Chapter 28

Raelyn’s POV

A quite shot rang out and Rafael dove Infront of me to protect me his body shielding mine as we hit the terrace floor. My scream died in my throat strangled by the force of his body on top of mine, crushing the air from my lungs.

My hands scrabbled against the cold stone but Rafael didn't notice that. He rolled us behind the low wall edging the terrace, he drew out his gun as his hands tightened around my waist.

"Stay down!" Rafael hissed,his voice was sharp and his body tensed like a predator waiting to strike. His eyes glared between the shadows as his finger curled on the trigger.

I tried to breath but my chest felt like it was being crushed by invisible hands. The scarred man had already escaped, vanishing in the dark, leaving nothing but a fear in me.

"Who was that Rafael?" I gasped,my voice trembling as I risked a glance over the wall. My eyes darted from one shadow to another bracing myself for another bullet in the air but all I got was an eerie silence.

"I don't know!" Rafael growled his jaw clenched so tightly that it might break. All I did was ask a simple question and he gets agitated and acts like an asshole.

He sighed loudly. "But I'm damn sure,he is not one of Rossi men. I would have recognized him if he was one of them but I have never seen if especially with that scar".

The way he said made me shiver. He knew something I didn't but again, what did I know? I knew nothing about his family or his past. I was like a picture in this criminal mansion.

The villa doors bursted open banging against the door as Matteo appeared with a gun in his hand, his eyes were sharp and wild scanning every corner.

"Rafael! What happened here? You heard the shot or was it you who fired?"

"No!" Rafael snapped, hauling me to my feet in one pull,his arms still tightened on my waist. Then he said,"But we have got a problem. There was a single shooter,he has a scar on his face and carried a silenced gun. He is gone now but he won't have gone that far"

Matteo didn't flinch,he raised his walkie talkie radio barking orders to guards with the same sharp authority like Rafael.

" Lock down the perimeter. No one in or out,we have a guest. Check the south and tree line ASAP! Now move!"

Men's voice were heard through the walkie talkie muttering responses their feet pounding on the ground outside as they rushed to obey.

Matteo glanced at me briefly,his expression softening for a moment. "Are you Okay Raelyn?"

I nodded though my knees were trembling so violently I wasn't sure I could stand without Rafael holding me. My mind was still spinning from everything that was going on from soft candlelight kisses to bullets in seconds.

Rafael grip on me tightened, pulling me close Until I could feel the harsh beating of his heart beneath his chest. He pressed his lips softly against my head,his voice was low vibrating against my skin as he muttered. "I will make sure no one touch you Tesoro! No one,I swear it!"

Those words should have soothed me, brought me peace or relief but I couldn't shake the chill I felt when that man's cold eyes fixed on me like he had been waiting an entire life for that moment, to kill me on sight.

all I could think about was Dante’s warning. His voice kept ringing through my mind, sly and sharp

You think Rafael can protect you forever? You’re not the only one he’s made promises to.

Was this connected? Was Dante right? Could he be behind this?

Rafael didn’t release me until we were inside the bedroom. His movements were sharp, controlled, but I could feel the storm raging beneath his facade he put.

He locked the door with a snap, sliding the bolt home. The sound was final, like we were sealing ourselves inside forever.

Then he turned to me his hands framed my face, his palms were rough and hot against my skin. The roughness in his body broke for just a heartbeat, replaced by desperation. “Raelyn,” he said, his was voice raw, “I can’t lose you. Not to Rossi and certainly not to some bastard with a gun. You’re everything to me and I'll live my life proving that to you"

The force of his words crashed into me. Was it love, obsession or desperation?. I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

I covered his hands with mine, my fingers trembling against his. “I’m here,” I whispered. My voice wavered, betraying my fear. “But Rafael… this can’t keep happening. I can’t keep living like this scared everyday, running, hiding. Wondering if every shadow is coming for me.”

His eyes darkened, something fierce sparking there. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “You’re mine. Do you understand me? I’ll burn this whole damn country down before I let anyone take you from me.”

Then he kissed me hard consuming my whole being. His lips claimed mine with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. His hand tangled in my hair, his other gripping my waist, pulling me flush against him like he could fuse me to his skin. The kiss was both soft and rough at the same time and I was helpless against it.

I kissed him back, even as my mind screamed with contradictions. He made me feel everything all at once, and it was terrifying.

When we finally broke apart, breathless, his forehead rested against mine. His breath was ragged and his voice was rough. “I’ll find him. I’ll find whoever did this, and they’ll pay for even breathing in your direction.”

I nodded, my throat was tight and words seemed to be stuck by the intensity of his vow.

Then we heard a knock and we both froze.

Rafael’s hand shot to his gun again drawing it out. He opened the door and Sofia stood there. Her face was pale, her eyes were wide with fear.

“Raelyn. Rafael.” Her voice trembled. “They found something in the vineyard. A note pinned to a tree.”

My stomach dropped. “A note?”

Sofia swallowed hard, her hand shaking as she held out a crumpled piece of paper. “It’s addressed to you, Raelyn.”

Again?!

My blood ran cold as I reached for it, my fingers barely able to unfold the page. The handwriting was jagged .

My heart hammered so loud I could barely hear my own voice when I read aloud, each word felt heavier than the last.

“You can’t hide forever, Raelyn.”

The paper slipped from my fingers, fluttering to the floor. My knees threatened to give out.

Rafael snatched it up, his jaw clenched, fury radiating from him in waves. His eyes darkened as he read the words again and again, like he could tear meaning out of them.

I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, my lungs struggling for air.

This wasn’t just about Rafael’s war anymore but mine!