Chapter 12

Bellona waited until Rafael was sleeping deeply before heading upstairs for a shower. Blood stained her suit in a way that no amount of dry cleaning would ever save. She removed her clothes and threw them into the bin before climbing into a scalding shower. Her hands kept clenching and unclenching, the urge to murder something so strong that she could taste steel in her mouth.

Rafaels blood was under her fingernails, and she could still smell the tang of it. Bellona was used to her berserker war rage, but this was different. She kept seeing him hurt on that damn cross, an ancient instrument of torture for the worst of the worst. She had seen thousands of people die on them, and to see her beautiful Rafael on one… Bellona shuddered as a sob rose in her throat. She never cried for anything or anyone. It was fear that was eating her alive. He was so damn mortal.

Bellona had been friends with Laverna for their entire existence, and she had been ready to tear her limb from limb. Only one god could take her on when she was like this and walk away.

Bellona got out of the shower and ignored the messages lighting up her phone. She found Sets number, and with shaking fingers, she messaged: Sorry to bother you with my bullshit, but I would like you to come to Rome. I dont have as much control as I would like. It took a lot for Bellona to admit. Set was the only one who would understand what she meant by not having much control.

The dots danced as he responded straight away. It will take me a day to get to you, but I can come. How bad are you?

Bellona searched her memory for a comparison. Do you remember Constantinople in January 532?

You are Nika Riots bad?? What the fuck happened, Bells? Are you hurt?

Her hands gripped the phone so tight, she thought it would crack. She forced herself to type. They took Rafael and put him on a cross.

Fuck. Did you get him back in one piece?

Yes. But they cut him and put him on a cross, Set. A fucking cross. Im so furious, I can hardly breathe.

Ill be there by tomorrow night. Can you hold on until then? Or do I need to call Rom and Laverna?

Laverna was the one who took him. She knows my feelings.

Fucking hell. Is she still with us?

Yes. But I had to leave quickly. She will help me find the woman who hired her for the job.

Please dont shed any more blood tonight, Bells. It will blow back on Rafael. I know you dont want that.

Bellona didnt reply. She couldnt promise him that she wouldnt cut Ritas throat. The only thing stopping her was that killing Rita would make the bounty on Rafael go up, not make it go away.

Bellona looked at her other messages and replied to Medusa to thank her for her help in finding Rafael and to tell her that she got to him in time. Her other message was from Laverna.

My people have let me know that Rita Costa has a reservation at seven p.m. at Lorenzos on Via di San Vincenzo, near the Trevi. Try not to kill her in front of witnesses, or Romulus will never shut the fuck up about it. You know what hes like. Sorry again about what happened today, Bells. X.

Thank you. Bellona didnt say anything more than that. Logically, she knew it wasnt Lavernas fault. She was following up on a good bounty. She had mouths to feed and always did her best to care for the citys outcasts. Bellona would get over it, but not that night.

Bellona went to her wardrobe and put on a dark purple satin dress. She blew out her hair and applied some makeup. Finally, she cast a light glamor over herself to soften her muscular arms and sharp angles, and to hide her scars. It helped her look less threatening and fool humans into thinking she was exactly like them.

Bellona grabbed her phone and texted Medusa with the codes to her home network and the cameras she had installed. She wanted to be notified when or if Rafael woke up. She needed someone to keep an eye on him.

Bellona didnt leave until she received a thumbs-up and a snake emoji. She would have to find a way to repay Medusa for her help. Shed had doubts about socializing with other gods after so long, but it was nice to have people who knew what she was and whom she could reach out to. They were all old monsters in their ways, doing their best to step out of the stories and roles they had been written into.

Bellona couldnt help but think of Rafaels words to her earlier about retiring to paint pictures. Maybe you can create a new purpose.

Bellona painted her lips as red as his blood had been. She would think about a new purpose, but not until all his enemies were in the ground where they belonged. With a final check to ensure Rafael was still asleep, Bellona headed out into the night.

The Trevi Fountaingleamed like a white fantasy of stone under the lights around the square. The crowd around it was constant and relentless, and Bellona blended in with them. Her heeled boots clicked against the cobblestones as she closed in on her prey.

Lorenzos was a restaurant famed for its BBQ grill flavors mixed with Michelin Star flare. Bellona was old enough to remember the spectacle the city made out of executions and thought naming a BBQ restaurant after the saint who was burned alive on a grill was darkly funny but incredibly gauche.

Bellona spotted the four men loitering outside, the telling bump in their jackets showing where their guns were. She smiled at them and kept walking.

Inside, it smelled of cooking meat and fresh flowers that were on every table.

Excuse me, signora, do you have a reservation? the ma?tre d asked.

Bellona looked down her nose at him. Im here to have dinner with my good friend, Rita Costa.

The man paled, a nervous smile stretching over his face. My apologies. Signorina Costa is at her usual booth.

Thank you, Bellona replied, following him through the table maze. The roof was frescoed with scenes of the saints life, with his famous death in the center.

