Chapter 10

Rafaels head hurt with a deep thrumming ache. He was embarrassed about being kidnapped for the second time in his life. It had taken him far too long to realize the carabinieri werent who they said they were. They had been going downstairs to the restaurant when one had stuck a gun in his lower back.

Bellona was going to be so mad at him.

Rafael had tried to fight back and had gotten a few good hits in before his head was slammed into the side of the car, and he was shoved inside of it.

Everything after that was blurry. Hed had a black bag pushed over his head and had been half dragged somewhere. He could smell earth, and the temperature had dropped rapidly. They tied him to a wooden St. Andrews Cross and pulled the bag off his head.

Rafaels eyes watered, making him blink rapidly to try and clear them. He was underground, and the walls had small niches carved into the earth that were stuffed with treasures. A skull grinned at him amongst the piles of coins and jewels, and he realized where he was—the Catacombs.

He took in the rest of the cavern. The ceiling had been painted with scenes of Roman life and had to be hundreds of years old. Tall metal braziers were lit around the room to give it light, and nothing seemed to indicate electricity had been fed down there. That meant the phone that his captors had taken from him couldnt be tracked.

Bellona is coming. She will be mad about it, but she will come, he tried to reassure himself.

And what is this my little thieves have found? a woman said, appearing in one of the rooms many entranceways. Two men and another woman flanked her. She had dark brown hair, a slim build, and wore two daggers on her belt. There was an easy authority about her that made everyone watch her. She had to be their leader.

I think there has been some kind of mistake, Rafael began. His mouth was too dry, and the pain behind his eyes throbbed.

A mistake? Are you not Rafael Asellio? the woman asked.

I am, but you have me at a disadvantage, ma donna. Who are you, and what do you want? Rafael asked.

The woman sat down on an oversized throne covered in furs. It gave her a view of the whole room.

Who I am doesnt matter. What does is that we have been paid to take you and squeeze you until you give into a set list of demands, the leader said, crossing her legs. How much we squeeze you is entirely dependent on you. She gestured to one of her male companions. He moved towards Rafael with a gleam of menace on his face and a thin-bladed knife in his hands.

Let me guess… The Costas hired you? Rafael said, keeping his gaze on the leader, not the man. He pressed the edge of his blade to Rafaels cheek.

I usually dont get involved in the upstairs affairs, but your bounty became too big to ignore. Three million euros will keep my people fed for a long time, the leader said, leaning back in her chair. Maybe one cut to start with, so he knows we are serious?

Pain bit into Rafaels cheek. He refused to cry out, refused to beg. Fuck Rita Costa and his partners. He had been shocked and not thinking clearly, his old loyalties to them still in place. Not anymore. If they wanted to put out bounties, Rafael would do the same. Warm wetness dripped down his cheek.

Fuck you all, he snarled.

The leader only laughed. Hes a fighter. Excellent. This will make it more fun. Proceed. The knife touched his other cheek when suddenly a man came sailing out of a tunnel and landed with a bone-breaking crunch. Something golden shot out behind him and struck out at the man who had cut Rafael with a knife. One second, he was holding the knife, and the next, his hand and head went flying.

Bellona took shape in front of Rafael, one hand holding a pugio and the other a gladius. Her armor shone brightly, and her face was full of divine fury.

You dare to touch what is mine? she snarled. Her tone held so much menace that the hair on Rafaels arms stood on end. The next person that so much as looks at him, I will flay the flesh from their bones.

The leader stood up, her hands raised in surrender. Bells, please calm down. I had no idea he was one of yours. Lets have a drink and talk this out, she said with an uneasy smile. Come on, we are friends. I wouldnt fuck with you, and you know it.

Bellonas fury was coming off her in invisible waves. We are friends, Laverna, and I will still kill every single person who tries to stop me from taking him.

Laverna walked to them, her hands still raised. No one will stop you and him from leaving. You have my word. Wait, is this the guy? The one who kissed you that one time? Woooww, good taste, Bells. I love a silver fox. Her face lit up with delighted mischief. Bellona slowly lowered her blades.

