Page 29 of Mafia and Protector

Gabriel opened the top drawer next to the range cooker. “All the takeout menus are kept in here. We always have meatballs on Mondays. You just have to dial the number."

“I didn’t know…”

Gabriel looked darkly at me. “I don’t know how long you’re planning on sticking around, but changing our food is not the way to endear yourself to your fellow housemates.”

“I’m sorry—”

“It’s fine,” Rafael said tersely. “We’ll have the chicken today.” I sensed that he also wasn’t happy. Maybe he preferred spaghetti meatballs as well?

Gabriel walked over to where I was standing next to the chicken. He came to a stop right beside me. He picked up the carving knife, and I involuntarily flinched.

“Really?” he growled. “If I wanted to kill you, Jessica, I have plenty of sharper knives than this old carving knife.”

I felt my cheeks pale.

As he started carving the meat, I slowly inched away a few steps, hoping he wouldn’t notice. Although it was evening now, he still looked fresh and composed, his tie fully knotted and the creases in his dark suit still sharp. Tiredness didn’t mar his features and I was reminded that he was a deadly machine.

He put some chicken on a plate and added potatoes and vegetables. “I’ve got work to do. I’ll eat in the office. Rafael, come in when you get a chance and we can go over business.” As he walked past me on his way out of the kitchen, he came so near to me that I gasped and took a swift step backward. He glowered at me but didn’t say anything more.

Rafael and I were alone in the kitchen. I stood in the middle of the room. “I don’t think he likes me.”

“He’ll get used to you. You’re family now. Sometimes he forgets that he's talking to his family rather than one of his men.”

I worried my lower lip, not sure that Rafael really wanted to eat the chicken. Judging by his expression, the answer was in the negative. “Um, do you want me to order Italian instead?”

“This will be fine.”

He reached for two more plates and filled them with food for us both before carrying them through the adjoining door to the breakfast room. “Bring cutlery,” he instructed me.

He set down the plates on the table, and we sat down opposite each other and ate in an uncomfortable silence.

I wondered if I should ask how his day had been, as this was how my mother always started a conversation at dinner at home. I started to open my mouth, but then shut it again, deciding it might be better not to speak to Rafael right now.

I didn’t want to annoy him, especially given what was going to happen later between us in the bedroom. I tried to keep my mind off the latter, but it was impossible and I was only able to pick at my food.

Once we had eaten, I started to clear the dishes.

“Leave that. It’s time for bed.” It wasn’t a request—it was an order.

He took my hand and tugged me up the stairs to his bedroom.

CHAPTER 10

JESSICA

Once we reached the bedroom, I grabbed my nightdress and bolted into the bathroom to change into it there. The nightdress was another one of my mother’s purchases—it was silk, trimmed with lace, and came to mid-thigh level. Luckily, it had a matching robe which would cover up a bit more of my body.

After securely tying the belt of the robe, I opened the bathroom door and found Rafael undressed to his boxer briefs.

I walked quickly across the bedroom, averting my eyes from him and quickly getting under the covers. Not that the covers would save me from him tonight.

Rafael walked into the bathroom and I heard the shower running, giving me a few more precious minutes to prepare myself for what was to come. I would have to bear his touch and the invasion of his body into mine. My blood ran cold, and my stomach twisted.

Then I told myself that this was probably how all Mafia brides felt when it was their first time with their new husband. But I knew I wasn’t just worried about the awkwardness of having sex with a virtual stranger.

I was petrified that it would remind me of what had happened at the clinic, that I wouldn’t be able to stand Rafael’s touch after what I had been through—and that Rafael would punish me for not fulfilling my marital duty.

It was hopeless whatever I chose: Either endure my husband’s attentions and have the memories from the clinic come flooding back to terrorize me, or refuse my husband and have to bear whatever harsh punishment he inflicted upon me.