Chapter 4
RAQUEL
Getting into his car was a risk I was willing to take. What else did I have to lose? My life was already a living hell. Before today, I’d never have dreamed of getting into a car with a man I’d only just met.
But things have changed drastically.
When I thought the wedding was six months away, it still seemed like enough time to do something, but three months is nothing. It’ll be here before I know it.
Whoever Dante is, I know one thing: he has money, and a lot of it. From the moment I saw his car, I knew he had to be rich. McLarens aren’t cheap, and his costs a good two million. I know a thing or two about cars. It’s my side passion. I love luxury cars, especially sports cars.
Once we got to the house, I knew my suspicions were correct. His house is not merely a house, but a sprawling white mansion covering acres of land.
We sit on his cream suede sofa, my toes curling over the soft, shaggy white rug. An electric fireplace is in front of me, and a raindrop-style crystal chandelier hangs overhead. My palms surround a warm mug of coffee while he sips on his.
Considering the daybreak has come, I welcome the caffeine permeating through my pores. But honestly, I’m no longer tired. Not like I was when I got home from the wedding. It must be the anxiety spinning me out of control.
“What exactly do you do?” I ask as he takes another sip from his mug before placing it down on a square glass table before us.
As soon as I walked in, I noticed all the bodyguards stationed around the premises. Each one is tall, built, and scary enough to give me the impression that they’d kill anyone who dared walk inside uninvited.
Why would he need them?
“I run some companies,” he throws in coolly.
“They must do well,” I murmur, glancing up at the cathedral ceiling and the black-and-white contemporary artwork perched on the walls.
“They do okay.” He grins, telling me they do way more than that. “And what about you?”
“I’m a second-year resident at a hospital in the general surgery program.” My eyes are back on his. “I have three more years to go.”
“Whoa. So you’re not only beauty, but brains too? Damn.”
My cheeks burn from the compliment. I’m not used to the praise. My parents were never the type to hand compliments out.
His tongue takes a leisurely swipe of his lower lip as his gaze subtly glides down my body, but I notice it, and I like it.
“Look, before we do this, you need to know some things about me,” I say, realizing he has to know the truth about the type of family I come from and what they’ll do if and when they find out about us.
He angles his body toward me even more, one thigh raised on the sofa.
“Now I’m intrigued. Tell me everything.” The smirk on his face makes my stomach flop and tighten. “But I promise nothing will scare me away.”
A tiny, severed laugh breaks from my lips. He has no idea if that’s true. Not until he understands what he’s getting into. I’m so desperate for this to work. It’s my only way out. But once he learns the truth, he might not want to marry me.
Pulling in a long breath and closing my eyes for a mere second to gather the nerves, I tell him everything, from who my father and uncles are, to the kind of life I’ve led, to being forced to marry Carlito. I give him every dirty detail.
He’s contemplative for a moment while my heart does somersaults as I wait for him to say something, anything. I anxiously run my finger over the handle of the mug.
“That’s all?” He chuckles deeply, his eyes gleaming with humor. “I thought you were going to tell me you were a part-time serial killer or something. Not that it’d be a deal breaker either.”
“You really don’t care that I’m the daughter of a mobster? It doesn’t worry you?”
“Not at all. You don’t have to doubt my ability to keep you safe, Raquel. I can do that one-handed. And, as you can see…” He waves a hand toward the men he employs. “I have plenty of help too.”
I exhale a sigh of relief.
He scoots closer, his hand settling on my knee. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ll protect you.”
A tentative smile appears on my face. I want to trust him, but I’m worried I can’t. I know nothing about him. Not even his last name. Does he really stand a chance against my family and Carlito?
I guess we’ll find out soon.
“So, how is this arrangement between us going to work?” I ask, needing to start the process so he can’t change his mind.
“Well…” He moves his hand away, picking up his mug again.
“My lawyers have already drafted a contract, which we’ll both sign.
They’ll just add your name to it today. I’ll also need you to sign the papers so we can get the marriage certificate.
Then, once the three months are complete, you’ll get your money and all the documentation, as promised. ”
“And what about the other stuff?” My cheeks are burning, but I need to know if he expects anything sexual from our marriage.
He smirks, knowingly. “You mean will I fuck you?”
“Mm-hmm. I know I came home with you and all, but that was before all this.” I wave a hand in the air.
