Chapter 4

Rafael couldnt believe his eyes. He looked at the dead man on the ground and back to the woman in front of him.

You havent changed a bit, angela, he said, fighting the urge to touch her to see if she was real. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling like a gawky teenager in front of her. Who are you? Really?

Bellona, she said in that silky voice. My name is Bellona.

Like the goddess of war?

Bellona nodded. I am her.

Rafael started to laugh and then stopped when he saw her expression.

You… You are serious? he asked.

Yes, she replied, her brows drawing together. You dont believe me?

I believe you have some amazing genetics or excellent doctors to make you appear the same, Rafael answered. He took another wine glass from a cabinet and filled it for her. He turned back around and nearly dropped it. She wore gold and black armor, her eyes shining with divine fire. Holy fucking gods.

Goddess, she said, and then, with a shake of blonde hair, the armor vanished, and she was again dressed in black jeans, boots, and a tight T-shirt.

An actual goddess of war, Rafael gave her the wine before he dropped it. How the fuck do I have your business card?

Im assuming Michele gave it to you. Your grandfather gave it to him. Bellona sniffed the wine before tasting it. She smiled. Stop freaking out, Rafael. You know Hades and the Greeks are out in Styx. I would think humans would be getting better with the appearance of gods amongst them.

I just never expected to have a real goddess in my kitchen, Rafael said. He rubbed the scar on his nose. He had dared to kiss a goddess without permission. No wonder she had head-butted him. He was lucky she hadnt flayed him alive.

Bellona winked at him, and his heart skipped a beat. Its why my bill is going to be high.

If you can help me stay alive and figure out whats happening, Ill pay whatever you ask. Do people still offer you their souls, goddess? he asked.

What makes you think I would want yours? she replied, holding her wine glass out for him to top up. She bit her plump bottom lip, and he almost swallowed his tongue. Besides, Im sure your wife would object to a strange woman owning your soul.

Rafael uncorked another wine bottle. No wife.

Kids? Bellona frowned, a pink flush spreading up her golden skin.

No kids. Thats part of the problem with this hit, Rafael replied. The cork came free with a pop, and he filled her glass.

Bellona slid onto one of the kitchen stools. How is it a problem? What have you gotten yourself into this time?

It was my father, actually. Rafael leaned against the counter. He and his two business partners have a clause in their agreement that their male heirs will inherit when they die. I inherited my fathers third on his deathbed.

As stipulated in the contract. Where is the problem exactly?

Tirone and Cino want to go into business with Rita Costa.

Bellona put down her wine. Costa…as in the family that kidnapped you? Are they insane?

Apparently. Rita became the head of the Costas last year and is being aggressive about wanting to take over Rome. Her father was always furious he couldnt get Michele to side with him, even after he kidnapped me to scare him. Rita wants to succeed where her father failed over the years. Getting me to yield is a point of pride for her. I never married or had kids, so if my partners kill me, they can split my third of the business and go into partnership with Rita with no risk to them.

Bellona studied him. And in all of this, you didnt think that it might be worth having a friend who is mafia?

No. Ive done everything I can to keep the business completely clean of any mafia connections. They poison everything around them, and I have good, honest people working for me. Its my responsibility to protect them from the trouble the mafia would bring. Im too stubborn to budge on the matter, so the three of them got together and put a hit out on me. If I die, they get the business. If I give in to the pressure, they get the business. Im fucked either way, Bellona. Its why I called you. Rafael crossed his arms. I dont know what to do.

Bellona let out a long sigh. Do you know what Rita has on them?

Cino and Tirone? Why would she have anything on them apart from greed? Rafael asked.

Because they have been fine with your principles since you took over from Michele. He died years ago. Theyve had time to press you about the Costa family, and they havent until now. She has something on them, Bellona explained. She got to her feet and shut the curtains over the windows and glass doors. Youre a sitting duck here. We need to go somewhere else.

I have a house in Rome? he suggested. He hadnt stayed in the city because he was feeling too vulnerable.

We need to find out what Rita is bribing your partners with. You have no clue?

No. I went through all their history when I inherited the company. They are clean from what I could tell.

Bellona shook her head. Everyone has secrets, Rafael. Everyone.

Ill tell you mine if you tell me yours, he said, unable to stop himself.

Bounty hunters are after you, and youre still trying to flirt?

Rafael shrugged. It seems like the best time to flirt. I could die any second.

You arent going to die on my watch, Bellona snapped.

If you say so, mia dea. Rafael knew most men would run away from her fierce scowl, but he couldnt help but smile back at her. Did you think I was married?

A man your age should be.

Rafael put a hand to his chest. My age? Ouch. Im in my forties. I hardly have a foot in the grave.

No, you have two feet and two million riding on getting you the rest of the way in it, Bellona replied. She drained her wine. Why didnt you get married? No pretty girls or boys left in Italy?

There are plenty, but none ever felt right, Rafael said with a careless shrug. Ive been too busy working anyway. How about you? Are you married? Or have someone waiting for you to come home tonight?

Bellona laughed. Absolutely not. Im far too old and far too smart for any of that nonsense. Why?

I just want to make sure I wont have another god trying to murder me if I flirt with you, he replied and tried to hide just how happy he was that she was single.

The woman in front of him had haunted him for over twenty years. He supposed it made sense that she was a goddess because he had never gotten over their encounter. He had tried to date over the years, but every kiss was compared to hers. No one had made him feel the same reckless, giddy rush that her presence created in him.

He had begged his father to tell him who his mysterious rescuer was, but Michele had always claimed he never knew her identity. If Rafael had known whom the white card belonged to, he wouldnt have waited until his life was in danger before calling her. One thing Rafael did know for sure—now that she was in front of him once again, he wouldnt let her get away so easily.