FIFTY - FIVE

FIFTY - FIVE
RAFFAELE

Three days later.
This was the fifth—or sixth?—night I have spent with Celestia during her entire stay and woke up with her in my arms. She felt completely comfortable in my presence now, and it felt like one of the biggest triumphs in my life to have her big dark eyes look up at me with trust. It took me some time to realize how incredibly important she was to me, but I could not precisely transfuse into words.
All I needed was that brilliant sunshine smile and innocent bambi eyes blinking at me.
“Can you come back a little early today?” she requested as I leaned into her and kissed her lips. While I was all dressed up for the day, Celestia was still under the covers and leaden with sleep.
I would not blame her, though. I had kept her awake for most of the night, and in the end, she hardly had anything left.
Business meetings have never felt this morning. In the conference room, tons of slides came and went, but I could not concentrate on any one of them. There was only one face that popped in and out of my mind driving me to the point of madness.
Fuck, Celestia. You would be the death of me one day. I had lost my way with her, and she was so deep into my skin that it was impossible not to feel it within me.
Wrapping up the day’s events, I rushed back to the villa to keep up with the promise I gave Celestia. Besides, I did not want to let go of any chance to spent time with her. We fell into a beautiful routine, and there was no way I was breaking the goddamn thing that which made her happy. As long as she was smiling, nothing else mattered.
The second my car rolled through the gates and pulled up in front of the villa, I dashed out and made my way into the house. Not that I was late or anything, but I was too fucking impatient to see her.
“Rafe, Rafe,” Amadeo’s voice stopped me in my track as I spun around. He jogged his way to me, almost breathless. “I have been looking for you. Come to the office,” he requested with a measuring look.
“Amadeo, I just got off from a long conference,” I sounded like a whiny person. “And I have promised Celestia I would come back early. Can this wait until tomorrow?”
He shook his head determinedly as I noted the worried expression on his face.” I am afraid it can’t wait.”
He was always the most carefree person in the world and knowing he looks tense, I tensed a little. “What is going on?” I demanded.
“Kyla is here.” Fuck. And that is not all. She had wired the rest of the seven and half million into our accounts.”
No, no, no.
“Impossible.” This cannot be happening now. No fucking way.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “At first, I thought she was playing us for a fool. There was no way she could get hold of such an amount within such short notice. But it does not look like she is bluffing.”
Insane possessiveness clouded my vision. Call me a hypocrite or a crazy person, but I was ready to let go of Celestia. And that too with a shady woman like her. I did not give a flying fucking if she raised her.
“She is not taking Celestia anywhere,” I growled.
Amadeo placed a palm to my chest, trying to calm me down. What he did not understand was the roiling storm and thunder rumbling under my skin. “Listen, I have held her off in the office building because I don’t want Celestia to come face to face with her. Not until we settle the matter. So let’s go in there and deal with it.”
“Okay.”
Anger filled me with every step as we marched towards the building. Whenever it came down to Kyla Donovan, my anger barely contained itself. She has this talent of bringing out the worst of me, except she did not know what kind of a ruthless animal I could be.
“Rafe,” Amadeo stopped me and whispered, “No matter what, do not get provoked by her. At least for the sake of Celestia.”
That did the trick.
The mere mention of her name calmed a little as I nodded briskly and pushed through the door.
“Mr. Roselli.” The bitch flashed one of her fake smiles. “You came alone? I was under the impression that you would be bringing my daughter along with you.” Her eyes flitted to Amadeo momentarily. “Never mind. Let’s get the formalities out of the way first.”
“Cut the bullshit,” I snarled. “Who did you con this time for the money?”
The pretentious smile dropped as her clinical appearance surfaced. Adjusting the side of her glasses, she cleared her throat and tapped the long, fake nails against the armrest. “I don’t want to be rude, but it’s none of your business, Mr. Roselli. And as far as you and I are concerned, I am paid up. Full fifteen million.” Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a file and dropped it on the table. “Now, let’s sign the paperwork, and I will be on my merry way and out of your hair. And Celestia too.”
Amadeo and I shared a look before picking up the file. “What is this?” I asked, flipped through the pages. Legal documents? Was she fucking kidding me?
“Did you really think I’d just give you the money without a contract?” The smirk pasted on her face told me that she had come prepared. “You got whatever you wanted. It is time you release me from the debt.”
Reading through the file, my eyes caught a stipulation I could not believe she put in the contract.
“What the fucking clause is this?”
Curious, Amadeo took the file from and recited away the gist. “It says none of us can ever come near Celestia under any circumstances.” He looked up, bewildered, demanding an answer from her.
“Oh yes, I had my lawyer put a small clause for my daughter’s safety, you know. In case you try and take her away once again.” The nasty look on her made it evident that she did this for her selfish purpose.
“Bullshit. You can’t do this!” I snapped.
“Why can’t I?” She challenged, matching my bristled temper.
Before I could answer, Amadeo jumped in. “For starters, she is above eighteen years old and an adult. She can take her decision.”
Throwing her head back, Kyla laughed wickedly. More like, she was mocking us. “And I am her mother and guardian. As long as I live, my decision overlooks her life and choices for that matter.”
Slamming the file on the desk, I slowly tapped into the anger blinding me. This woman was not worth any attention. “I have a feeling you haven’t done your homework, Mrs. Donovan,” I told her in a calm voice. “If you think a piece of paper will stop me from getting what I want, you are sorely mistaken. If Celestia ever wants to see me, she would, and I will fucking make sure of it.”
Kyla nodded and slowly rose from the seat. “Have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome, Mr. Roselli? The severe psychological condition between a captor and captive, leading to some kind of sick relationship developed between them.”
My hands balled into fists, and if it was not for my brother holding me back, I would have killed. Woman or not, I did not fucking care at that point.
“Go ahead,” I gritted through my clenched jaw. “Try and stop me if I ever want to see your daughter.”
Kyla Donovan has no clue as to the power I held over this city. The power and influence of three generations ran through my veins and was more potent than any drug. I would call out her favour and bring hell on her if she so much as tries and stop Celestia from seeing me.
Only one person could stop me from seeing Celestia, and it was she herself.
“You are right. Maybe I wouldn’t be able to stop you, but I can stop her. I can even take her out of Las Vegas, out of your reach. You would be fooling yourself if you’d think I won’t. I have kept Celestia hidden for twenty years, I could do another twenty if I want.”
“Give us a moment,” Amadeo cut into me and signalled a man outside to have her wait in another room as he shut the door.
“No way! I am not letting go of Celestia!” I roared the moment he turned to me.
“Rafe, just listen to me for a second.” Even though I continued to shake my head, he went on. “Kyla is a vindictive woman who would go to any length to harm Celestia.”
“So what? I give in to her fucking demands?”
“There is always another way to look at things.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “If we let her go now, Kyla would not go the length of moving Celestia out of the city within such a short time. Besides, I will have two men keep an eye on her, just to be sure.”
“This is a suicide, Amadeo,” I warned.
“I know,” he acquiesced. “But I know you, and I know the things you could do for Celestia. Trust me - we will protect her no matter what.”


What do you think will happen next?