And there, on the floor beneath the moonlight, with him deep inside my body, fucking me slow and deep, I let my walls come crashing down.
Fighting it is pointless.
I think I’m falling in love with Rafael Lencioni.
CHAPTER 14
RAFAEL
The cold steel of my gun presses to the man’s temple and he squirms, his eyes bulging, sweat trickling down his skin and over my hand that’s wrapped around his throat. I don’t usually do the dirty work, but someone is messing with my family and my shipments. Someone took the lives of those I consider the closest to me and mine. I’m more than ready to get my hands dirty.
“I don’t know anything.” He gasps, his face going a dark shade of purple.
“Everyone knows something,” I growl. “You’re just not telling me what it is you know.”
“I swear,” he wheezes. “I know nothing.”
“Then you’re of no use to me.”
I start to put pressure on the trigger when he caves, his voice a broken tremble. “Okay, look, I have no names, but someone paid another person off for the information on the shipment because they could sell it for more. I don’t know who and I don’t know why.”
“Someone meaning a person I have trusted at some point,” I say, my voice deadly calm and icy.
“I believe an inside job.” The man chokes. “Someone who knew all the inside information, or had a way of getting it.”
“There are at least twenty people who know that—narrow it down.”
“I don’t know,” he cries. “God dammit, I don’t know. All I know is someone gave the information away.”
“How did you find that out?”
“I . . . I overheard talking.”
“Names,” I bark.
“I don’t . . .”
I slam the butt of the gun into his temple and hiss, “Names.”
“I was at the offices up town—they were whispering about it.”
Offices up town.
Where Julietta’s father works.
“What else?”
“That’s it,” he wheezes. “I swear.”
“And you didn’t think to come to me with this information the minute you got it? I could have saved my men.”
“I,” he stammers. “I . . . I didn’t . . .”
“Their blood is on your hands, and now your blood is on mine.”
I pull the trigger.
I have no time for people like him.
~*~*~*~
JULIETTA
“Mr. Walters, if you’ll just sit still, I can change your bandage,” I say, placing my arm on the old squirming man’s bony shoulder, trying to get him still enough for me to take care of him.
“No,” he barks. “No, be gone, demon.”
Did I mention he’s whacked?
“My name is Julietta, and I’m just trying to tend to you, sir. If you’ll sit still, we can be quick. Stop that squirming; we don’t want you to tear your stitches.”
He picks up a glass of water and thrusts it at me, as if I’m going to instantly burst into flames. “Back, demon!” he bellows.
Screw this. I page Jacob; he needs to take care of this man. Five minutes later, Jacob strolls in, smiling at me. Why is he always smiling? Honestly, there must be something seriously wrong with him. Nobody is that happy all the time. “What can I do for you, Julie?”
“I’m having trouble changing Mr. Walters’ bandages. He’s convinced I’m Satan and I’m trying to take him to hell.”
Jacob chuckles. “Allow me. He’s been in here before.”
He steps into the space I was just occupying and looks at Mr. Walters. “I’m going to change your bandage now, Mr. Walters,” he says calmly.
Mr. Walters glares at me and I sigh, stepping out as Jacob does his thing.
Ten minutes later, he exits the room and smiles at me. “It would seem he has a problem with women.” He steps closer. “I don’t know why, considering you’re so beautiful.”
I flush and step back. “Ah, thanks.”
“Listen, I’ve been wanting to ask you out since I dropped you home a while back. Would you consider going on a date with me?”
I open my mouth, then close it. “Look, Jacob, I’m kind of seeing someone . . .”
A look that bothers me flashes across his eyes, but he forces a smile. “Of course. Well if that goes wrong, perhaps you’ll consider going out with me?”
“Isn’t that against the hospital policy?”
He grins. “I make the rules; I can break them.”
I frown. “Pretty sure you don’t.”
He loses his smile and steps forward. “I like you, Julie. I’d break all the rules for a chance for us to be together.”
