single eyebrow, giving me the same stern expression he always did when I’d displeased him in some way.
I also noticed another anal plug sitting smack in between the dozen or so implements.
“Take off your clothes,” he commanded as he moved closer to the counter.
“Really?”
“Your correct response would be ‘yes, sir.’ You know what happens if I have to ask you twice.”
I took a deep breath and reached for the hem of my dress, every part of me tingling from anticipation. Hearing the doorbell wasn’t a complete shock. Several of his enforcers had visited during the last week, bringing news of the various situations. However, I could tell by the annoyance crossing his face that he wasn’t expecting a visitor.
“Stay here,” he stated, tilting his head until I nodded in agreement. There was no hesitation as he grabbed his weapon, sliding it against the small of his back.
I slunk against the edge of the counter, refusing to glance at the array of pain creators. Unable to stop myself, I fingered the cane, moving up and down slowly. Sadness gripped my heart, the anguish of not sharing my life with him weighing heavily. I was just a simple girl, a schoolteacher who longed for a quiet life, something Rafael could never provide. I jerked my hand away, second guessing my decision for the twentieth time.
A few seconds later, I heard voices, the female loud and boisterous, allowing me a smile.
My aunt had returned.
Early.
No. No!
My initial reaction was utter despair because I’d be forced to face the decision I’d made, breaking my heart into tiny little pieces. I could still have a few days. At least I would convince myself of that false truth. The sooner I left the country the better.
But for whom?
I plastered a smile on my face as I walked just out of the kitchen. My aunt was exactly as I’d remembered ten years before, her vivid attire and flaming red hair matching her personality perfectly. “Aunt Lucia. I didn’t expect to see you for a few weeks.”
“Child. Do you honestly think I could spend more than a few weeks with the same man?” she asked, winking. After another laugh, her face fell as she inched forward, pulling me into her arms. The whisper was meant for only my ears. “I heard from Elena what happened. One of the security guards finally gave me this address. Are you all right?”
“I’m just fine. Nothing happened.” The feel of her arms around me was comforting. Shivering, I darted a look in Rafael’s direction. His face was pensive, studying my aunt. The fact a soldier had given up the beach house address to anyone would likely mean his dismissal.
Or worse.
Then again, my aunt could be very convincing.
Sighing, she leaned back, turning her attention immediately toward him, her gaze harsh at first. “I must say that you are much better looking in person than on the television. I understand that you were responsible for taking care of my beautiful niece.”
He nodded, his eyes as penetrating as always. “Protecting her is part of my job.”
“Your job. You make love sound like it’s painful,” Lucia answered. “Well, for me it sadly is.” She laughed and took my hands into hers. “I won’t keep you, my sweet girl, but I wanted to let you know I was back in town and I needed to bring you some news from America that you deserve to hear.”
“News?” I shifted my gaze once again in his direction.
“About your stepfather and before you say anything, I agree that he should rot in rat-infested sewers, but you need to know this.”
“Okay.” I honestly wasn’t prepared for what I was about to hear.
“Wallace has been arrested.”
“What?” I whispered, a knot forming in my stomach. What the hell could that mean?
“Yes. That bastard is going to prison. I have a source who tells me that for some reason the police started looking into his background finally realizing what a pig he truly is. And...” she faltered, taking a deep breath as she turned her head back in Rafael’s direction. “He’s being charged with Lily’s murder.” Her eyes darted back and forth across mine as she waited for my reaction.
I could feel Rafael tensing, his breath coming in scattered pants. My God. He’d actually listened to me.
Tears instantly sprang to my eyes, a tightness in my throat forming. I knew instinctively that instead of having Wallace killed, Rafael had decided on a fate quite frankly worse than death. Cops never lasted long in the prison