Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Raelyn’s POV

“Did you hear that?”

My whisper left my lips before the scrape came again—the harsh sound of gravel splitting the silence.

Rafael’s head snapped toward the window. His body tensed, every muscle tightened like a predator about to strike. He didn’t have to answer me as the sound had already changed everything.

The curtains stirred with the harsh night breeze, and an icy shiver ran down my spine. Every instinct screamed that someone or something was out there. My heart thudded in my chest, so loud I was sure he could hear it.

Rafael was already moving. The gun was in his hand, his steps silent as he crossed the room. He peered through the small gap in the curtain, jaw clenched tight, eyes scanning the courtyard below. I watched him, breathing. The air felt thick, alive with danger.

“Stay here,” he ordered, voice low. That tone — firm, commanding—wasn’t a request.

But I couldn’t just stay still. Not when fear coiled inside me and I knew my life was in danger. Whoever is out there is here for me.

I slid out of bed, my bare feet parading across the cold floor. When he turned, his sharp eyes pinned on me.

“I’m not letting you go alone,” I whispered, voice trembling but steady. "I may know what is going on, Rafael! It's my life on the line. "

Something flickered in his eyes before it vanished behind his soldier’s mask. He gave a curt nod and reached for my hand, pulling me behind him as we slipped into the hall.

Shadow surrounded the villa; only the dim lights along the corridor offered a little brightness.

We moved down the staircase, our breaths shallow, the silence too unbearable for me. Then the sound came again, but closer now. Like slow gravel shifting.

My pulse jumped. I thought of the scarred man, the note and Dante’s warning:

You’re not the only one he’s made promises to.

A chill ran through me.

We reached the back, and Mateo was already there, his pistol drawn and eyes sharp under the faint light.

“Heard it too,” he muttered, glancing at Rafael. “Lorenzo is checking the east wing and Sofia is with the guards.”

Rafael gave a single nod, his hand finding mine, and tightened his grip. “Stay behind me,” he growled.

This time, I obeyed.

We approached the courtyard doors. The night looked still. Then, I saw a movement near the fountain.

“There,” I breathed, pointing my finger toward the fountain.

Rafael followed my gaze as he lifted his gun. His entire body tensed like steel.

“Show yourself,” he commanded.

A figure emerged, and it was a woman.

Dark hair slicked back, and knowing lips curving into a smile that made my stomach twist. She held no weapon, but danger radiated from her body like perfume.

“Rafael,” she purred. Her voice was smooth, tinged with an accent I couldn’t place. “It’s been a while.”

Rafael froze. His jaw locked. The hand gripping mine tightened until it hurt.

“Valentina,” he said, his sharp low voice,was laced with something that made my chest tighten.

Was it anger, memory or guilt?

My heart dropped. Valentina?

Dante’s words echoed in my head again. You’re not the only one he’s made promises to."

Was she the promise?

Valentina stepped forward, her smile widening. “I heard about Rossi,” she said lightly. “ I thought you might need me like old times.”

Rafael’s expression hardened. “There are no old times,Valentina” he bit out. “Get out.”

She laughed softly, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “You don’t mean that,” she said. “ especially not after everything we’ve been through.”

Her eyes flicked to me . “She is the reason you’re in this mess, isn’t she? Poor little Raelyn,is dragging you down.”

My chest clenched. So they had history together? I kept telling myself maybe he had changed but not! Once a liar always a liar.

“Enough,” Rafael growled, stepping forward. “You don’t get to say her name.”

Valentina’s smirk didn’t falter. She tilted her head slightly, and that’s when I saw shadows moving behind her. Not one but several.

They were armed men!

Rafael’s whole body shifted. “Raelyn,” he barked, his voice sharp. “Get back inside.”

But my feet refused to move. My mind spun, frozen between fear and confusion.

Mateo’s gun went off a warning shot splitting the night. The men scattered instantly, melting back into darkness. But Valentina didn’t flinch.

She looked at Rafael with cold certainty. “You can’t run from this,” she hissed. “Not from me.”

And then she was gone.

The backyard fell silent again, empty but charged with tension so thick it hurt to breathe.

Rafael grabbed my hand, yanking me inside. The door slammed behind us, echoing through the hall . My body trembled uncontrollably.

“Who was she?” I demanded,my voice breaking. “Who is Valentina, Rafael?”

He didn’t answer. His face was pale, eyes haunted like ghosts from his past had finally found him.

Then another voice broke through the silence.

“Yeah, Rafael,” Dante said from the shadows, his tone mocking. “Why don’t you tell her about Valentina?”

My heart stopped.

Rafael’s head snapped toward him, eyes blazing, his gun raised high again. "Shut up Fottuto bastardo!

But Dante didn't even flinch,he stepped forward close to Rafael and the moment he opened his mouth, he cut through the fragile hope I had clung too the entire night.

“Why don’t you tell her about Valentina?”

He stood in front, arms crossed,a smirk playing on his lips like he had been waiting for this exact moment. His presence radiated danger like a poison I couldn't ignore.

Rafael’s hand tightened on mine, His eyes flashed fury and something darker coiling in them, something I had never seen before. Not when he had faced Rossi. Not when he had executed enemies without hesitation. This was guilt.

“Get out, Dante,” Rafael said, low, dangerous, each word was a warning. “This isn’t your business.”

“Oh, it’s my business,” Dante shot back, stepping closer, his eyes flicking toward me with that sharp mixture of pity and disdain.

“She deserves to know who she’s sleeping next to. Don’t you think, Raelyn?”