Chapter 28
Rafaela
Betrayal.
I’d thought of little else since Mikhail’s breakdown two days before. It weighed heavily on my mind even as I tried to reconcile what I’d done to keep myself and my loved ones protected. But it was too much to bear, the heavy burden something I couldn’t control or keep any longer.
Not from the man I loved, the same man who’d vowed to protect me against all evils of the world.
Kazimir had been devastated in learning that Mikhail had betrayed him, taking the brunt of knowing his brother blamed him for an evil deed he’d had no control over with a heavy heart.
I’d seen him harden from his sadness and the horror of not knowing what he should do.
Mikhail was family and nothing would change that, any more than the horrible actions taken by the man derailed by grief and the effects of a terrible disease.
As I sat beside him in the back of the SUV, the events of the last three years continually played in my mind. Over and over.
“I’m proud of you,” I whispered.
“For what?”
“For not killing your brother.”
Kazimir laughed. “I thought about it, but what good would that have done? The guilt will eat him alive.”
“What will happen to Mikhail?”
Reaching over, Kazimir grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers. “He’ll be banished. That’s punishment enough.”
“Are you certain you want to do that?”
His sigh was heavy. “I’m not certain of many things, my love, but he must be punished.”
“He loves you. Remember what I said before. People usually have reasons for actions they take, sometimes simply out of grief they don’t understand.”
“He was a traitor to the family. But I did hear what you said. He will be allowed to live his life, just not within the protection of my family. Now, are you certain you want to be a part of this? There is no reason for you to be.”
This. Meaning the elimination of my father and godfather. “Trust me. I want nothing more than to see them punished.” And I did.
Would their deaths weigh on my mind? Maybe a little, but I’d learn to live with my conscience.
Over one hundred soldiers had arrived in Sicily by way of touching down in two planes at the Cagliari Elmas Airport in Sicily, a location that would be off my father and godfather’s radar.
Cars had been rented and we’d made it to Sardinia without incident.
I already knew the plan of Kazimir taking over my godfather’s territory.
In addition to having his soldiers arrive, his cousin had brought fifty or so of his men to the country as well.
My father had no idea what was about to transpire.
But I did.
And I was eager to see the finish.
How horrible of a person did that make me for wishing them both dead, allowing my mother to walk free?
And my brother.
And…
God. What the hell was I going to do?
Did I hate my father? The answer was easy. Yes. Very much so. For more than just what he’d done to me or to Kazimir. For my entire life spent like a piece of property. I now wanted to live my life the way I saw fit.
“I need to tell you something.” The driver was pulling into the fancy hotel where the bastards were waiting for me to be brought.
“You don’t need to tell me anything, my sweet little healer. I have everything I need.” His tone was reassuring, even loving.
And I felt like a terrible person.
“I think I do.”
He unfastened his seatbelt, turning toward me. “We’ll talk afterward. This won’t take very long. Then we’ll spend the night in the city, maybe longer depending. Okay?”
Exhaling, I nibbled on my bottom lip, feeling the pressure of what needed to be said. “Okay.”
“Stay close behind. Do not venture off on your own.”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
When the vehicles slowed to a stop, I shifted my attention to Grigor, another soldier that had been put in charge of Golden. At least she hadn’t bitten his hand off. Small wins.
“Take care of our pup,” Kazimir told him. “With your life.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I have biscuits in my pocket.” Grigor pulled one out and Golden was all about jumping in his lap. “And this little fluff ball adores me.”
I chuckled in seeing the way her tail swished back and forth. She was expanding her horizons.
Seconds later, Kazimir pulled me into the sunshine, although I couldn’t help but think today would be perfect day for a raging thunderstorm.
He pressed his hand against the small of my back and I was able to take a deep breath. The property was surrounded, the soldiers already moving to disarm those employed by my godfather.
While I had a small part in what was about to happen, I’d insisted on being the one to start the party with my presence. From there, I’d allow the professionals to do their jobs.
Just as we walked inside, a single shot was fired from a soldier behind us, shouts ensuing, and I was reminded this life was dangerous.
Once again.