Bellona spotted at least five other heavyweights sitting around the restaurant near the windows and doors leading to the kitchen. If Bellona did decide to start something, she would have to fight her way out. The problem was that the rest of the restaurant was full of innocent families and couples having dinner as well. She might be good enough to avoid killing them, but she doubted the Costa goons would care who got in the way.

Rita Costa sat alone in her booth, wearing a pale pink dress, and at first glance, she seemed like an innocent rose amongst the thorns. She had to be in her early thirties and had a thick, glossy wave of dark curls and looked soft except when you looked into her eyes. There was a vicious coldness in there that Bellona recognized all too well. Rita spotted Bellona heading her way and gave her a long once-over, like someone eyeing up the competition.

If only you knew, princess.

Bellona pulled up the chair opposite her and sat down. Good evening, Rita. Mind if I sit?

I do, actually. Who the fuck are you, and why are you interrupting my dinner? Rita looked over at her guards, who were assessing the threat.

Oh, dont bother them about little old me. Bellona fluttered her lashes. Im not going to cause a scene and try and kill you here, ragazza.

Rita took a sip of her dirty martini. Again, who are you, and why should I care? Im a busy woman, so please stop wasting my time.

My name is Bellona, and Im here with an offer for you. Listen up, little girl, because Im not in the mood for any more bullshit. Bellona reached across, took the olive from Ritas martini, and bit it off the metal pick. Ritas eyes flared at the audacity. Good.

I want you to take the hit off Rafael Asellio by dawn, or Im going to destroy the Costa family so thoroughly, it will be like you never existed. Bellona put the metal pick back into Ritas martini glass with a sharp plink. Thats about as gracious as I have it in me to be right now.

Rita laughed softly and leaned back into the soft leather chair. I heard Rafael had gotten himself a bodyguard. You seem to be misinformed, my dear. I dont want Rafael dead at all.

Really? The three million you were willing to pay to have him taken and tortured suggest otherwise.

That was… Rita gave her hand an elegant wave. Motivation. I need him to know how serious I am.

About what? Taking over his company? Why not make him a monetary offer instead of trying to kill him?

Rita smiled, and she was genuinely beautiful. I dont just want the company. I want him by my side and in my bed.

Bellona forced her jaw to unclench. And why is that? Why him?

My father tried to get Michele to become business partners for years. He abducted Rafael to try and put some pressure on him. It didnt work. So he tried a different approach. He wanted me to marry Rafael and make us all family. Michele was dying and knew that Rafael was going to need help to keep those vultures, Cino and Tirone, from trying to force his son out. Michele had the contract for our wedding already to go, and then the old bastard died before it could be signed.

Bellona wished she could resurrect Michele and punch him in the throat. And Rafael agreed to this?

Not that I know of, but it doesnt matter. The contract was there. Michele had changed his mind on what the Costas could offer him. Lets face it: Rafael needs a wife and heir. I am everything he could ever want or need. I just need to get him to the altar, Rita replied. Her eyes had a strange glow in them. Not only was she crazy, but she was also obsessed. Just perfect.

Rafael doesnt want to marry you, Rita. Maybe try a matchmaker? Im sure there is someone out there for you. Crazy and beautiful is popular with men.

Ritas nostrils flared. Rafael is all I ever wanted. Ive been in love with him since I was fifteen years old, and I will have him. I dont care what it takes.

Bellona smiled, and it was cold enough that Rita pulled back a little. Rafael is a big boy and has made his thoughts known on the matter. No means no, girl. Back off. You lost. You will never get him to choose you.

And what makes you so sure?

Bellona thought of Rafaels smile and how hard he had worked to keep his business clean when it would be so easy not to. Rafael is a good person. He brings light wherever he goes and wants to protect the people in his care from pieces of shit like you. Hes better than you will ever be.

Oh, I see now. You think you are good enough for him, but Im not? Rita said with a soft, murderous laugh.

No. Hes definitely too good for me. Im the worst of the worst.

But you love him anyway, even though he will never choose you either. Interesting.

Bellona went deathly still. Was it love that she was feeling when she looked at Rafael? She didnt know. She had never been in love before. Bellona hated the smug look on Ritas face. She knew she had struck a blow. Bellona wanted to smash the martini glass and stick the stem in Ritas throat. It would make her feel so much better after the day shed had.

Bellonas phone vibrated, and she glanced down at the message from Medusa. Rafael is up and wandering.

So sorry to cut our dinner short, Rita, but I have other business to attend to, Bellona said, rising to her feet. Please take my offer into consideration. I would hate for you to lose everything you have worked so hard to build. But just so we are clear: Rafael will never be yours, so bow out gracefully before things get messy.

Thank you for the warning. Rita lifted her martini to her. But if I cant have him, no one can. Ill put a bullet in his head before I let some blonde bimbo like you get her hands on him.

Bellona laughed. Sweet child, I am going to enjoy seeing you try.

With that, Bellona sailed out of the restaurant with her head held high. She could tell everyone that she had tried to end this peacefully. That plan failed. So now she would do it her way.