I did kiss her once. She broke my nose, Rafael said, hoping to diffuse the situation. The body at his feet was still gushing blood, and he had a feeling she had left plenty of others in the same condition.

Laverna laughed loudly. Of all the fucking Rafaels in Italy, he had to be yours. Fuck me, what a mess. Somebody bring me some wine right the fuck now. Her minions that had been cowering in a cluster broke apart to do what she demanded. Cut him down, Bells, and lets talk.

Laverna walked away and was brave enough to put her back to her. Maybe she and Bellona really were friends. Bellona sheathed her sword before crouching to cut the ropes on his ankles. Her hands patted him down as she stood as if checking for damage.

Rafael kept his mouth shut, not wanting to antagonize her. Her eyes were still glowing with fire that was banked but not extinguished. She made sure he could stand before she cut the ties around his wrists. Blood shot through his hands in a painful rush. Bellona silently removed the short red cloak from her back and put it around his shoulders. Warm seeped into him, and his shaking stopped.

Thank you, he whispered.

Bellonas eyes glowed brighter. Later.

Rafael nodded and followed her to the table that Laverna was sitting at. She was trying and failing to look relaxed. She poured wine into silver goblets and placed them on the table. Sit down, you two. You are making me nervous.

You should be, Bellona said. She sat and gestured to Rafael to take the chair beside her, putting herself between Laverna and him.

Bellona, mia amica, Im sorry for this terrible insult. How can I make it up to you?

Bellonas eyes narrowed. Look at the blood on his face, and you tell me how you will make reparations.

I can give you information on who hired me and why and any assistance you need to take them down. Lavernas eyes were filled with genuine hurt. Weve been friends for twenty-seven hundred years, Bellona. You know this was an accident.

Rafael felt like he was watching two massive predators getting ready to brawl. He didnt want anyone else to get hurt, and he didnt wish Bellona to lose a friend over it. Rafael swallowed hard and put his hand on Bellonas shoulder.

Im fine, Bellona. This is Rita Costas doing, not Lavernas. Not really, he said.

She turned her fierce gaze on him before snatching a napkin from the table and pressing it to his face. You say that when you are still bleeding.

Rafael took the cloth from her. Its nothing. Its going to make me look that much more dashing.

If anything, its an improvement, Laverna added. Bellona glared at her. Not that he needed it. You never told me he was so cute. I can see why youve pouted about that kiss for so long.

Bellona growled, and Laverna grinned. Drink your fucking wine, Bells. Hes going to live, which is more than I can say for Rico over there. Blood has been repaid with blood, and you know it.

Bellona picked up her goblet and drained it. Laverna topped it up for her.

Tell me what you know about Rita Costa, she said finally.

Shes from a family of mobsters and knows the game. Unlike her ancestors, shes not as polite about wanting to take over as much of Rome as possible. She clearly doesnt know who runs this city, above or below. She did know how to contact my people and offer me three million to take your boy. She wanted me to keep him prisoner and torture him into giving her what she wants.

Bellonas eyes narrowed. Which is what exactly?

His hand in marriage, Laverna replied, gesturing to Rafael. She wants to be his baby mama.

The goblet crumpled in Bellonas hand. Laverna just gestured for one of her minions to bring another one.

I would like you to get one of your sly foxes to find Miss Costa for me and keep an eye on her, Bellona said and got to her feet. I need to leave now.

I can find her. Ill text you an update, Laverna replied. She didnt look happy that Bellona was still angry. Are we good, Bells? Because last time you got that look on your face, you burned down Rome.

Just message me when you find her, Bellona replied.

Rafael got up and smiled at Laverna. Ill keep her away from the matches.

Laverna laughed, but it didnt reach her eyes. You take care now, Rafael. Seriously. Not even a paper cut. Understand?

Ill do my best, Rafael replied.

Bellona nodded once at Laverna before heading back down one of the tunnels. Rafael wrapped the red cloak around him and hurried to catch up to his goddess.