Rafe
Iwalk slowly along the wall’s perimeter. Fifty feet away is the pine forest,
stretching out into the distance, the empty space from there to here a killing zone for
anyone trying to get through.
Theodora walks beside me. Her BMW is parked on the drive back the way we came
as we stroll outside the wall. She’s got her phone out and busies herself getting a call
set up. Eventually Ignazio’s voice comes through the line, though it’s somewhat
scratchy; the service isn’t good in the middle of nowhere.
“—Got news, Don Corvino, and it isn’t news you’ll like.”
“What’s going on?”
“Word came this morning. There’s a problem with the closing documents.”
Theodora stiffens. “Hello, Ignazio, this is Theodora. I don’t think that’s accurate. I
made sure everything was settled.”
“I’m only relaying what I’ve been told. The other lawyer, Mark Thurston, called
and said he found some discr epancies. We talked about it—“
“Hold on a second. You talked?” Theodora’s eyes narrow. She gets that look when
she’s pissed. “This is supposed to be my job.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger now. Mark reached out to me after he couldn’t get
ahold of you.”
Theodora’s jaw works. “What did he say, exactly?”
“Oh, it’s the usual story. Permits, names on dotted lines, I don’t know. Sounded
like a bunch of deflecting.”
I slow, hands clasped behind my back. “Was he fishing for something?”
“I can’t say for sure, but it’s possible. He mentioned some numbers.”
Theodora looks positively radiant with anger.
“That fucking prick,” she snarls. “We had everything hammered out. The rest is a
god damn formality.”
“I agree totally, and yet he’s trying to pull some bullshit.”
“This deal can’t fall through.” I meet Theodora’s gaze and hold it. “There’s too
much at stake.”
“I’ll go back to the city now and sort it out.” She curses and starts toward her car.
“Ignazio, don’t talk to anyone without me present again, understand?”
“I can’t make promises, but I’ll do my best.”
“Do better than that.” She looks at me. “I’ll handle it.”
“Make sure that you do.”
When Theodora’s on the long drive back, I take the morning to myself. June and
Hattie are safely inside; Nunzio’s been updating me on their whereabouts and what
they’ve been doing hourly. I use the time to exercise and to clear my head.
June’s going through a lot. I understand her anger and confusion. I can’t even
blame her for hating me right now.
She didn’t ask for this marriage.
Though I didn’t either.
Taking a wife was never my plan. I wanted to grow old and pass control of the
family over to one of my younger brothers or one of their children. After what
happened, I never dreamed I’d bring life into this world.
I don’t create. I’ve only ever destroyed.
But now my daughter’s here, living under the same roof as me for the first time,
and it’s strange. I ke ep thinking about June...
But I also ke ep obsessing about Hattie.
How am I supposed to be a father?
I raised my brothers, that’s true, but it was different back then.
Our lives were hard. With my parents burned, the remainder of the family was left
to me. I wasn’t ready, but fortunately, there were people to help.
Like Ignazio: he’s been the Corvino accountant since I was a baby. He and a few
other old-timers st epped up to show me the ropes in those early days.
While I was learning how to be the Don, I was also learning how to take care of my
brothers.
Silas wasn’t hard. He’s not too much younger than me. But there are twelve years
between me and Devlin, and I think losing our parents hurt him the most.
He grew up in blood and struggle.
While death’s mantle was forced onto my shoulders.
Can I really bring my daughter up like that? She’s a normal girl. A sweet little girl,
from what I can tell. Not a part of this life, not a hardened monster like me and the
others had to be.
Doesn’t she deserve better than a man that only knows how to hurt?
My thoughts are bleak as I head back to the house.
Soldiers salute as I pass. I nod in return. Nunzio meets me at the door.
“R eport.”
He falls in at my side. “Sir, all quiet so far today. Your wife and daughter made
their way to the wall—“
“What were they doing that far from the house?”
“Exploring, I believe. I warned them not to do it again.”
“Where are they now?”
“Your daughter is in her room watching shows. Your wife is in your room.”
“Thank you, that will be all.”
“Sir—“ Nunzio pauses at my expression. I don’t like being questioned and I hate
when I’m interrupted. When I dismiss an underling, I expect them to be gone. Nunzio
clears his throat. “How long will this last, sir?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Babysitting, sir. You know I’m worth more—“
I give him a withering look and he shuts his mouth, jaw tense. I hold his gaze until
he lowers his to the floor.
“My wife and my daughter are the most important two things in the world right
now. You will protect them with your life. Do you understand?”
“Sir—“
“If you can’t handle this, I’ll make sure to find someone who can.”
“I’ll guard them, sir.”
I stalk away from him. Nunzio is a good lieutenant and a solid captain. I trust him
to do his job, but sometimes he doesn’t know when to ke ep his mouth shut. I tolerate
that side of him, but I’m wondering if I’ll need to reinforce his manners shortly.
I push open the doors into the master suite. For a moment, I think it’s empty until I
hear soft cursing from the closet. I drift over and pause in the doorway. A mess, my
wife standing among it all looking helpless and lost.
God, I’m struck by how beautiful she is. Even with the clothes strewn around her,
hair in a falling-out bun, sweats and a sweatshirt, tired and angry, it’s like she’s
perfect.
If I was worried I made the wrong choice, seeing her there blasts away any
uncertainty.
“Looking for something?”
She turns, startled, and st eps back like I’m toxic.
