“There are a lot of things you don’t know,” he finally said.
Really? You don’t say! she said in her head and gave him the look to match her words.
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “That part is obvious.” He gestured to himself. “I want to tell you everything…”
“Then do it,” she interrupted. “What’s the point in lying now?”
“But I can’t,” he finished.
“Mhm.” She didn’t believe that. It wasn’t that he couldn’t. Rafa simply wouldn’t.
“It’s complicated, Steph.” He ran a hand down his face.
“It always is,” she mumbled.
“You don’t understand,” he replied.
“No. You’re right. I don’t,” she interrupted again. “Because yesterday, you were dead. Four years ago, I watched you die! I held you in my arms as you breathed your last breath. But stupid me! Because here you are,” she ranted. “So, yeah. You’re right. I don’t fucking understand!”
They stood there staring at each other. Steph’s chest rising and falling as her anger seemed to grow.
“I’m sorry,” he finally whispered.
And it was like she’d been slapped in the face. “Get out,” she told him between clenched teeth.
“Steph…”
“Get the fuck out!” she shouted.
“No.”
Before she could say another word, Rafa had her pressed against the wall, the coffee mug falling from her hand to shatter on the floor. His hands went to her face, then tangled in her hair. His lips crashed against hers and he devoured her mouth.
She wanted to push him away. To slap him. But she didn’t. Her hands fisted in his shirt and instead of pushing him away, she pulled him closer. His body pressed against hers felt like coming home. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the feel of him against her, until that moment.
She felt one of his hands move to the back of her head. The other traveled down her neck to the outter side of her breast. Her body yearned for his touch even as her mind screamed for her to push him away. While at the same time, her heart begged to get closer to him.
He caught her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and he tweaked the tight little bud. It sent shockwaves straight to her core that caused her brain to immediately shut off and Steph moaned at the pleasure he caused. Her heart and body had won the battle.
His mouth traveled down her neck.
Her hands went to his hair as she tried to guide him to where she needed him the most. But Rafa wasn’t having it. He growled as his teeth bit down on her tender flesh, making it clear that he was the one in charge.
Heat flooded her center.
His mouth moved down toward her cleavage as his hand skimmed under the hem of her shirt and slowly worked its way to her breast. Cupping it, Rafa massaged it and rubbed a thumb over her already sensitive nipple.
Releasing her hair, his other hand delved under her shirt. His hands were forceful, yet tender. They owned every spot they touched.
Steph grabbed the hem of her shirt, ready to rip it off; however, a hard knock on the door had them jumping away from each other. Both breathing heavily and staring at each other with widened eyes. Steph blinked and shook her head as she tried to gather her bearings.
Holy shit, she thought, blowing out a slow breath.
When the door opened, Steph was still against the wall, blocked from view, but judging by the look on Rafa’s face, she knew who was entering her room.
“Well, well, well,” Franco said, his gaze bouncing between the two of them. “What do we have here?”
He slowly walked over to Steph. His eyes raked over her. The heated look he gave, disgusted her. And her face must have shown it.
“What?” he asked. “My brother is good enough for you, but I’m not?”
Steph scrunched up her nose.
“I can promise you, Mi Amor.” He leaned closer to her, his face mere scant inches from her own. “I am a much better lover than he.”
Steph thought she was going to vomit. And it was made even worse when Franco grabbed her by the hair and crushed her mouth with his.
Shocked, she froze for a split second. Then she came back to reality and pushing him away, she bit down on his tongue as he tried to force it into her mouth.
“You little bitch!” he said, covering his mouth.
He raised a hand to slap her, but Rafa grabbed his arm. “Don’t even think about touching her,” Rafa hissed. “I will rip you limb from limb.”
Franco yanked his arm away. “Have you lost your mind?” he demanded loudly. “Have you forgotten who I am? What I can do?”
“No.” Rafa shook his head. “But apparently, you have forgotten we carry the the same blood, brother. I can be just as violent.”
Franco laughed.
Steph might have joined him if it wasn’t for the look on Rafa’s face. Steph had never seen him so… pissed. Rafa had always been a kind soul. He was the person who offered comfort. However, that wasn’t the same man standing in front of her now.
“You could never be me,” Franco seethed.
“You’re right,” Rafa agreed. “Because you’re soulless. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t or can’t toe the line. Whatever truce we had, consider it void.”
Franco yanked from Rafa’s hold.
“Don’t cross me, Rafael,” Franco warned. “You won’t…”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Rafa interrupted. “I won’t like the consequences. Yep. Heard it all before.” Rafa spoke as if he were bored with the conversation. “Nothing new.”
“Is this how it’s going to be?” Franco asked, clearly angry.
“You made it this way when you reneged on our agreement.” Rafa glared. “The moment you went after her,” he pointed at Steph, “all was done.”
“And how do you think Mother and Angelica will feel about this?” Franco questioned. The smile on his face made Steph’s skin crawl.