“Don’t worry, baby. I won’t touch you.” His tone lowers. Deep. Masculine.
My body shivers with awareness, the prickling over my skin spreading past my arms.
“Not unless you want me to. And you might want me to.” A devilish smirk crosses his face.
“I won’t,” I quickly say.
I’m no longer sure if that’s true. My heart is racing to the speed of roaring flames. I was so ready to have a one-night stand, but now we can’t. Not when I’ll be seeing him for three months.
His hand extends, and I’m caught in his gaze, like a moth dizzy from the moonlight. My pulse picks up speed and my stomach writhes with nerves as his knuckle strokes down my cheek.
“You sure about that?” he asks.
My breathing stills, imprisoned from his unrelenting gaze. His raspy tone slides between my thighs, making me crave whatever is happening between us.
I can’t let it go there. Not now. Not when I’m not here to stay. I don’t want to form a connection with him only to leave it behind. I have to keep him at arm’s length while I’m here. I have to fight this intense attraction to my soon-to-be husband.
God help me.
“I’m sure,” I assert with all the confidence I can muster.
My hand wraps around his powerful wrist, drawing it away. My cheek tingles where his touch was, the feeling so foreign it almost feels surreal.
“Whatever you say, beautiful. I’m here to make you happy. You’ll be my wife, after all.”
“In name only.” I quirk a brow, still feeling the effect he has on me.
“Right. Of course.” He grins. “Oh, and before I forget, I’ll need your phone. You won’t be able to have it in the time you’re here, or your family will be able to track you.”
“Right. Okay. But I have to text my cousin Chiara. She has to know I’m okay, or she’ll turn the world upside down to find me.”
“That’s fine, but don’t tell her anything other than you’re safe. Don’t say a word about me or our location.”
“Of course. I understand. Oh, I also need to message my boss and let her know I’ll need a month off for a family emergency, or they’ll come looking too.”
He nods in understanding as I remove my cell from my handbag and go to my messages, typing one out to Chiara, then my job. My boss and I have a pretty good relationship, and though I know I should call her, I don’t think I could lie as well over the phone.
Raquel to Chiara
Hey. Just wanted you to know I’ll be gone for a while. No, I won’t off myself. Don’t worry. But I did find a way out. He’s rich, hot, and promises to get me out of the country soon. And if he kills me, then he kills me. Just kidding. I hope. Love you.
Raquel to Job Kerry
Hey, Kerry. I’m sorry to do this at the last minute, but I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to.
My family is going through an emergency right now, and I had to go out of state with my parents for a month.
I understand if my position won’t be there when I return, though I would very much like it to be.
I don’t have great reception here, so I’m sorry if I don’t get back to you. -Raquel
“Here.” I hand him the phone, and he takes it, turning it off before stuffing it in his pants pocket.
“All right, let me show you to your room so you can maybe take a nap.” He sets his mug down and rises to his feet while I do the same.
“That sounds nice, though I can’t say I’m tired.”
“Weirdly, I’m not either,” he remarks as we walk side by side out of the room and toward the large foyer.
I follow him up the spiral staircase, gripping the bronzed banister as I take slow steps, noticing every detail of his home, one I imagine is the type a celebrity would live in.
“I have a lot of men around the place, as you might have noticed,” he says over his shoulder. “Don’t let that concern you. I like to protect what’s mine. Can’t be too careful these days.”
“I understand.” I climb the final step, crossing into a wide hallway and seeing room after room until we stop at one.
“Here we are.” He parts the door, his smile as welcoming as the bedroom.
“This is nice.” My feet fall over the dark hardwood as I stride further inside the massive bedroom.
I silently take in everything: the misty gray upholstered bed with a dark gray abstract rug beneath, the two white armchairs perched by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a square glass table sandwiched between them.
“Where is your room?” I ask with my back to him.
“You’re in it,” comes a husky answer.
His breath glides up my neck, making goose bumps scatter across my arms.
Wait. What did he just say?
I whip around to find amusement flanking his features.
“You mean we have to share a room?” My eyes go round.
“We do.” His body moves dangerously close to mine. “Did I forget to mention that?”
A tiny, crooked smile snakes over his mouth, and I know right away that he purposely left that part out.
“We should have separate rooms.” Agitation rolls into my voice. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Why not?” He draws nearer, his body only a finger’s length away from mine.
“Well…I…um…” I stammer, my eyes darting between him and the floor.