“Raphael, Dante my children!” An elderly shriek reverberate across the living room.
An elderly woman of Aurora’s age scurried towards Raphael, embracing the tall man in an instant before doing so with Dante.
“Aunty Elisa, I can see you missed us” Raphael said in a mild laughter.
The woman guided all of them into the living room, excitement radiating of her body.
“I did. It is not everytime you come visit us now is it?”she rhetorically asked as they took their seats.
“And her….” her eyes darted to Nicole.
Nicole stood nervous on the spot, her eyes roving around the huge, imperial and spell bounding living room.
It looked as big as Raphael’s living room. Expensive carved furniture littered the living room and the blinding lights from the chandeliers did justice in illuminating everywhere and giving it a very grand display.
About three other people stood in arrival of Raphael and his accolades.
“This is my wife Nicole. Nicole meet Homero’s wife Elisa” Raphael introduced Nicole to the blonde elderly woman.
A smile broke on her lips and she engulfed Nicole in a tight hug.
“You look so beautiful my child”
Homero went over to stand by his wife as she sang praises of Nicole.
“Thank you ma. I’m honoured to be here”
“Call me Elisa” she corrected with a chortle.
Nicole gave a broad smiled at the petite blonde elderly lady. She looked as beautiful as Aurora. Her blonde shoulder length hair had ounces of grey in them and her hazel eyes sparkled like a baby’s.
“Long time no see cousins” a masculine voice spoke.
Nicole watched as the three muscular men that stood in waiting for raphael came towards them.
Dante gave a wily smile “you three look so elated to see us. What’s the catch?”
“We recieved word from Alessio of what happened to you guys. It could have been from a wedding to a funeral”
“Anton” Elisa sharply chided passing him frigid glares.
Anton was tall and muscular like the rest of his brothers. The resemblance was striking; same pointed nose and hazel eyes just like their mother coupled with their blonde hair.
“Mama what did he say wrong?”the second male, Manuel cut in.
“You three are still as mischievous as ever. I heard demand of opium is high in Cuba, I do hope you capos are assisting Alessio and homero in the distribution” Raphael inquired interlocking his hands with Nicole’s and propelling her to sit on his lap.
“Raphael you just got here. Why are you talking business?’ A feminine voice cried out, alighting from one of the broad stair cases that led upstairs.
Their heads whipped to her direction.
“Calm down bro. You just arrived in Cuba”she added teasingly.
Her eyes narrowed to Nicole.
With an aura of confidence, she whipped her caramel coloured hair to a side and gave a smug smile at Nicole.
“Mariposa Garcia, sister to Anton, Manuel and Jose “she extended her hand out to Nicole.
Nicole was caught off guard but nevertheless took her hand shake. “I’m Nicole. Raphael’s wife”
“Oh I know. My brother has a thing for black women. I can see that” she conceitedly said, her eyes locking with Raphael’s.
“So who was responsible for your attack capo dei capi?”Jose asked.
“Diego Perez” Dante simply stated.
They all passed glances at themselves.
“How did he pull that off all by himself?” Manuel threw another question.
“The flight crew assisted him”Homero replied to his son.
“But I definitely know Diego had somebody helping him on this”Raphael said to no one in particular.
“Apart from the flight crew?” Anton asked with a raised brow.
“Yes. He knew our exact location and the time we would get there. Nobody apart from Luis, Valentine and Alessio knew of that” Dante answered, folding his arms across his chest.
“So now we are hunting for Diego. The mother fucker must be in hiding by now. This was a carefully cut out plan”Manuel scowled.
Raphael nodded. “I got word from Lorenzo that Estaban is somewhere in Cuba”
Their eyes shone with such an ominous glint.
“Who is Estaban?’ Nicole asked in a whisper.
“Diego’s second in command. He works hand in hand with Diego in getting children and turning them into assassins. The children are put through rigourous training and any one who isn’t fit is executed” Raphael replied without flickering his eyelids.
Nicole had her features disconcerted in distaste.
“Who would do this to children?”She rhetorically asked.