Momentarily, fear flashed in Rafa’s eyes, but then it was gone. “If you touch either of them, I’ll bathe in your fucking blood.”
Steph didn’t know what Franco was thinking but seeing the look in Rafa’s eyes as he said those words, she believed every single one of them.
She glanced between the brothers as they stood there staring each other down until Franco turned on his heels and stormed out of the room. When the door slammed closed behind him, Steph turned her gaze back to Rafa.
“What in the hell is going on?” she demanded.
“Not now.” He grabbed her hand. “We have to find my mom and sister.”
He yanked her toward him and together they left the room. The two guards that were standing in the hallway were the same ones from last night. As they passed, Stephanie just smiled at them both. Neither moved to stop them.
She had no idea what was going on, but she intended to find out. For now, she would allow Rafa to keep his secret, but as soon as they found his sister and mom – all bets were off. She would get her answers. One way, or another.
Chapter Six
Rafael
He was grateful that Steph hadn’t decided to push the issue, but Rafa knew her complacency wouldn’t last forever. Eventually, he’d have to tell her everything. However, now, all he could think about was finding his mom and sister. He had to get to them before Franco.
His heart pounded against his chest in fear.
He should have kept his mouth shut. He should have stayed away from Steph. But he knew that wasn’t possible. Once he found out she was there, his heart demanded her nearness. Rafa had dreamt of the day that they would be reunited, but never thought it would ever happen. There was so much that he needed to tell her, that he had no idea where to even begin or if she would even believe him.
But first, he had to find his family and get them all out of there. Franco would be seething for some type of payback and he knew, the only way he could hit Rafa where it hurt – was to use Angelica and their mother against him.
He
shoved open the door to the kitchen and hurried across the room, pushing workers out of his way. A few of them grumbled, but most scurried away. Yanking open another door, he felt inside for the light switch.
“Where are we going?” Steph asked, looking over his shoulder to see the steep concrete steps that seemed to lead to hell.
“The basement,” he told her. “Come on, I have to find them before Franco does.”
She didn’t say anything else. Silently, Steph followed him downstairs but when the basement level of the house came into view, he felt her stiffen. Rafa half expected her to yank away from him and demand to know what was going on, but she didn’t. Recovering quickly, she continued after him.
He internally groaned because he knew with each step they took, he would have more and more to explain later.
They weaved around the workstations where people were weighing and packaging products. Rafa shoved his way between two men that were just standing there talking. “Move.”
They continued through the rest of the large room and down a short hallway without incident. As they rounded the corner, relief rushed through him when he saw his sister. “Angelica!” he shouted.
Her eyes grew large. “What?” She rushed toward him. “What are you doing here?” she asked, then looked behind him. “What is she doing here? Rafa!”
“Stop.” He waved a hand in her face. “We have to go. Where’s Mom?”
“What?” Fear filled her eyes. “What happened? What did you do?”
“I’ll explain later, Angelica,” he snapped. “Where’s Mom?”
“In there.” She pointed toward another door.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand.
Now dragging Stephanie and Angelica behind him, he went in search of his mother. If she was still where his sister said she would be, then they were going to make it out easily. The laundry room had an exit that would lead them out to the parking lot.
Opening the door, they all filed in. Rafa ducked his head out to make sure none of Franco’s goons were following them. Seeing that the hall was empty aside from the normal people milling around, he quickly closed the door and searched for his mom. He found her with Angelica, both of them talking rapidly in Spanish.
“Mijo!” his mother called. “What have you done?” His mom looked between him and Stephanie.
“Doesn’t matter right now,” he told her. “We need to leave.”
“Leave where?” she asked. “We have nowhere to go.”
“My house,” Stephanie interjected. “My family will keep y’all safe.”
His mom shook her head. “Nobody can keep us safe from Franco.”
“Trust me,” Stephanie told her, “they can and will.”
“Mom…”
His mother looked nervous and she wrung her hands. “Mijo…” Tears started to fill her eyes.
“Mama,” Angelica said softly. “This is our chance. Please?”
His mother took one look at his sister’s pleading eyes and she nodded her head. Relief washed through him. There was no way he could have left his mom behind. Not only would she be forced to suffer the consequences for Rafa’s actions, but Franco would also make her pay for them leaving.
“Okay.” He looked around the room. There were a few people there, but for the most part, it was quite empty. Which, as he stood there thinking about it, was odd. Looking at his mom, Rafa asked, “Where is everyone?”
His mom shrugged.
“I sent them elsewhere.”
He turned to see Franco stepping out from behind a set of stackable washers and dryers. Rafa quickly moved in front of everyone.
“No reason for innocent people to get hurt.” Franco shrugged. “Now, give me Stephanie, and Mom and Angelica will not be hurt.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Rafa asked him.
“I don’t care what you believe,” Franco replied. “Truthfully, I could just kill you all and it wouldn’t make a difference to me.”
“Franco!” his mother scolded. “Your father would not want this of you.”