Something about the way he says that creeps me out, so I step back again and give a lame, fake smile. “Right, thanks. I better get back to it.”
“Consider my offer, Julie,” he says, studying my lips.
Ick.
“Julie,” another nurse says as she passes me in a hurry. “We have a patient bleeding and we need to get it wrapped up; you want to sort it?”
“On it,” I say, stepping past Jacob but coming to a complete halt when I see Rafael standing in the emergency waiting room with two women.
Oh. My. God.
He glares at Jacob, and I wonder if he was listening to our conversation? I can’t focus on that long because beside him is an older, exceptionally beautiful woman who I’m assuming is his mother and on his other side, a beautiful woman who I know, I just know, is his wife. My stomach lurches, and I want to vomit. This can’t be happening.
“Julie,” Rafael says, his voice a low, thick rasp. “I wasn’t aware you were working this evening.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat and let my eyes flick to his wife, Maria. She’s got long dark hair that’s braided and thrown over her shoulder. She’s not tall, but she’s slender, and slightly curvy. She’s beautiful. God, what the hell am I doing? I can’t do this. I can’t tend to his mother, who has obviously hurt herself because she’s holding her hand covered in a thick towel. I look around quickly, but everyone is busy.
I close my eyes and focus.
I have to do my job.
“Ah,” I say, my voice shaky. “Yes, I am. What can I do for you?”
His eyes hold mine for a moment before flicking to his mother. “My mother cut her hand preparing dinner. It’s fairly bad.”
I nod and avoid Rafael’s eyes as I step forward and plant a smile on my face. “Hi, Mrs. . . .?” I pretend I don’t know her name, when I do. God, I do.
“Call me Alessandra.”
Her accent is thick, but she speaks gently, kindly. I like her right away.
I smile, for real this time. “That’s a beautiful name. Have a seat and I’ll take a look at your hand.”
She nods and I wave a hand to a free bed in the minor procedure area. They all step in and I pull the curtains to give a bit of privacy. Suddenly, the space feels tiny and I can’t barely breathe. Maria stands beside Rafael but she doesn’t touch him; she just looks thoughtful. His eyes are still on me, and that isn’t helping anything.
I focus on my job and unravel Alessandra’s hand. It’s a nasty cut all right, and without a doubt in need of stitches.
“How did you manage this one?” I ask, gently studying the gash with my gloved hands.
“I was cooking and I slipped with the knife,” she says, an undertone of pain in her voice.
“What were you cooking?” I ask, trying to distract her.
“My signature pasta,” she tells me, her voice full of pride.
“I love pasta,” I say, taking a wipe and cleaning the skin around the wound. “Personally, I really love adding salami to my pasta dishes. I feel it gives it a really—”
“Spicy taste,” she finishes for me. “I think it makes the dish bolder.”
I look up and smile. “Yes, that’s exactly it.”
“A girl that knows how to cook. You have I
talian in your blood?”
I nod. “I know I may not look it, but my father is Italian. His mama used to teach me to cook all the time.”
“A girl who cooks is a keeper.” She grins.
I flush and look up to see Rafael studying me, his eyes intense. Maria is staring at her shoes, not seeming at all bothered by what’s going down. If anything, she looks bored.
I place Alessandra’s hand gently on her lap. “I’ll just call the doctor to stitch this. I won’t be long.”
I exit the curtains and breathe in deeply. I find Jacob and explain to him that I have a patient who may need stitches. With a sickly sweet smile, he follows me back. When we step in, Rafael’s eyes dart to Jacob, and I can see the recognition in Jacob’s eyes right away.
He extends his hand, and Rafael takes it. “My name is Jacob. I’m the doctor on duty tonight.”
Rafael must squeeze hard because Jacob’s face goes red and his lips go tight. “Rafael Lencioni.”
I know Jacob recognizes the name, because his eyes get bigger. “R-r-r-r-right, so, let’s get Mrs. Lencioni fixed up, shall we?”
