Rafael's POV
The whole ride to her apartment she sat on my lap. She was so worried about being pulled over but I kissed her on the head and told her I'm Rafael Santigo "The Shiv" Montez.... law enforcement takes one look at me and bows their heads. My father is a very powerful man with deep connections. The law doesn't interfere with business or pleasure because we pay them handsomely and support their fundraisers with donations. As I pull into a parking space and turn off the car, she wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. I do the same and after a few minutes she lets go.
"Thank you." She lowers her gaze. Tsk tsk tsk... this will not do. I grab her chin and make her look at me.
"Don't ever hide those eyes from me. I wanna see those beautiful gems every chance I get." I watch her cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink and grin. Everything about her... everything she does or says draws me closer to her. Makes me want her more. She's becoming my drug and I'm a very needy and impatient addict who will never get enough of a fix.
I knew she would be addicting. I want her more and more every day. She consumes my thoughts. I can hardly concentrate on anything else. My brothers make lewd comments about her but they know to keep their distance. Dont get me wrong, I trust my brothers around her. I know she would be safe with them. I know they wouldn't try anything with her... they know, brother or not, I would break every bone in their body if they did. They just like to fuck with me because they know for me, she is that one particular button you don't want to push.
She is mine. Only mine... and no one touches what's mine. She's a real mans perfect woman. Small but feisty, beautiful and yet a little insecure... her body is toned and soft with skin as smooth as silk. She attracts trouble anywhere she goes. Men gawk at her and make dirty comments... let them. They can talk shit all they want, look all they want, but you disrespect or attempt to touch my kitten and you deal with The Shiv.
"Rafael?" She says pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Yes kitten?"
"Are you okay? You seemed to be thinking pretty deep there. I could smell your brain cooking from here." She giggles and it sets every nerve in my body on fire. I kiss her on the nose and nod. She gets out of the car and straightens her dress but I scoop her up and she squeals from the surprise.
"I'll walk you to your door." I wink.
"I can walk on my own you know."
"I know." I smile, ignoring her hint to put her down. She's so light I hardly break a sweat carrying her up the stairs.
"So you're just gonna keep walking and ignore that piece of information?"
"Yep." I said, making her giggle and feeling my addiction grow ever deeper. When we get to her door, my phone rings. I put her down and see the caller ID read - Javi - ... I answer.
"Yeah?"
"Get down to the warehouse now!
Someone took all our guns!"
"What!?"
"That's not all, just get down here now!"
"I'll be there in five." I hang up and see worry plastered on her face.
"What's wrong?" She asks putting her hand on my arm. I sighed.... not yet kitten. I can't tell you yet.
"That was Javier. My dad needs some help." I give her a quick smile and slide my phone back in my pocket.
"Maybe I can help." The thought of her getting mixed up in this made my chest ache. I dont like liars... yes I'm lying to her now but I dont know how she will react when I tell her Im the heir to The Montez Mafia. I run illegal guns and have enemies that would use, torture and kill you just because you're with me. She just agreed to be mine. I dont want to lose her.
"Get some sleep kitten. I'll see you at work tomorrow." I kiss her on the head and make a quick exit before she could protest.
- At The Warehouse -
I go inside and the place is trashed. All our guns are gone.... FUCK! Javier runs up to me out of breath.
"Took you long enough."
"Did you check the CCTV footage? The extra cameras? Where were the fucking gaurds!?"
"The gaurds are dead. The CCTV footage was deleted and all the other cameras were destroyed. Whoever did this knew what they were doing but, that's not the worst of it." He sighed.
"All our guns are gone! That shipment is due by the end of the month! We dont have anything that could even remotely point us in the right direction for who could have done this... how could it possibly get worse Javier!?" I shout. He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolds it and hands it to me.
Rafael,
You can't protect her forever. The moment I saw her, I wanted her. We have the same taste, you and I. Give her to me and not only will I give you your guns, but I'll let you and your family keep your pathetic little lives. Keep her from me and I will show you no mercy. Starting with your family, then your business. Choose wisely.
"We found that note stapled to this." He hands me a picture of me and Isadora at the restaurant. They spied on me? Whoever this is must not know who the fuck I am! I am The motherfucking Shiv! I dont take threats to my family or my kitten lightly.
"Where's dad?" I ask impatiently.
"Right here hijo. (Son) Dont worry, I will get Jacob to investigate this. We will find whoever did this." He assures me.
"What about Isadora? I dont want her mixed up in this but, I'm not giving her up either."
"She can stay with us. I'm sure your mother will have no objections. Especially after she hears about this. In fact, I'm sure she would insist. Plus Mirella would love having Isadora at the house." He smiles.
"If shes moving in, she's gonna want to know why. You can't hide it from her forever Raf. You have to tell her." Javier said frustrated.
"He's right Rafael. This isn't something to be taken lightly. If you really care about her... if you are sure she is all you'll ever want, then you need to be honest with her. If there is any shred of doubt, all we can do is protect her from a distance as best we can. We can't risk her knowing if you aren't sure about her." My father said placing a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Javi, give me a minute with dad. Call the others and inform them." I ordered. He nodded and jogged off. "Dad, how did you know mom was the one?" I ask, earning a laugh.
"When I looked at any other woman, I didn't feel anything like what I felt for your mother. She stole my heart and soul and I never want them back from her. They are hers forever. I knew she loved me just as much as I loved her. So one day I took a chance and told her the truth... that I was head of The Montez Mafia and she didn't even bat an eye. Right then it was confirmed that your mother was the only woman for me. Is this how you feel about Isadora?" He asked. I sigh and nod. It was an instant connection. One minute, I was thinking about fucking Brianna, then I see my kitten and Brianna became some disgusting whore who makes my skin crawl. Just the thought of her touching me again makes me want to scrub myself with bleach. Within mere minutes and just one look, this girl has flipped my world, my thoughts and my heart upside-down. "You love her, don't you son?" He asked gently.
"It's too early to think like that." I said brushing him off.
"Love doesn't have a time schedule Rafael. If you feel love for someone, no matter how deep or light the feeling is, it's still love." He said.
"Yes." I answered.
"Yes what?"
"I love her."
"Then tell her the truth hijo. (Son) If she feels the same way, she won't run from you. She'll embrace you and stand by your side. And if she does that then marry her cause she would be insane to even consider that." We laughed. Suddenly Javier ran into the room screaming.
"Dad get down!"
I look behind me and see three men with guns pointed at us. I push my dad out of the way and take a bullet in the shoulder. Fuck that hurts! I can feel the bullet lodged in the muscle with every move. Not the first time I've been shot. Javi shoots two of them in the head and I take my blade from my shoe and throw it. It easily wedges itself in that assholes temple, making him immediately fall to the ground.
"Rafael! Javier call your brothers! Tell them to meet us at the hospital now!" My dad screams as he rushed to my side, putting his hand over the wound to stop the bleeding.
"Dad I'm fine, its just in the shoulder." I wince when he pressed too hard. "Get Isadora to the house. Make sure she's safe." Javier came running back.
"They're on the way." He says shoving his phone back in his pocket.
"Go find Isadora. Take her to the house. She does not leave your sight!" Dads orders echoed off the warehouse walls.
"Yes father." Javier nods.
"Take my car. Her address is in the GPS. She's in apartment number 104." I said tossing him my keys. He nodded and left.
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