Page 80 of Raphael

RAPHAEL

Sailor’s body stiffened next to me while I fought the urge to drag my bride up to my bedroom and indulge myself in her body. She looked beautiful in her wedding dress. Silvery and white. She looked exquisite. Her blonde hair was in a braided bun, sunrays giving her a halo look, and she barely had any make-up on. And still, she was the most beautiful woman I had seen.

Her mouth was swollen from my kiss and she had the look of a woman who had been freshly fucked. And damn if it didn’t make my cock rock-hard the way her body felt in my arms. Pliant and soft.

Yet, right now she watched me with disdain. As if she was horrified with herself. It was enough to sour my mood. It annoyed the hell out of me that I even cared.

“I’ll decide what to tell Gabriel,” she gritted through clenched teeth. “And when.”

And fuck, if that didn’t piss me off. Yes, he was her son, well technically nephew, but he was my brother too. He had the right to know that we were related and the longer we waited, the harder it would be.

“Let’s go.” My voice was cold and unnaturally calm. The change in her demeanor was evident. At least to me.

We left the back of the house that faced the sunset and headed for the formal dining room. We walked in silence, her smile slightly reserved as we walked past our guests that consisted of our closest friends. Gabriel, Caine, Luciano with his wife, Cassio and Nico with their significant others, the Nikolaev men, my sister, and Aurora’s best friends.

And of course, one trusted reporter who would publish an article tomorrow so both her family and the Tijuanas understood if they hurt her, they’d earn my wrath.

Once in the hallway, I could sense her relaxing with each step towards the dining room where we’d have a celebratory dinner. The room was decorated with candles and flowers. Subtle and tastefully done. Nothing about it was over-the-top, and I could tell by the look on Sailor’s face that she was pleasantly surprised.

“This is nice,” she murmured.

“What did you expect? Piñatas?”

Her eyes narrowed on me. “No, not piñatas.” Then attempted to jerk her arm out of my grip. Unsuccessfully. “You don’t have to be such a jerk,” she hissed in a low voice.

She was right. Of course, she was, but it rubbed me the wrong way that she acted like that fucking kiss didn’t set off fireworks.

Once at the head of the table, I pulled out the chair for her and she silently sat down. Once seated she turned her attention to her friends seated to the left of her. The rest of the guests filled the room while Caine sat to my right.

He glanced at Sailor, scanning her with an appreciative gaze and jealousy filled me. Goddamn it, what the fuck was going on with me around this woman?

“You look beautiful,” he praised. “The most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”

She smiled softly, her cheeks flushing slightly. Fucking great, now I was ready to kill my most trusted man.

“Caine,” I growled and surprise flashed on his face. I was never the jealous and possessive type.

He raised his hands up, as if surrendering. “No worries, boss. She’s married. I don’t mess around with married women.”

Sailor scoffed, rolling her eyes and then turned to talk to her friend while Caine updated me on the security.

“One attempted breach.”

A low growl vibrated in my chest. “Who?”

From the moment I was forced back into our family business, I had Caine run detailed checks on everyone that worked for me. The men and women that set foot on my island underwent extra background checks along with their families - from the cook to the maid and every guard.

He gave me a pointed look and nothing additional was needed.Beatrice.

My fist clenched so tight that my fingers started cramping. “Where?” The word was barely recognizable as I gritted it through my teeth.

Caine glanced beside me, then answered in a low voice, “She tried to swim over from a boat.”

“What boat?” Beatrice didn’t have a boat.

“A new boyfriend. We’re digging up information on him. Apparently, she convinced him to drive over here.”

“So there is a stranger that knows this island’s location?” I growled.