Page 75 of Endlessly Raphael
“We partner with small business owners in other countries to help them build trade relationships with larger compatible companies in the US. The idea is to improve the global economy and to expand trade partnerships.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“It is. Gedo was passionate about giving back, and he was loyal to the country that had helped him build a better life for his family. I’m anxious to find out where the company stands now.” He squeezes my hand. “But first, I have to deal with jerkface back there.”
I kiss his cheek. “Tell me again how you ended up out here.”
“I got a weird call from a guy who told me I should come out to this area. I ignored it but then I got a text that seemed like it was from you. I should’ve gone with my instinct, but I didn’t. When I got here it was quiet and I was scared, so I went inside the club. I called your name and ran into those bad dudes. By then it was too late to run.”
Rage stirs my beast again at the mere thought of what could have happened had we been any later. “They didn’t harm you?”
“No. You got there in time.” He threads our fingers together. “I don’t know if it matters to you and your brothers, but I heard them talk about The Admiral.”
Thorn twists around to face us even though he’s the driver. “The Admiral? The fuck is he doing in New Onyx?”
“That’s what I wondered,” Haven says. “I don’t know shit about the Mafia, but he’s in the news so much I know about him. Isn’t he a Chicago dude?”
“That was my understanding,” I mutter. “We don’t bother with them much. As long as they stay out of our business, we stay out of theirs.”
“But it is interesting,” Eros muses. “They could be up to something we should know about.”
“Definitely,” I agree. “I’ll let Yves know.”
Wrapping my arm around Haven, I let my mind wander to the moment I reveal all. He handled finding out what I am shockingly well, but then again, I have to assume he hasn’t really processed it yet, given the situation.
First up though, is what to do with his uncle.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Haven
My husband is a vampire.
I practically giggle at the thought. In no way does that sentence even make sense, but unless this is all an elaborate dream, there’s no other way to explain what I saw when he burst into that room. I watched with my own eyes as he ripped into Frankie’s neck with his teeth like some kind of feral animal. He killed him right in front of me, and as he looked at me with the man’s blood all over his face, I know I should have been repulsed, but instead I felt so damn protected.
Now he’s the Rapha I’m used to—warm and comforting, very much a regular, if extremely attractive, looking man. Gone are the sharp, talon-like nails, the gleaming white fangs and glowing eyes. I have so many questions to ask once we’re alone again.
Thorn drives like a lunatic through the streets of New Onyx and we arrive back at Rapha’s home way before we should. Once we’re all out of the car, Thorn announces he’s returning the car and tears off into the night again.
“He’s interesting,” I murmur.
Eros chuckles. “You have no idea.”
Midnight has my uncle by the collar, shoving him as he walks. All I can do is glare at the man who until now I thought was the most compliant. He never spoke up, never challenged me. He just sat quietly, letting my father and Ali do all the talking.
In the elevator, I’m tempted to punch him in the face, and maybe I will before the night is over. I could’ve been killed tonight. The doors open and Yves is standing there with my parents. My mother’s eyes are red like she’s been crying.
I step out and straight into her arms. She holds me tight, kissing the side of my head.
“My son. Are you hurt?”
“No, Mom. I’m fine.”
When I step back, the fire in my father’s expression as he glares at Joe makes my breath hitch. He’s obviously holding himself back. I’ve never seen him look so enraged.
“What smells so bad?” Syn asks, standing behind Yves with his man, Bowie.
“That’s my traitorous uncle,” I answer. “Who is about to tell us what the actual fuck.”