Chapter 23

That night, Rafael helped Set cook roasted racks of lamb while Bellona supervised from her seat behind the counter. Set and Rafael had decided she needed a night off no matter how pressing matters were, and she didnt like it one bit.

I still think I should be out, doing something tonight. Rita must have more buildings that I can blow up, she grumbled irritably.

Rafael topped her wine glass. She does, and they will still be there tomorrow. You got half your side shot out last night and need the break. And you forget Im the boss because Im your client, and I say we are having the night off.

Bellona glared at him, but Rafael didnt take it personally. He just glared right back. Set chuckled as he tossed salad ingredients together.

Dont encourage him, Set. Youre meant to be on my side, Bellona complained.

Im always on your side, Bells, but hes right. Besides, we are still waiting for Medusa to give us a list of Ritas properties to hit. Is having two handsome men cook you dinner and wait on you so awful?

Bellona sniffed haughtily and picked up her glass. One handsome man, who I let get away with entirely too much.

Rafael beamed at her and gave her a plate of charcuterie. She winked at him and ate an olive in a way that made him remember that gorgeous mouth on his dick that morning. God, those lips…

Do I need to spray you with water like youre a cat in heat? Because I will, Set said, with a grossed-out look on his face.

Bellona replied, Stop being so dramatic over some light flirting.

You two eye fucking each other is going to ruin my appetite.

Thats a lie, and you know it. I have seen you eat the nastiest army rations and local wildlife in the world with zero fucks, she pointed out.

Rafael watched them bicker, a grin tugging on his lips. He liked being around them and hearing their stories. As time went on, hed gotten fewer and fewer friends he could relax and be himself with. Strangely, the people he had finally found to make him feel that way were gods and not human at all.

They were in the middle of eating when Bellonas new cell phone began ringing loudly.

Leave it, Rafael begged as she checked the caller ID.

I cant. Its Medusa, and if I dont, shell hack into the electricity grid and start fucking with the power, Bellona replied and pressed the screen to answer. Tell me some good news, Serpent Queen.

Its good news, and yet, I feel like washing my eyes in bleach, Medusa said, disgust lacing every word. I have a list of properties Rita Costa owns, including a handful buried under shell companies out of Dubai. Lola went full dark web mode and found the site where they have been auctioning people off, including more used products that are cheaper to buy, ranging from house slaves to bodies for snuff films. I swear, Bellona, if you dont kill this bitch and salt the earth with her ashes, I will.

Rafaels stomach churned. I knew the Costas were bad news, but this... It was a side of the world hed never experienced before. Bellonas eyes were glowing with golden fire because she dealt with that kind of horror every day.

Dont worry, Susa. By the time Im done with them, there wont be enough to bury, she promised, her voice deadly calm. She focused on Rafael, and the gold shifted back to blue. Ill make a plan tonight and hit them tomorrow. Rom has offered some men, so we might make it a family affair and hit all the properties at once so she has nowhere left to scurry off to. I need to take the night to rest. Apparently.

Its good to hear that fine ass man of yours is taking care of you, Medusa said with a wicked laugh.

Bellonas ears went red. Do you mind? Youre on speakerphone.

I know, and I dont care. You dont think Rafael doesnt know hes hot?

Rafael shrugged. Beauty is subjective.

Ah, huh. All that subjectiveness you have going on is the reason Rita wants to have your babies so badly and Bellona wants to kill anyone who looks at you funny.

Rita isnt going to lay a finger on him, Bellona hissed and then looked even more embarrassed.

Rafaels heart swelled dangerously. He tried to think of her protectiveness and not Romuluss casual comment about him being her toy. They had talked the previous night in the bath about continuing whatever was happening between them, but that didnt mean Bellona wouldnt tire of him eventually. He would grow old, and she wouldnt. What could he possibly offer her long term?

Rafael had lost himself in his spiraling thoughts, so he didnt hear whatever else was said before Medusa hung up.

Well, that settles it. Ill call Rom and send him this list of places. You two are on clean up, Set said, getting to his feet and stretching. We might need to do a grocery order too.

Already did it. Itll turn up tomorrow, Rafael replied, trying to shake his dark thoughts away.

Thanks, Set. Theres only so much of Romulus I can handle in a day, Bellona replied, leaning back in her chair. When you talk to Ayla tonight, ask her what she wants as a present for letting me borrow you for so long.

Set pouted playfully. What about my present?

You can think of one as well, though letting you have a free-reign murder spree is already a good present.

