Page 26 of Mafia and Protector

The events of the last few weeks kept haunting my mind, no matter how much I tried to block those thoughts.

I must have fallen asleep finally in the early hours.

***

The next time I woke, I could see that it was light outside. I felt the strange sheets around me as soon as I woke, and the memories of yesterday came tumbling back to me.

I cringed, thinking about not only last night, but also what I would have to go through this morning.

I slowly got up and sat on the stool in front of the dressing table, looking at my pale face and red eyes in the mirror opposite.

Rafael was already up, and I could hear him in the shower.

A couple of minutes later, he walked back into the bedroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist, his sandy hair wet and darkened from the water. “How did you sleep?” he asked.

My body tensed. “Um…it was fine.”

I wasn’t really sure where to look or what we were supposed to talk about. I still couldn’t believe that we were married and that the last few weeks had really happened.

I took a deep breath. I was physically exhausted from yesterday and mentally drained from the last few weeks. I just had to focus on one thing at a time, and the next hurdle was getting through seeing our families this morning.

My mother-in-law, Ortensia, knocked at our door a short time later to check how I was. God, it felt weird thinking that I had a mother-in-law now…as well as a monster for a father-in-law. I wondered how much she knew about what had happened with Emanuel.

I had not showered yet and was sitting with my robe wrapped tightly around me. Rafael answered the door, and his mother came in, gazing at my red eyes, before putting her hand gently to my cheek. “There dear, you have done your family proud,” she said in a kindly voice.

I blushed bright red, but I knew this was only the start. I would have to face the rest of our families soon.

After Ortensia had left, Rafael looked at me. “The doctor from the clinic is dead. We killed him last night.” His voice had an edge to it.

I bit my lower lip, not knowing what to say to that. It was a bit like a cat bringing its owner a dead bird. Was the owner supposed to be repulsed by the deadly act, or was she pleased that the cat cared enough about her to bring such a gift?

When I didn’t respond, Rafael carried on. “You should get ready now. We’ll stay downstairs for as short a time as possible.”

“Okay.” It would be relatively easy for me to act like the blushing bride today. I was mortified—not because of my wedding night, but because of the secret I was keeping.

I was terrified someone outside our two families might find out the truth—might find out that I had not been pure for Rafael and that we hadn’t consummated our marriage. Would someone check our bedsheets after we had left the room? My body quaked at the thought.

“Don’t worry about seeing our families downstairs.” Rafael must have noticed my concern. “I will be by your side the whole time. We’ll just keep conversation as brief and general as possible.”

I nodded, although I couldn’t help but worry about all the questions everyone would ask.

I got dressed in a new pale pink shift dress.

“You look pretty in your dress.”

I blushed, not used to having a man comment on my appearance. “I, rather than my mother, chose it. That’s why it’s not outrageous or garish.” I had definitely not bought it from Signora Demonte’s boutique.

Rafael stared at me. “The color suits you.”

“I wish I hadn’t let my mother persuade me to buy the matching heeled pumps. My feet are still aching from yesterday and I really could have done with wearing some lower heels today.” I was babbling—as if he would care about my footwear or aching feet.

As we made our way downstairs, I wobbled on my heels and Rafael grabbed my hand to steady me.

I flinched slightly at his touch and then steeled myself as I allowed him to help me down the stairs. His hand felt warm and strong wrapped around mine.

When we reached the private dining room where our immediate families would be waiting for us, he was still holding my hand. “I'm going to keep holding your hand if that's okay with you? That way, you can just squeeze my hand if you need a break or anything else. I’m here for you.”

I nodded.