Which is the right move when confronted with me.
“When did you get there?”
“A second ago. You look flustered.”
“It’s all this stuff.” She gestures around the closet. It’s full of tops, bottoms,
dresses, accessories, and more. “Where did it all come from?”
“Stores, mostly.”
“Hilarious. I mean, it’s all in my size.”
“I know. That’s usually the point when you shop for someone.”
“But how—“ She takes a shuddering breath. “This is really freaking me out.”
“When I knew you’d be coming to live with me, I instructed my personal shopper
to make sure you had everything you’d need. Did you wonder where your clothes
came from last night?”
“They were in Hattie’s room—“ She stops and groans. “You put them there.”
“I had my people do it, but yes.”
“But how did you know my size?”
“A good eye. And I broke into your house to check.”
Her mouth drops open. “You did what?”
“When you were working and Hattie was at school, I photographed most of your
closet.”
“Oh my god. Are you joking?”
“You have way too many pairs of leggings. Who needs sixteen?”
“You’re not joking.” She leans back against the wall as though dizzy.
“If you’re about to pass out, please tell me. I’ll get you into bed.”
“Don’t touch me.” She holds a hand out as if warding me off. “Just, please, stay
away.”
“June, there’s no need to behave like I’m a monster. I didn’t touch anything.”
Though I did take a pair of her panties as a souvenir. I decide not to mention that.
“Stop. Just... stop talking.” She rubs her face with both hands. “God, this is so
fucked up.”
“Look at it from my perspective. People want to hurt you. They want to use you
and Hattie against me. I did what I thought would both protect you and my
organization by making you legitimate. I went out of my way to make you
comfortable—“
“Should I thank you?!”
“That would be nice.”
“Go to hell.”
I st ep into the closet. “I’ve been tolerating your outbursts because you’re in shock
and struggling to come to terms with your new life. But my patience only goes so
far.”
Her cheeks pale. I can imagine what she’s thinking.
But that girl doesn’t know me yet.
“I want my own things.” She raises her chin in defiance and a heat surges into my
chest.
God, this girl is gorgeous.
There’s a reason I’ve been so obsessed with her all these years.
I walk closer. “That isn’t happening.”
“Please, Rafe—“
“It’s not a security issue, mind you. If I wanted to bring your things here, it would
be simple.”
“Then why?”
I stop in front of her. I stoop down and touch her cheek. “Control.”
“What?”
“I want to control what you wear, June. I want to dress you like a doll. I want to
look at you in beautiful things. Didn’t I buy you pretty outfits?”
“Oh my god, Rafe. You’re insane.”
“You’re the wife of a powerful man now. Don’t you understand? You can’t be seen
in Old Navy sweats with pasta stains on the ass. How’d you even sit in sauce,
anyway?”
“Hattie poured it on my chair. This is so sick.”
I stroke her cheek with my thumb. She purrs, nuzzling toward my hand, and
catches herself.
“If there are certain items you can’t live without, tell me and I’ll see what I can do.
But from now on, you are June Corvino. You wear Prada, Gucci,
Yves St. Laurent. Your underwear is lace and silk. Your blouses cost more than
most cars. You will ooze beauty and power. My men will fear you the way they fear
me. Do you understand?”
“That’s not me though.” She meets my gaze. There’s a desperation in her eyes.
“I’ll show you how.”
“Please, I don’t want this.”
“You have to realize that doesn’t matter.” I lean in. She groans as my mouth closes
toward hers, but I pull to the side at the last moment, lips brushing her cheek. She
shivers in my hands. “You’re mine now, love, and I will burn this entire forest to the
ground before I let anyone disrespect or hurt you.”
I release her. It takes a lot of effort. I want to smash my lips to hers, fist her hair,
kiss her until she’s grinding against me, and only then fuck her raw and de ep, make
her scream and shake, make her tremble and beg. I want to ruin her, break her, fuck
her and fill her.
I want to own her.
But it’s a sickness and I have to get myself under control.
“Marnie,” she says, blurting the name out. Her cheeks are flushed pink. “Is she
still alive?”
I nod slowly. “She’s lucky. The doctors say she’ll recover.”
June lets out a sharp sob, leaning forward. I st ep into her reflexively, offering her
support. She acc epts it without seeming to realize what she’s doing. The relief is
physical, her shoulders shaking, and I rub her back.
“I’ve been... so worried...” She looks at me, eyes damp and tears on her cheeks.
“How bad?”
“She’ll have trouble walking.”
“Can I see her?”
“Not yet.”
“She’s in danger though. Someone tried to kill her.”
I’d considered that already, which is why I have two men watching over her at all
times. “We’ll handle Marnie after she has had more time to heal. For now, she’s
where she has to be.”
June nods, wiping her face. “I still don’t understand why they would do that to
her.”
Because of me. That’s why.
Anyone important to me burns.
I’ve learned that lesson the hard way too many times over the years.
I leave her in the closet. I’m a fucking mess. I storm through the halls and pause
outside our daughter’s bedroom door, peering in at Hattie sitting in bed watching a
TV I set up on her bureau, humming to herself. A plush pony is in her lap and she’s
transfixed by the cartoon.
Something in me softens at the sight of my daughter, so calm and happy.
That’s why I’m doing all this.
I force myself away before Hattie notices me.
I’m not ready to talk to her, not yet, and there’s so much work to do.