Father demanded it. Or else.”

A cold sweat broke out beneath my skin. Just as it always did when I thought about that night. We were in the middle of paradise and I could barely breathe. There wasn’t enough oxygen out here.

“Breathe,” he demanded. I gripped his arms. My ears rang. My lungs closed up. “Reina, breathe.”

I inhaled deeply and it still wasn’t enough. Panic tore through my chest. I was suffocating.

Cool water hit my skin. And it was only then that my lungs opened up. The pressure eased up in my lungs and air finally found its way into my bloodstream.

The fog cleared in my head, and I buried my head into Raphael’s warm chest. Waves rose and fell against our bodies, washing away my fear.

He kept me pressed against his warm body, and it was only now that I realized how badly I shook. I held on to him like he was my whole life. I feared he might have already become a big part of my life.

“Better?” Raphael asked. He was my life raft in the storm.

I nodded, dragging another deep breath into my lungs. Relief was strong. Overwhelming.

“Yes, thank you.”

I rested my face against his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist, while he ran his hand through my hair. Over and over again. The act was soothing, peaceful. I inhaled a steady breath. My heartbeat slowed. The wind swept through my hair. And all the while, my lips skimmed over his neck.

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