He tugs his hand from Rafael’s hand and turns to Alessandra, flexing his fingers. I go over the injury and Jacob checks it before giving me the go-ahead to stitch it, before getting the hell out of there. I gather everything I need and then get to work on fixing Alessandra’s hand.
“Pretty girl like you is single, no?” she asks me, and I stiffen.
“Ah,” I say, darting my eyes towards Rafael, who is watching me. “Yes.”
His jaw flexes, but he says nothing. Of course he isn’t going to correct me.
“You need to find yourself a good, solid man,” she advises me. “Take care of you.”
I smile. “Someday I’m sure I will.”
Rafael’s fists clench.
“That nice doctor likes you.”
Rafael makes a grunting sound and says, “Maria, will you go and get us some coffee please?”
Maria still looks bored, but at this she smiles and nods. “Of course.”
Then she’s gone. No protest. Nothing. She just does it.
“The doctor?” Alessandra urges, glancing at me.
“Oh no, he isn’t my type.”
“Too pretty?”
I giggle, not able to stop it escaping my lips. “Yes, far too pretty.”
She smiles. “I don’t like pretty boys either.”
She keeps me laughing the entire time I’m working on her hand, and when she’s done, I patch her up and wash my hands. “You’re all done. Take it easy with those knives.”
She stands. “It is somewhat pleasing to know that I shall should I have another mishap that I can come to here to you, sweet girl.”
“Ma,” Rafael says, a warning in his tone.
“Oh, my boy, I’m just being kind.”
I step forward and place a hand on her shoulder. “You can come visit me at the hospital anytime.”
She beams, giving Rafael a look. “I might just do that. I’d like to get your pasta recipe.”
“Of course, I’d be happy to share it with you.”
“Here’s my phone number,” she says, reaching into her purse and pulling out a piece of paper. “Give me a call and we’ll meet up and exchange.”
I take the paper and smile at her. Then I glance at Rafael. The look he gives me has my body going on high alert. He’s mega pissed. Shit. I’m an idiot. I don’t interact with his family. It’s a rule. I just broke it by telling his mother she could come and get the recipe off me.
My pager goes off, and I’ve never been so thankful for it in my life. “Anyway,” I say. “That’s my cue. Take it easy.”
I rush out before they can say anything else.
I’m in so much trouble.
CHAPTER 15
JULIETTA
I avoid home for as long as possible after my shift, because I know that Rafael will be pissed. I made the ultimate mistake and I should have known better, but his mother was so damned nice. I could hardly reject her; she wouldn’t have understood why and it would have been rude. She might have even been hurt had I snubbed her. God, who am I kidding? Deep down, I think part of me wanted to piss him off and get a reaction.
By the time I arrive at my apartment, he’s rung three times and texted twice. I ignored all of it. I’m not ready to face his wrath.
I open my front door and step inside, and I know he’s here the second the door closes behind me. Men like Rafael radiate a terrifying vibe when they’re in a room. They dominate it. They own it. You know they’re there long before they make their presence known.
“I didn’t mean to,” I say, flicking on the light before he can speak.
He’s sitting on the sofa by the window—that seems to be his favorite place. I have no doubt he knows the exact position in every room to be full on intimidating. He’s got his hands on his knees again, his trademark pose. I shift nervously when he doesn’t say anything. He could yell at me and it wouldn’t be scarier than when he says nothing at all. When Rafael Lencioni says nothing, you know you’re in for it.
“I wasn’t thinking,” I continue, studying him. He’s watching me, his expression devoid of any emotion. “Please don’t be angry at me. I was tired and—”
“You broke my rules.” His voice is like a whip.
“I know and—”
“What did I say would happen if you broke my rules?”
My heart launches into my throat, surprising me. A pain unlike anything I’ve ever felt creeps into my chest, grabbing hold of my heart and squeezing until I feel as if I’m suffocating. Is that heartbreak? Desperation? Fear of losing him? I knew I was developing feelings for Rafael, but I never, not for a second, thought they were as strong as they are. I didn’t realize until the second he said those words, and the idea of losing him was planted firmly into my brain.
