15. Lily
Lily
15
“Wow! Mommy, look! It’s like a castle from one of our books!” As Raphael pulls the car around, Mei strains her neck to get a better look at the DiAngelo estate.
When we drove over the bridge to the private island, it felt like we had been transported through a portal, escaping Miami’s industrial views for a beautiful oasis. And I’ll admit, the house is quite impressive. It looks like a scene straight out of a magazine or a movie, with its picturesque beauty and impressive grand scale and style. “I have a surprise for you two,” Raphael says when he turns the car off.
I twist in the passenger seat and look at him. “You do? What is it?”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”
Mei giggles and swings her legs in her booster seat in the back. Something he surprised me with this morning before admitting it was Rose who bought it. “I hope it’s a pony!”
I turn and fix my daughter with a look. “It’s not a pony. Right?” I glance at Raphael for confirmation. He smirks like a cheeky devil, and I’m concerned for a moment that Mei’s right, but then he shakes his head in silent answer. “You’ll just have to wait, Mei. You don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
“Okay,” she whines.
Raphael exits the car and hurries around to open my door before I even have my seat belt off. He extends his hand with a raised brow. I glance between it and him before placing my hand on his. “Well, aren’t you a gentleman?”
He tugs me up gently, being mindful of my sore ribs. I don’t know what’s changed since yesterday to explain it, but I’m no longer scared that his touch will hurt me. Maybe it’s because his touch has only brought me comfort, or perhaps it’s because of the sincerity I see in his eyes when he does, or maybe it’s a combination of both. But whatever it is, it’s as frightening as it is exciting.
I raise my eyes to his face. The flecks of green in his amber eyes dance, and I suddenly know exactly what it feels like for a bug to be hypnotized by an electric zapper.
“I am far from a gentleman, Lily,” Raphael whispers, the deep rumble of his voice vibrating in my chest.
Raphael looks like he’s about to say something more before he stops and shuts his mouth. Stepping back, he releases me to help Mei out of the car just as another car pulls into the circular drive.
“It’s Rose!” Mei shouts before she rushes over to hug the redhead’s legs. After spending the day with her, it seems Rose is Mei’s new best friend.
Rose pats her back and glances down at her lovingly. “Hi, little one. Are you excited about Christmas?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid Santa won’t find me here.” Mei’s precious face falls, and so does my heart.
Last night, I expressed to Raphael how I had nothing for Christmas once I realized just how close it was. We spent the next hour talking about gift ideas and all the things I’d want to give Mei if I could. It was nice to dream and imagine, but in the light of a new day, I still have nothing to give her, and neither does Santa.
“Well, that’s easy to fix,” Rose says, gathering Liam in her arms when Michael hands him over. “We’ll just write him a letter to let him know where to bring all your gifts. Come on, if we go write it now while we bake cookies, there’s plenty of time. How does that sound?” Rose looks at me. “If it’s okay with your mom, of course.”
Mei swings around so fast, she’s a flurry of dark hair and pink colors from her dress. “Can I, Mommy?”
“Go ahead. But behave and listen to Rose. I’ll be right behind you.”
“The island is safe, remember?” Raphael reassures me as they disappear into the house ahead. “She’ll be okay.”
“I know.” I sigh. “It’s just hard to have her out of my sight.”
“I understand. Come on, let’s go introduce you to my dad and then see what kind of mess they’ve made in the kitchen.”
Even in a normal situation, meeting the parents is a terrifying event. But when one parent leads a trio of crime families in Miami, it makes the meeting just a little more intense. But Raphael swears his father will behave. Which also tells me he sometimes doesn’t. Not very reassuring, if you ask me.
Stepping into the DiAngelo house is like being transported to a magical winter wonderland. At the center of a dual staircase, a towering Christmas tree is decked out in a dazzling display of sparkling lights and ornaments, creating a mesmerizing sight that stretches toward the ceiling. The soothing melodies of the holidays and the aroma of cinnamon and pine fill the air. The warm and inviting atmosphere instantly transports me back to the cherished memories of every happy Christmas from my youth with my parents.
The dozens of presents under the tree serve as a somber reminder that a certain young girl will be let down on Christmas morning. Stepping closer, I read Raphael’s name, Rose, and Liam’s, Dante and Alice and…wait, does that say Mei? And there’s another one that says Lily.
“Raphael, what is this?” I ask, turning to find the man smiling like he’s proud of himself for whatever this is.
“I may have sent a list of the items you mentioned yesterday to my mother.” He shrugs a single shoulder as his eyes roam over the many presents. “She works fast.”
“Raphael—” My mouth opens and closes several times as my brain tries hard to work through its jumbled thoughts. “Raphael, I…I can’t—”
“You can and you will,” he says firmly. “It’s the least we can do.”
“You’re already doing so much for us,” I argue. “You rescued us and have given us a place to stay. Anything more is unnecessary.”
“Do you really want Mei to be let down when Santa doesn’t come on Christmas morning?”
Well, ouch. He knows exactly where to poke me, right in a sore spot labeled Everything Mei.
“Fine,” I cave reluctantly. “But I didn’t get you or anyone else anything.”
He smiles like the Cheshire cat. He’s up to something more.
“What are you planning now?”
“I’m not planning anything.”
“That’s a very vague answer.”
Raphael laughs like he’s won a game, and he probably has. “Come on. My dad’s waiting.”
Dante DiAngelo is every bit what I imagine a Mafia leader to look like. His rugged features command attention, creating an air of power around him I feel the moment I step inside.
“Lily.” His deep voice carries across the office space, sending a chill down my spine. This must be how a deer feels when cornered by a bear.
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” And then he smiles, and suddenly, the air lifts in the office.
Releasing a breath, I smile back and remember my manners before saying, “Thank you. You have a beautiful home.”
“I’ll have to tell Alice. She’ll be thrilled to hear it.” The way he smiles reminds me so much of Raphael. Which makes sense, of course. It’s like looking at an older version of him, with the same amber-colored eyes and dark brown hair graying around the edges.
Raphael shows me to a seat before claiming the one beside me. With a quick look around the room, I see dozens of pictures adorning the walls and bookshelves. Moments of happy memories like graduations, birthdays, holidays, and more. If I didn’t know any better, I’d argue that I’m in the office of a regular family man and not one belonging to arguably the most dangerous man in Miami.
“Is there anyone we can reach out to for you?” Dante’s question pulls my attention back to him.
I shake my head. “It’s just me.”
“Raphael told me about how you ended up with Xiao.”
There’s a question hidden there. One he doesn’t have to ask. “But you want to know why he kept me around? And why he still did after Mei too?”
“In gentler terms, yes.”
“At first, it was about infatuation. And then I got pregnant. He learned about my medical skills and decided to keep me around to be a doctor for the Triads. After Mei was born, he changed. His infatuation turned to obsession and his obsession turned to aggression and abuse”
“So it’s safe to assume you hate him?”
“If you’re wondering if I suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, the answer is no. He’s just Mei’s sperm donor to me.”
The corner of Dante’s lips twitch. “Good to know. I was wondering if you could tell me more about Xiao and—”
A loud rhythmic knock interrupts Dante, and as one, we all turn to the large cherrywood door.
“Yes?” Dante calls.
The door opens, and a young, pretty brunette woman walks in.
“Hi! I’m Emilia, and I was told my fiancé is in here?”
“Fiancé?” The word escapes my lips.
“Yes. Raphael DiAngelo.”