Truth. Ill see you two kids in the morning, Set said and headed to his own apartment, his phone already to his ear. Hey, Rom, about those guys you offered, what are they doing tomorrow night?

Old jazz music that Set had chosen was drifting over the speakers, and Rafael took the moment to study Bellona in the warm candlelight. She noticed his attention and lifted a brow.

What is it? Is there something on my face? she asked, wiping at it.

Rafael got to his feet and offered her his hand. Dance with me.

I dont dance. I dont know how.

You dont have to know how because I do. My father forced me to have dancing lessons from when I was ten years old so I didnt embarrass him at fundraising galas.

Bellona took his hand, and it was the first time he had seen her look remotely nervous. Tell me something… Has your whole life been about Michele grooming you?

Yes. He always had these high expectations of everything I did. I know he was trying to prepare me, but I wouldnt say I had a normal upbringing. Everything was planned out. Its probably one of the reasons I was never really interested in having children myself, Rafael admitted. He pulled her close, his hands going around her waist, loving that space where her hips flared from her waist.

And is running the company and being the big boss the only thing you want out of life? she said, resting her hands around his neck.

I used to think it was, but lately, Ive gotten terribly bored. Rita putting the bounty on my head is annoying, but it brought you back to me, so I cant be bitter about it.

Bellona shook her head, the long silky strands of her hair tickling his arm. A bounty on your head is never a good way to cure boredom, Rafael.

Her fingers toyed with his shirt. You know what Rom said today about you being my toy was just him trying to get a rise out of you, right? Ive never seen you as an object.

I know when a man is trying to push my buttons, and it doesnt work. Like I said to him, I dont mind being a toy as long as Im yours, Rafael said honestly. He didnt want to upset her by spilling his messy heart out onto her, but it was going to happen sooner or later. You want to know what I love about you?

She didnt bat an eyelash at the L word.

My epic tits and penchant for keeping you alive? she responded, mischief glittering in her eyes.

They are certainly on the list, but not at the top, Rafael said, stroking her lower back in small circles as they swayed in time with the music. I love that you dont want anything from me. My whole life has been ruled by my father and people who want things. They see the position, the money, the power. No one has ever looked at me and actually seen me for me, except for you. Its unnerving and exhilarating at the same time because I dont know what I have to offer that isnt those things. I dont know how long it will take for you to realize that and get bored, but I will cherish every moment up until you do.

Bellona stopped dancing. Do you really think so little of yourself? What the fuck, Rafael?

Bellona, Im realistic. Im a mortal, and you are an actual goddess. What can I possibly offer you that you dont already have?

Bellona gripped his shoulders, and for a moment, he thought she would shake him. Its not about you offering or earning anything! Yes, I am a goddess, and you still give me so much more than you realize. You know exactly who and what I am, and you still want me despite the violence and rage. Youre not afraid of me. Bellona huffed out a frustrated breath and tried again. I love you because you give me, a war goddess, peace. All the screaming and the nightmares stop until its just you. Its confusing, and its priceless, and Im probably going to fuck it up because Ive never felt that way with anyone. Ive not had a lot of peace or kindness, but you are both to me. No one has ever tried to love me except you.

Rafael held onto her so she wouldnt back away from him. You love me back?

Bellona rested her head against him and groaned. Of course I love you. You think I would be this crazy for any mortal?

Rafael wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. I think Ive loved you since I kissed you, and you broke my nose. Youre not worried about me growing old and dying?

No, she said and lifted her head. I know many gods, and most of them owe me favors. Making you mine forever isnt out of the realm of possibility. Just dont ever talk poorly about yourself or say you have nothing to offer me, or Ill kick your ass.

We wouldnt want that. Rafael lifted her head and kissed her until she melted against him, his heart too full for any more words.

When they finished dancing, he took her upstairs and let it be known exactly how much he loved every part of her. Up until that moment, sex had been a frantic driving need between them. Something had shifted, and when he slid into her, Bellona looked up at him with such softness and wonder, it seared right onto his soul. No one had loved him like that. No one ever would.

Afterward, Rafael cradled Bellona to him, stroking her hair through his fingers and listening to her deep breaths as she slept.

Everything Rafael thought he knew he wanted was changing. All the work he had done over the years, the success the company had, the money—none of that seemed to matter anymore. He didnt know what he was going to do once the bounty was off his head, but he knew he couldnt go back to his old life. The thought of not knowing what the future held should have terrified him. It didnt because no matter what happened, he knew Bellona would be in it.