More shots were fired. Soldiers were running. Sounds that would forever imbed in my mind as the noise of a regime being overthrown.
But this time, I didn’t fear the outcome. I relished the thought of finally beginning a new chapter on my terms.
So we headed to the suite, completely protected by the soldiers.
Once we were in the hallway leading to the room, Kirill moved ahead, leaving Kazimir and me alone for a few seconds. He pushed me against the wall, planting one hand next to my head. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“You do know I care about you.”
“How much?” I couldn’t help but tease him. Even running my finger around his mouth. When he snapped his lips around it, I laughed from nerves and the lust that he could entice from my body.
He sucked on my finger for ten seconds before pulling it free. “Enough that if you don’t obey me, I will punish you.”
“Promises, promises.”
On my tiptoes, I pressed my lips against his. Maybe the guilt was still eating me alive, but I was so nervous I could barely think straight.
But I was intent on saying my piece. My father had made his bed. I couldn’t care less what happened to him.
I didn’t bother knocking on the door, surprising the guards who were inside.
“Rafaela.” My father noticed me right away, looking over my shoulder. “What are you doing here?” He was nervous.
That made me very happy.
“You know why I’m here, Papa. You wanted me here so you could marry me off.
I simply arrived in a different way than you expected.
I have a little news for you. I am going to be married, but not to the one you thought.
To the man I love. You see, there’s something very special about finding the right person in your life and you will do everything in your power to hold onto that person.
You did your best to take him away from me, Daddy. But you failed.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my godfather who was sitting in a chair. Watching me.
Uncertain what to do.
I offered him the respect he thought he deserved, but instead of bowing to him like a king, I pulled out my favorite weapon.
“Rafaela!” my father yelled.
“And you. You played a family’s weakness for money and power. Well, you tried and you failed. Both of you. You’re no longer going to force me into doing anything I don’t want.” I laughed saying the words.
“What are you talking about?” my father asked, immediately ready to reach for his gun. When he motioned for his men to come to his protection, I laughed. “You’re my daughter. My family. Why would I force you?”
“Because that’s who you are. A tired old man who can’t handle being defeated. Oh, Daddy. You fool. Did you honestly think I’d come here alone?”
I shifted the weapon to his forehead, pressing the barrel with force. Then I pulled the trigger.
The clicking sound brought a smile to my face and a groan from his throat.
“Don’t worry, Papa. I’m not the one sent to kill either one of you.”
As expected, the door was thrown open and two dozen men walked inside.
“What have you done?” my godfather asked.
“What I should have done a long time ago. And don’t worry. I’m already carrying on the family legacy.”
The past. The present. The future. They were all colliding together.
There was nothing worse than betrayal.
I turned away, disgusted with the family I’d been born into. Did I wonder about what I was getting myself into? Yes, but in truth, I knew the difference in the family I was about to join was that there was love. That was the key.
Our union wasn’t about money or power, influence or territory. It was about two people who against the odds had fallen in love during the worst of circumstances.
I only prayed that after I exposed my worst fears, professing my sins that love would prevail.
By the time I made it outside the room, I was shaking.
Pop! Pop!
There was no fanfare in their death, no painting the walls with their blood as they’d done with countless others.
Just a clean, simple end to a regime that had devalued human life. Two men who’d never understood the power of love and in a way, I felt sorry for them.
But I’d get over the feeling quickly.
Kazimir had been so quick to call himself the devil, but he’d been wrong.
My father and godfather were truly the hand of evil.
And I was glad they were dead.
* * *
Waves.
There was nothing like soft waves rolling against a shoreline. The afternoon was perfect, the setting sun creating a full display of colors.
I stood on the deck of the hotel, completely numb inside. There were so many things to say, emotions to feel, yet I was cold and numb. Golden was lounging on the warm deck, completely happy while my stomach remained in knots.
How was that even possible?
I sensed his presence mere seconds later, the electricity that we continually shared sparking something deep within my tummy.
“You’re staring at me,” I said when he moved directly behind me. Not touching. Just existing.
“What’s wrong with that? A beautiful woman about to be my wife. Of course I’m going to stare.” Kazimir’s deep voice sent a thrill through me.
“It depends.”