“Raf,” I say, shortening his name for the first time ever. “I’m sorry. It was an honest mistake.”
“You’re a liar,” he says, standing. “You knew exactly what you were doing, Julie.”
I flinch. “Please. It won’t happen again. I don’t want you to leave. I’m sorry.”
When did I get so pathetic? Self-respect, Julie.
He strides towards me then stops just short of me. His face softens a little. “I’m not ready to be done with you yet, cara. But you will be punished for your actions.”
My chest deflates. I hope he doesn’t see it. “Punished?” I say in a soft voice.
He reaches me and looks down, his face growing more lusty than angry, but the anger is still there, right on the surface. This is going to benefit him more than me, I’m sure of it.
“Turn around.”
I blink.
“Pardon me?” I squeak.
“Now, Julietta.”
“Why?” I say, taking a step back.
“Because, I’m going to punish you for disobeying me.”
I shake my head. “But—”
“The more you argue,” he says, his voice low, “the more you’ll get.”
I shiver. “Raf—”
“Turn around.”
“Raf—”
“Now,” he says, his voice leaving no further room for argument.
I swallow, secretly loving what he’s offering, and turn around. He steps closer to me and walks me until I hit the back of the couch. There, he puts a hand to the middle of my shoulder blades and pushes me down until I’m bent over the back of my old sofa. He lifts my shirt, grabbing the top of my scrub pants and jerking them down, exposing my bottom.
“Rafael,” I say, my voice a lusty shake.
“No talking,” he orders, keeping my shirt bunched in one hand while the other jerks my pants down until they’re around my knees.
“Is this going to hurt?”
I can’t see his grin, but I can hear it. “Oh yes.”
I make a semi-scared, semi-turned on sound.
He presses into my backside, his hard cock pushing again
st my damp core. Dammit. I’m not supposed to be turned on, but I am. Oh, I am.
He doesn’t release my shirt; instead, he keeps it wrapped in a tight fist as he grinds against me, bringing me closer and closer to an embarrassing orgasm. He’s barely even touching me, but God, does he know how to turn a woman on.
Thwack.
His hand comes down on my ass, completely shocking me. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
Thwack.
Again, he brings his hand down over my backside. A painful burning sensation radiates from my ass, right through my core, and something deep inside me . . . clenches?
Oh. This is turning me on more than it should.
“Ten,” he growls, slapping me again. “Next time, it’ll be double.”
Is it bad I want there to be a next time? And maybe a time after that?
I whimper when the fourth slap comes. God, it feels way better than it should. So. Much. Better. He releases his iron-tight grip on my shirt and I hear his buckle, then his zip, and then he’s clenching my shirt again. He presses his cock right against my sex, and when he slaps me for the fifth time, he drives it home. I throw my head back and scream with both pleasure and pain as he fucks me in all the ways I need to be fucked.
We both come in a tangle of limbs and bodies, and a sore backside (for me, anyway). Rafael leans his big frame over mine for a few minutes before helping me stand and slowly bringing my pants up and over my tender bottom. Then he straightens my shirt and turns me around, looking down at me. He runs a thumb over my bottom lip and I open my mouth slightly, letting him slide it in. I suck on it for a few seconds, before he slips it out and leans down, capturing my mouth in a heated kiss.
Then he does up his pants and gives me a stern, yet almost loving expression. “Don’t disobey me again, cara.”
With that, he turns and leaves my apartment. Turns out I didn’t even know I needed to be fucked like that.
Damn him.
He’s good.
~*~*~*~
RAFAEL
“Sorry to say it, boss. . .” Benito says, leaning back in the chair and crossing his ankles. “But I’m starting to believe her dad has something to do with all of this. Your brother being killed, the shipments going missing. . .”