“Diego and Estaban” Mariposa replied.
“Estaban in cuba? Location?”Homero queried.
Raphael shook his head. “Unknown. I’ll have my men figure it out”
“And then we pay the snake a visit don’t you think so capo?”Jose asked, an uncanny smile etching by the corners of his lips.
“I love the way you think Jose” Raphael smugly replied.
“Enough about the guns and brawls. When will Aurora and Sofia arrive in Cuba?”
“Lorenzo sent a message. They will be landing very soon” Dante said looking at Raphael.
“Feel free to use any of my villas Raphael” Homero offered.
Raphael shook his hand at his uncle. “Homero you don’t have to worry. Arrangements have been made by the Constanzo suits for their stay in Cuba”
“Dante what about Marco and Luca?”
“Marco and Luca are scheduled to leave Mexico tomorrow morning. Alessio and his family will arrive in the evening. He needs the wedding to happen as soon as possible” Dante informed Raphael.
Raphael gave a satisfied nod.
“Once again Homero thank you for taking us in such short notice. We will be leaving…”
Raphael wasn’t allowed to finish the sentence as Elisa interrupted him. “You aren’t going anywhere. Raphael, Dante, you two hardly even visit us. Now you visit and you want to go? Not a chance. You will stay with us until Francesca has concluded her wedding. When my husband informed me of your sudden arrival, I made sure to assign the workers to clean up the guest rooms and I got them packed with clothings and what ever things necessary for your stay here and now you want to go? No way”
“Please stay Raph and Dante. If not mother would not let us hear the end of it in this house” Mariposa interceeded causing chuckles and laughter from every one.
“If you insist aunty Elisa. Who am I to say no to your instructions?”Raphael gave in.
“Great! Rosa, Emeterio” Elisa called out.
A man and a woman claded in black and white long sleeves and trousers accompanied with bowties came walking forward from the kitchen.
“Ilervarlos a sus habitaciones” she instructed.
They nodded and turned towards Raphael, Dante and Nicole.
“Let me go to the kitchen and inform of the chefs to prepare something enthralling” Elisa informed and darted into the kitchen.
“See you three in dinner” Mariposa cheekily winked to which Nicole smiled back at.
* * * * * * * * * *
NICOLE
The open windows welcomed the cold tempting wind inside, the rays of the moonlight creating a parallel limounous pathway in the room.
I laid on the soft sheets of the bed with Raphael lying beside me.
My mind raced through on what we encountered in Mexico.
I almost literally died–about thrice.
It was so fearful and also so thrilling.
I never wished to be whisked into Raphaels world of guns and blood. I was very much ok being just his wife who wasn’t involved in what went on in his mafia but for some unknown reason, we were almost gunned down by assassins.
I tried pushing the event of my mind but the injury on my throat stood to remind me of my almost near death experience.
“What are you thinking my love?” Raphael throaty voice cut into my thoughts.
I turned to face him. “We almost died today Raphael. The thought won’t leave my head”
He let out a gruff chuckle. “Welcome to my world principessa”
He hauled me against his chest and nuzzled by my neck, softly taking in my neck with his tongue.
“Raphael I’m scared. That man–Diego, he is after us” I voiced out my thoughts.
“Don’t be. Your husband is very well capable of protecting you my love” Raphael groaned against my neck, reassuring me.
I hummed in reply as his lips found its way to mine, connecting in an instant. I surrendered myself and totaly melted into his burning tongue.
Giving myself off into the heat Raphael had ignited in me, my hands trailed to his chest, exploring his abs.
Raphael encircled an arm around my throat, gruffly plundering my lips with his tongue.
I whimpered and squirmed. Raphael sure knew how to make me forget my worries.
His masculine scent and dominating attitude got my core dripping and my breath rapid.
“What do you want baby?” Raphael gravelly asked, his voice caressing my lips.
I felt intoxicated by him.
Everything about this man got me aching with need.
“I want… you..” I bemoaned.
“Say it again” he commanded, his lips literally just an inch away from mine.
“I want you.. feed me Mr Raphael”