Chapter Eleven
Faith nodded, hugged her sisters, and then took Rafael’s hand. They went out a different door then they had come in and into a different vehicle.
Faith sat in the back with Rafael’s arm around her as the car left Rowan’s. Instead of going the way they came, the security people took them a different route for safety. It took another ten minutes, but they made it home, which she was thankful for.
Rafael supported her up the steps of his home. She felt like she’d been run over. She and her sisters had cried for the hour they spent together, so she had a headache and was nauseous.
She sat on the side of the bed and looked down at her lap. She didn’t even have the energy to make a decision. She just wanted to sit there for a long while and rest.
“Come here, Baby. I’ll wash you quickly so you can get into bed.”
He picked her up and took her into the bathroom. He handed her a hair tie as he started the shower. He undressed before he pulled her clothes off and then carried her into the shower. He quickly washed both of them, dried them, and then wrapped the towel around his waist.
“I’m going to turn down the bed. Why don’t you use the toilet and brush your teeth? I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, took care of her nighttime routine, and stood there. He knocked once and then opened the door. She felt tears fill her eyes and noticed his gentle and concerned look at her.
He lifted her and set her in the middle of the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
Faith closed her eyes. She was jostled awake when Rafael climbed into bed and wrapped his arm around her.
“Sleep, Baby. We’ll get through this.”
She sniffed and nodded before she closed her eyes again. When she opened them, sunlight came in through the window, and the bed where Rafael had slept was cold.
She stared out the window, trying to find the energy to get up. She sighed and pulled herself out of bed. She jumped into the shower and washed her hair with the new, different female products there.
He’d told her that the blow-dryer was under the sink, so she wouldn’t have to look around for it. After drying her hair, she wrapped a towel around her torso and walked into the closet. She was surprised to see all the women’s clothes. She remembered he had told her he’d ordered some for her. She just hadn’t realized how many. She pulled out a sundress and sandals and walked downstairs. Unsure of what she should do, she decided to get something to eat.
“There she is,” Maddie said from the stove. “I bet you’re hungry.”
She tried to smile. “A little bit. Do you have any coffee? I feel like I’m walking around in a fog.”
Maddie hugged her. “You’ve had a rough few days. Master Rafael will make it better.”
Faith did smile at that. The belief the cook had in her employer was astonishing and lovely to see.
“Do you know where Rafael is?”
Maddie shook her head but wouldn’t look her in the face. What could he be doing that she wouldn’t want to tell me about? she thought.
Faith ate a bit of the breakfast and drank the coffee before taking both to the sink.
“Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”
“I was sorry to hear about your father.”
Faith felt tears start to sting her eyes and blinked them away. “He will be desperately missed. I’m going outside to sit by the pool. I need the fresh air.”
Maddie nodded but looked worried.
Faith sat back in one of the chairs and let the sweet-smelling air wash over her. So many thoughts raced through her mind. About her stepmom, father, the marriage, and her future.
“What are you doing out here?”
She jerked her head around to see Rafael standing over her, angry.
“I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to.”
“I don’t like you out here without me.”
“But you’ve got security men everywhere, don’t you?”
He put his hands on his hips. “That’s not the point.”
“Where were you?” She caught a flash of something in his eyes before he blanked them.
“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”
She stood and stared at him. Her eyes flew to the stain of red on his collar. Her stomach twisted. “I promise I won’t come out here again.” She started to walk by him and stopped beside him. “You might want to change your shirt. You’ve got lipstick on it.” She continued into the house and found a room she hadn’t seen before. It reminded her of a sunroom with all the plants and windows.
She was sitting on the sofa looking outside when Rafael found her.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
She glanced at him. “Why?”
“About the lipstick…”
She held up a hand. “It’s none of my business. This was a marriage of convenience. You get my dowry and virginity, and I get your protection. When it is safe, I’ll move on.”
“Like hell you will,” he growled, pulling her up by her arms and holding her in front of him. “I already told you this marriage is forever.”
“I thought that also, but I won’t stand aside while you fuck me raw and then go to another woman.”
“You’re pushing it, Baby. I’d be careful.”
“Careful of what? It’s not like I’m going to lose you. I didn’t have you to begin with. But I get it. You were thrown into this difficult situation, probably against your wishes. I am sorry my father put you up to this. I’m sorry I’m not good enough, but I refuse to compete with another woman.”
“Are you done?”
“Mistress Faith, you have a phone call.”
Faith pulled away from Rafael and walked to Maddie. “Where can I take it?”
“Take it in my office,” Rafael said.
She turned and left without looking at him again. It was too painful. She was dealing with enough at the moment. She thought she had someone who cared besides her sisters, and now she knew differently.
Faith picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Is this Faith?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“We don’t have a lot of time. They’ve got one of your sisters.”
“Who’s they ?”
“I can’t tell you. Meet me outside the gate in ten minutes.”
“Wait…”
“Do it, or they’ll hurt your sister.”
“Wait…” She hung up the phone and tried to calm down.
“Who was that?”
She spun around to face Rafael. “An old friend.”
“Who? What’s her name?”
“It’s a he.”
Rafael growled.
She didn’t have a lot of time and needed to get away from him. “I’m going to go lay down for a while.” She walked around him and then gasped when he grabbed her arm.
“How about I come lay down with you?”
She chuckled. “No need. We’ve consummated the marriage. You no longer have to touch me.”
“Goddammit, listen to me…”
She could see the frustration on his face but didn’t care now.
The phone rang on the desk. “Fuck. I’ll take the call and find you. We need to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“There’s a hell of a lot to talk about.” He released her and started toward his desk.
“Rafael,” she called from the doorway. She waited until he looked up. “I don’t think I’ve thanked you for what you’ve done. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll always appreciate it.” She turned and walked out before he could question her.
She walked around until she found a side door and slipped out of it. She looked right and left and started down the driveway, staying in the shadows.
She had nothing in her life to live for except her sisters, so she’d do whatever she needed to protect them.