RAPHAEL
“Thomas please that’s absurd” I sighed, taking my eyes off him.
“But it’s not impossible” Thomas replied unfazed.
“Why exactly would my dad want to harm my mum? For what reason? What would he gain from my mother’s death?” I threw multiple questions at Thomas.
Thomas went silent, slowly averting his gaze from my face. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
“Exactly. Nothing at all links to my dad” I concluded with a hiss.
I don’t know why my mum would make such an absurd claim. It was so saddening watching her rage like an insane lunatic not to talk more of Nicole having to believe her words.
Nothing linked to my dad. What would he stand to gain from killing my mother? If he was truly one of our enemies, why didn’t he just kill us all since?
He knows the in and out of this mafia–all our partners, the drugs, the politicians in our payroll, the ammunitions, our warehouses–name it all; my dad knows it all so why didn’t he destroy us earlier.
What would even make my dad to do such towards us?
I know I and him have such a strained relationship but he is my father and I am his son.
Why would he want to harm his son? It doesn’t make any sense.
“Raphael nobody can be trusted you know” Thomas finally spoke.
“I know” I replied abruptly.
“Doesn’t mean we should take action on just any one” I reminded Thomas.
He nodded.
I faced Thomas intently. I could tell he was thinking. He had his thoughts running wild. Something was disturbing him.
“What are you thinking about Thomas?” I prod into his thoughts.
He gave me a faint smile. “Nothing just how confusing everything has been. How can The Ghost be so close and yet so far? Why is he on to us?”
“Exactly my question Thomas” I snapped my fingers together.
“His name is Lev but lev is dead. Well the only lev we know off. I had Lorenzo and Marco look into our various partnership deals during my flight to Mexico and not a single of our partners beared the name Lev. I had to do a thorough background check on all of our business partners again and I found nothing relating to that Russian name ‘Lev’. People don’t come back from the dead so who the fuck is this Lev!” I yelled hitting my fist.
“Calm down Raphael” Thomas advised, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I shot my icy eyes closed for some seconds before flying them back open.
“What’s the plan?” Thomas waited for my next line of action.
“Diego’s phone, all his electronic gadgets. I want every single information that would lead us to the ghost. Mario’s own led us to no where so I hope Diego has some relevant information in his” I instructed Thomas.
He nodded and raked my appearance causing me to glare at him.
“What?” I scowled.
“You look so infuriated today Raphael. Tell me what’s wrong?”
Was I really that mad that my body language spoke it in millions?
Damn it! I try so hard to contain my rage but remembering that Nicole stormed off to heaven knows where with miles got bombs exploding in my head.
Whenever I thought of it, I felt nothing but to strangle miles.
“Nicole is making me this mad” I told Thomas.
“Why?” Thomas let out a suppressed laugh.
“She went out with Miles”
“So?” Thomas shrugged his shoulders.
“Without my permission!” I flared up at Thomas nonchalant reply.
What did he mean by so?
“Did you even ask her where she went to?” Thomas perched into my thought.
“I don’t need to know. All I need is that she stay away from Miles” I replied, seething with anger.
“You act too dominating and possessive Raphael”
I shot him an icy glare.
“Don’t give me that look. You know you are. Don’t you trust Nicole? She wouldn’t do anything amorous. I can bet my life on that. And I’m pretty sure their going out wasn’t to have fun. Why don’t you ask her to find out why she went instead of storing anger in your self and exploding on the slightest provocation” Thomas tried to reason with me.
It wasn’t a bad idea. I probably should know the reason.
But still, why didn’t she ask for my permission?
Was she that frightened of me that she choose to go without letting me know?
It wasn’t just because I didn’t trust miles. I had to know that my wife was in safe hands at all time.
“I trust Nicole but I don’t trust miles” I made it known to Thomas.
“He saved Nicole’s life once Raphael. Her car crashed into his” Thomas reminded of Nicole’s accident.
That day was literally the darkest day of my life. Thinking of it ignites a deadly fear within me— fear of loosing Nicole.
“But Raphael please talk to Nicole about this ok”
I nodded. Thomas turned to go upstairs.
“One more thing Thomas” I spoke making him stop jet tracks.
“Tell Dante to go back to Italy” I instructed.
“Why?” Thomas questioned my motives.
“I need someone watching Nicole as Leila is beginning to do more than what I asked of her”
* * * * * * *
NICOLE
I laid on the soft sheets of I and Raphael’s bed, letting myself sink into it.
Fuck. I’ve been trying to reach Raphael but he wouldn’t just pick my call.
Was he that mad at me? Didn’t he want to know why I went with miles in the first place?
Oh Lord. Leila was the pain in my ass. I could only imagine how she brought the news to Raphael that got him this exasperated with me.
I just need to clear his doubts. I don’t want my husband to start doubting my intentions with Miles.
I felt like punching Leila a thousand times right now. I groaned out in bitter frustration when the ringing of my phone which was lying on the bed came through.
I stretched out my hand to reach it and my eyes lit up on seeing the caller.
Raphael!
I shot up immedately and straightened my spine, answering the call in no time.
“Hello Raphael. I’ve been trying to reach you but you ain’t picking. I swear it isn’t how Leila painted it to you. If you would hear me out I will explain why I went out with miles. You can also call him yourself to confirm” I rambled in my speech.
“That won’t be necessary Bella” Raphael sighed. “But why did you go out?” He added.
I told Raphael every thing, clearing off any doubt he had that I went out with him to have a good time and chill.
Raphael listened to my explanation, not saying a word.
His silence got me even more terrified. What if he felt I was lying?
“I’ve heard you bella. I’m sorry for my behaviour the other time I called. But please next time inform me of your movements Nicole. I want to be sure that my wife is safe at all time. You are my life Nicole. I can’t afford to loose you or see you in danger”
I heaved a sigh of relief and my heart melted instantly at Raphael’s words.
“I’ll. I’m sorry for not telling you before hand” I smiled.
“You can go take the job offer”
My jaws dropped to the floor and my eyes shone dazzling lights.
What did i just hear? This felt too good to be true.
“Really!?” I almost screamed.
“Of course but you will have one of my men take you and bring you back ok” Raphael chuckled.
Ofcourse. I was totally cool with that.
“Sure capo dei capi” I sensually replied.
I could sense he was smirking over the phone.
“I love the way you say it. I’ll get you moaning it soon” Raphael huskily told me before ending the call.
I giggled to myself and fell back on the bed. What the hell happened? Raphael literally accepted for me to take on the job offer?
It felt like a dream. I couldn’t believe it. I honestly had a gut feeling that he would not but he totally got me stunned by his approval.
Seems like I’m about to start a whole new phase of my life.
I can only wish it goes well.