Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Raelyn’s POV

“You think Rafael can protect you forever, Raelyn? You’re not the only one he’s made promises to.” His voice was a low growl, his eyes glinting with something dark... resentment maybe, or worse.

He stood in the library’s doorway, blocking my only exit, his broad frame casting a shadow that filled the entire room.

My heart pounded, my hands gripping the armrests of the chair as I tried to keep my voice steady.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, forcing the words out despite the tremor in my chest. My mind raced, remembering his earlier phone call, the hushed Italian saying Rafael can’t know.

Was he talking about me? About someone else?

Dante stepped closer, his boots thudding softly on the floor, his gaze never leaving mine. “It means you’re not as special as you think,” he said, his voice was cold.

“Rafael has got a habit of promising things he can’t deliver. You’re just the latest in a long line.”

My stomach twisted with a mix of anger and doubt surging through me. “You’re lying,” I said, standing, my hands clenched at my sides. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Stop playing games.”

He smirked, but it was bitter, devoid of humor. “Games? You’re the one playing housewife in a world you don’t understand. You think you know Rafael? You don’t know half of what he’s done or who he’s done it for.”

Those words hit like a slap, and I felt a pang of jealousy in me . Was there someone else? Someone before me?

I pushed the thought away, focusing on the threat in front of me. “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not working,” I lied, my voice came out firmer than I felt.

“Rafael trusts me. He will never let you hurt me.”

Dante’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might lunge and attack me.

But he just leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Trust? That’s a ridiculous word around here, Raelyn. You might want to ask yourself who you’re really trusting.”

Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Sofia burst in, her eyes were wide with concern. “Raelyn? I heard...” She stopped, her gaze flicking between me and Dante . The tension in the room was palpable . “Dante, what the hell are you doing?”

He straightened his back, his smirk fading, but he didn’t look away from me. “Just having a chat, Sofia. No need to get your panties in a twist.”

“Get out,” she snapped, stepping between us, her petite frame full with defiance. “Now.”

Dante held her gaze for a moment, then shrugged, turning for the door. “Your funeral,” he muttered, his words directed at me as he left, the door clicking shut behind him.

I exhaled, my knees trembling as I sank back into the chair. Sofia turned to me, her hands on her hips. “What was that about? He looked like he was about to...”

“I don’t know,” I cut in, my voice shaking. “He’s been like this all day saying I’m a problem, that I’m making Rafael weak. And I overheard him earlier, on the phone, talking about ‘dealing with the problem.’ Sofia, I think he means me.”

Her eyes widened, but she shook her head. “Dante is a hothead, but he wouldn’t… I mean, he’s family. He’s loyal to Rafael.”

“Is he?” I asked, my voice was sharp. “Because it doesn’t feel like it. Not after last night, not after what he just said.”

Sofia bit her lip, she looked torn. “I’ll talk to Marco. Maybe he knows what’s going on with Dante. But Raelyn, you need to tell Rafael. If Dante’s planning something...”

“I will,” I said, though the thought made my stomach churn. Rafael was already busy dealing with Rossi’s crew, and after last night’s kiss, I’d seen a glimpse of the man I wanted to believe in. But Dante’s words had planted a seed of doubt, and I had no idea what I'm going to do.

The rest of the day I stayed close to Sofia, avoiding the west wing where Dante was.

When Rafael returned that evening, his face was pale and his eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but they softened when he saw me waiting in the living room.

He crossed the room in two strides, pulling me into his arms, his lips brushing my forehead.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice was rough but warm, his hands cupping my face.

I nodded, though my heart was racing. I wanted to tell him about Dante, about the phone call, but the weight of his arms around me, the memory of last night’s kiss, made me hesitate. “Just… glad you’re back,” I said, leaning into him.

He smiled, a rare, unguarded curve of his lips, made my heart flutter. “Come with me,” he said, taking my hand. “I need you tonight.”

He led me to the terrace, where a small table was set with candles and wine. It was simple and intimate, a gesture that felt like an apology for the chaos of our lives. We sat close his hand never leaving mine, and for a while, we talked about simple little things.

His laughter was so soothing, calming my nerves, and when he leaned across the table to kiss me, soft and deliberate, I melted into it, the world seemed to be fading away.

But as we pulled back, his eyes darkened, a possessive edge creeping in. “You’re mine, Raelyn,” he murmured, his thumb brushing my lip. “No one’s taking you from me. Not Rossi, not anyone.”

The intensity in his voice sent a shiver through me. I nodded, my heart was torn between love and fear, and as we stood to return inside, a shadow moved at the corner of the terrace. There was a figure, watching us from the darkness.

“Rafael,” I whispered, my voice trembling as the figure stepped into the light, revealing a face I didn’t recognize. It was a man with a scar across his jaw, his eyes were cold and calculating. “Who’s that?”

Rafael’s body tensed, his hand dropping to the gun at his waist. “Stay behind me,” he growled, just as the man raised a silenced pistol and fired.