Page 40 of Raphael

SAILOR

Iboarded the luxury private jet with Gabriel’s hand in mine.

We took the seat closest to the exit door. Just in case. Raphael threw himself in the plush leather recliner, pushing his hand through his thick, dark hair.

“Scotch,” he said to the air attendant. “Two ice cubes. Sailor and Gabriel, anything to drink?”

Gabriel’s eyes raised to mine. “Go ahead,” I told him, knowing exactly what he wanted. Whenever we flew, it was his favorite thing to order.

“I’ll have a Pepsi,” he requested, grinning wide.

Thankfully, the ordeal of getting shot at didn’t damage him. Maybe Gabriel had some mobster genes after all.

“And you, ma’am?” the attendant asked.

“Just water, please.” With a terse nod, she turned around and went to fill our orders.

I turned to look out the cabin window, the last glimpses of land as we reached higher and higher into the air. Raphael’s men moved toward the front of the plane, nodding at Raphael. Both of them moved like they were ready for combat. Not that I could blame them, not after what had happened to both of them.

“What are their names?” I asked Raphael. When the bullets were flying, I was preoccupied with staying alive, rather than paying attention to their names.

“Diego and Caine.”

The flight attendant arrived with our drinks and Gabriel squealed, jumping up from his seat to get his drink.

Raphael cocked his eyebrow. “Kid likes soda, huh?”

I shrugged. “It's a once in a while kind of thing.”

“Thank you, Maria.” He took a swig of his scotch, his eyes studying me. As if he was deciding what to do with me.

My nerves were shot. That many explosions and gunfire in two days would rattle anyone.

Gabriel turned his attention to the window. Silence crept through the cabin of the airplane, the only noise Gabriel’s occasional huffs and puffs.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” he finally announced.

Raphael pointed to the back of the plane, and I watched as my son scurried towards it. Once he was out of sight, I took the opportunity to grill Raphael.

“Where exactly are we going?”

“Somewhere safe.”

Totally not helpful.

“Could you elaborate?” I questioned, agitation lacing my voice. “Please,” I added through gritted teeth.

I guess manners never killed anyone.

I wanted to ensure my seven-year-old son didn’t end up in a war zone amongst criminals. He didn’t belong in the cartel that left a trail of destruction in their wake. All the criminals were similar in that regard. So were men like my father. I’d protect Gabriel at all costs. It was a promise I made. It was a debt I owed. Anya protected me all my childhood. I’d protect Gabriel for the duration of his life.

“I don’t want my son around men like you,” I added.

The devil in front of me went deadly still, and it was scarier than the attack that went on around us.

“He’s my brother and you kept him away from me,” he growled.

The infamous temper flared and my eyes narrowed to slits. The fucking balls on this man.