system, especially dirty cops. I was pitched into another state of fantasyland, although this time there was a warrior in the background, one who’d slain the dragon.
Rafael...
“Don’t cry, sweetie. That bastard is going to get what’s coming to him,” Lucia said as she gripped my shoulders. “You can be free of the demon, finally living your life, enjoying the man who so obviously loves you.”
“You think he loves me?” I asked as I wiped my eyes.
Aunt Lucia shook her head. “I know his reputation, my sweet girl. I’ve lived here long enough to realize who truly controls the country. Don’t allow all the propaganda you hear on the news to fool you. While the world sees the Galicia mafia as bad seeds, I know there is always another side, especially for a man in love.”
My skin was extra sensitive, my mind foggy. “What about the galleria?”
She wrinkled her nose. “You always have a job working with me. I could really use you. Elena is leaving so I truly need help.”
“I’ll think about it,” I half whispered.
She kissed my forehead, easing a strand of hair from my face. “You remind me so much of your mother. She had such a wonderful spirit, a quiet strength that allowed her to follow her heart. Don’t allow your stepfather to take that away from you.”
I gripped her arms, squeezing as I thought about her words. “I won’t.”
“Whatever you decide, come see me. We should all have dinner. My treat.” Aunt Lucia winked at Rafael. “Take care of my niece. She deserves happiness.”
“That I can promise you,” he said, his statement sounding so official.
A sly smile formed on her face, her beautiful green eyes sparkling. “I think spending time around my art did you some good.”
“Meaning?”
She merely nodded toward the kitchen before walking to the door. Even as the warm flush crept up to my cheeks, every part of me tingled all over again. She’d seen the implements.
“Remember, both of you, that life is short.” Her final words were cathartic.
Rafael trailed behind her to the door, no doubt arming the security system. When he walked back, his beautiful blue eyes bore into mine. “She is very... interesting.”
I laughed as I inched closer. “The complete opposite of my mother.”
He took me into his arms, pulling me against his chest. “When are you leaving?”
The question was so out of the blue, his voice rippled with such anguish that I didn’t want to formulate an answer. I didn’t want to face what had been agonizing for days. “You know this can’t last. You don’t need a weakness.”
“That’s not what I asked you.” There was no emotion in his voice, merely a matter-of-fact question. He was so cold even though the sizzle of his body, the way his hard cock pushed hard against my belly was the same. The armor had been locked down, the key pitched away. I’d stolen a part of his heart that he would never recover from.
“I... I don’t know.”
Rafael closed his eyes, lowering his head very slowly.
I lifted mine, wanting nothing more than to feel the touch of his lips, the taste of him. When he merely kissed me on the cheek, breaking our connection and walking toward the back door, the loss was tremendous, gut-wrenching. I reached out, wanting nothing more than to call out to him, but I had no idea what to say.
Or how to make this work.
I felt shattered inside, incapable of processing anything else.
I watched as he leaned over the railing, studying the ocean as if it were a lifeline. I wanted to be that lifeline. Gathering what courage I had left, I walked outside, moving to within a few inches. The view was perhaps the most incredible location I’d ever seen. Could I make this my home? “I’m sorry, Rafael. I love you with my entire heart, but I know that your business is what you have to concentrate on and I respect that. I refuse to be a burden or a distraction.” I studied his pensive face, even wondering if he’d heard a word.
After a few seconds, he still remained quiet, his eyes never blinking.
Tears were the bane of my existence. I’d promised myself that after Lily’s death I’d never shed another one, but this man had broken through all my defenses. He’d seen me at my worst, a woman almost crumbling under the pressure of trying to be someone she wasn’t. I was such a fool.
I slipped away from the rail, biting back the deep sorrow.