Chapter 29

Rafael woke to the sound of crashing waves and a warm, gentle breeze blowing through the curtains. He sat up, his head feeling like someone had grabbed him by the ears and shaken the hell out of him. He touched the fresh scar on his chest. He remembered the docks and gunfire.

How long have you been asleep?Rafael could move his arms and legs, so it couldnt have been the months that wouldve been needed to heal. He stumbled into the bathroom and washed his face. Someone had left a new toothbrush and toiletries out for him, so he scrubbed the strangely sweet taste out of his mouth. He stared at the scar and the rest of his reflection. He looked like hed been on a holiday for a month with no tiredness to his face or paleness to his features that he should have had from a gunshot wound.

Find Bellona, he told his reflection. She would have answers. A shower, food, and everything else could wait. He walked out in only the soft pajama boxers someone had dressed him. Wherever they were was warmer than it had been in Rome. The house was smaller than he expected, with a comfortable lounge room and kitchen area.

The front of the house was glass doors and opened straight out onto a beach. Bright blue water and sunshine greeted him as he stepped outside into the light. Further down the sand, someone had built a shaded platform with a wide, cushioned lounge in the center of it. Bellona was reclining on it in a white bikini and reading a book.

Rafael walked across the hot sand and stepped onto the platform. Hello, beautiful. Where are we?

Bellona tossed the book aside and had him pinned on his back on the sunbed in a blink. Youre awake! Oh, fucking Fates, finally youre awake, she said, climbing all over him and kissing his face.

Rafael laughed softly. I want this kind of greeting from now on. Bellona, what happened?

You got shot, she said and kissed the mass of scar tissue on his chest. That was four days ago.

Four days. Rafael brushed the hair behind her ears. Tell me everything. The last thing I remember was the docks in Italy.

Bellona updated him on the fight with Rita, getting taken to Styx, and Selene and Circe healing him.

I got Hermes to bring us here two days ago. This is one of Dionysuss places in Turkey. I thought we both would need a private beach for a few weeks while you recovered from being shot, and I recovered from the shock of almost losing you, she said, her voice cracking.

Rafael leaned up and hugged her. Im sorry for worrying you so much.

Dont you dare apologize to me. It was my fault you were shot. I was meant to protect you, and I failed, Bellona snapped. Rafael kissed her neck, and her arms tightened around him.

Please dont blame yourself for Ritas actions, amore. Im here with you, and thats all that matters. Rafael had a sudden, horrible thought. Whos been running the company? Oh, fuck, I need to call people.

I already did it. Maria knows youre taking some extended leave, and Romulus has been working with Cino to balance everything out. He can be a dick, but hes good at what he does. The bounty on your head has been canceled, and Ive put one on for any known associates of the Costa family, Bellona replied. She ran her hands through his hair and gave it a gentle tug. I have to go and hunt down all of the people that Rita was trafficking to, but it can wait until I have some better intel. You are having a holiday whether you like it or not. Doctors orders. The doctor being me, and Ill tie you down if I have to.

Relief swept through Rafael that someone else but him had taken control of things. He was tired of being the one who fixed everything and that everyone relied on.

I need the holiday to think about what I want to do with my life instead of doing what my father and everyone else expected of me. He ran a finger over the strap of her white top. If you keep wearing bikinis, I wont complain at all. Ill even let you tie me down.

Let me? Fates, youre cute. A naughty smile curved Bellonas lips. Did I mention this is a private beach?

Yes, you did, Rafael said, running his fingers up her spine. How private?

Bellona licked his bottom lip. Private enough that no one is going to walk past when I fuck your brains out.

Excellent. Rafael tugged the tie of her top loose, freeing her luscious breasts. He cupped them with the amount of squeeze he knew she enjoyed. Her eyes flashed with a streak of gold that made him harden. Im definitely feeling better already.

Good, because I have a lot of anxiety and stress that I need you to work out of me, Bellona replied. She kissed him deeply, her tongue moving against his and turning desperate. Rafael had almost died, and he needed to have her naked against him to prove that he hadnt. Bellona tugged on the strings tied at her hips and tossed the bikini bottoms aside. She was gloriously golden, her scars making her even more powerful and beautiful. Rafael would never tire of seeing her lose control for him. Bellona grabbed the band of his pants and tore the soft fabric to shreds to free him.

Dont worry, you arent going to need clothes for at least the next fourteen days, Bellona said, stroking his hard cock. Rafael couldnt reply because his brain had stopped working completely. He stroked her slick pussy as he kissed her and kissed her. His beautiful war goddess. He would fight death again to get back to her.

You better, she gasped, and he realized he had spoken aloud. Youre never allowed to leave me again. Oh, fuck, I need you inside me.

Rafael positioned her right where he wanted her and guided her down on his dick. Bellonas head went back, and Rafael kissed the long column of her golden throat.

Promise me you will never put yourself in harms way again, she growled, leaning forward to softly bite his scar. This almost killed us both.

I promise Ill try, Rafael said, grabbing her hips and dragging her down onto him. Show me how much you missed me, mia dea.

Bellona laughed the same way she did when she was in a fight and then rode him mercilessly until they were both shouting and gasping their way through their orgasms.

Bellona lay on top of him, his dick still inside of her, and rested her head on his shoulder. Rafael put his arms around her, loving her soft curves and weight pressing him down.

You know I cant really promise not to die on you, Bellona, he said, carding his fingers through her hair. Youre going to have to watch me grow old one day.

Bellona lifted her head, her smile soft and smug. You keep forgetting what I am and who my friends are. Ill have you know that my good friend Ariadne ate an apple of immortality, and being the clever girl she is, she planted the seeds. Theres a tree growing on a rooftop garden in Styx as we speak. Your name is on the first apple it grows if you want it.

Rafael stroked the beautiful curves of her face, his heart fuller than it had ever been. Bellona turned her head to kiss his palm.

Do you think a war goddess like you could handle me for all eternity? he asked with a cheeky grin. Bellona nipped his hand, making him jump and then laugh.

I suppose we will find out, wont we? she said.

Rafael brought her in for a kiss, and he knew he would love her until the day his heart stopped beating. Yes, we will.