“Who cares?” Franco laughed. “Father was a fool. A broke fool.”
Rafa felt his mother stiffen. He moved to take a step forward but felt a hand on his arm. He looked to his left to find Stephanie standing next to him. The look on her face made his stomach turn.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Get them out of here. I’ll be fine.”
“What?” he asked, confused. “No.” He shook his head. “I’m not leaving without you.”
She ignored him and turned to address Franco. “I’ll come to you, but you have to allow the three of them to leave.”
“Deal!” Franco smiled.
“Unharmed,” she added.
Franco looked annoyed. “Fine.”
“Now.”
Franco groaned. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Rafa took the moment of distraction to tap Stephanie on the arm. “What are you fucking doing?” he whispered.
She shook her head for just a millisecond, but it was enough for him to notice. He wasn’t sure what her plan was, but he didn’t like it. He wasn’t a fan of anything that put her in danger or took her away from him again.
“Go,” Franco finally said. “Now, before I change my mind.”
Rafa looked at Stephanie. He knew she could take care of herself, but still, he felt torn. What was he supposed to do? Protect her, or his mother and sister?
“Go,” she told him. “Get them out of here.”
He grabbed her face and crushed her lips under his. The kiss felt like a goodbye, and it ripped at his heart until he thought he couldn’t breathe.
“Enough!” Franco shouted.
“I love you,” Rafa whispered, his forehead pressed against hers.
“I love you, too,” she told him. “Always.”
“Rafa…” Angelica whispered. “It’s okay. We can stay.”
“No,” Franco yelled. “Get out! Or die.”
His guards all pulled out their guns.
Stephanie stepped in front of everyone and Rafa almost screamed out loud. He felt her hand reach for him and squeeze his before she released it and took one step forward.
“Rafa, take your family and leave,” she said, this time with more force.
He took a step back, forcing his mom and sister to move toward the door. If he could just get them outside, maybe he could get to Stephanie before he lost her again because each step that he took away from her, caused the hole in his heart to grow.
Feeling behind him, he found the doorknob and twisted it. “Out,” he told them. “Get to my car.” He passed Angelica the keys. “Start it and be waiting,” he whispered low.
She looked him in the eyes, then nodded.
He waited as she grabbed his mother’s hand and dragged her out of the building before he turned back to the scene behind him.
“What are you still doing here?” Franco asked. “Get out.”
“Not without her.” He pointed at Stephanie.
“Rafa…” She shook her head. “Just go.”
He watched, stunned as she stepped backward, right into his brother’s arms. The smug look on Franco’s face had Rafa seeing red.
“What the fuck?” Rafa asked.
Franco’s arms snaked around her waist and Rafa though he was going to be sick. He watched, stunned, as his brother brought his head down and planted a kiss against the side of Stephanie’s neck.
Rafa’s hands balled into fists. He couldn’t take it anymore. He couldn’t stand there and watch his woman in his brother’s arms.
He stepped forward, ready to fight to have Steph by his side, but he was too late. Her arms wrapped around Franco’s head and using his weight and height, Stephanie swung her legs up and high kicked one guard before grabbing his gun and turning it on the other.
“No, no, no.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that.” She took a step back, and then another. “Did you honestly think I would stay here with you?” she asked Franco. “Eww!”<
br />
“You’ll pay for this!” Franco hissed.
“Nah.” She shook her head again. “But you will.”
The shot fired and the washing machine exploded. Water and bubbles blasted everywhere as she grabbed his hand and yanked him toward the door. A bullet whizzed past his head.
Stephanie stopped, planted her feet, and fired back. She hit one guard and then the other. She pointed the barrel of the handgun toward Franco. “Three…” She began to count. “Two…” She waited for a split second.
Franco ripped open the other door and ducked out before she said one and pulled the trigger. With him gone, they both escaped out of the exit and ran toward his car.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Rafa said as he rounded the front of the car and opened the door.
“You weren’t supposed to be there to see it!” she fired back.
He slammed the car into gear and stomped on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward and sprayed gravel as he tore out of the parking lot and down the driveway.
He knew things weren’t finished between them and Franco. His brother would send people after them. All Rafa could hope for was that he could put enough distance between them to at least give them a fighting chance.
“Does anyone have a phone?” Steph asked.
He pulled his from his pocket and handed it to her. “Who are you calling?”
“My dad,” she replied.
If dealing with Franco worried him, the thought of coming face to face with Stephanie’s father, petrified him to his core.
Please, don’t let him kill me... Please, don’t let him kill me… Please, don’t let him kill me.
Chapter Seven
Stephanie
She dialed the number and prayed her dad would answer. She knew he had a bad habit of not answering calls if the number wasn’t already in his contacts.
Come on, dad…
The phone rang four times before she finally heard his voice. “Hello?”
“Dad!” Oh, thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
Capturing Stephanie: Devil's Henchmen MC Next Generation, Book Three Page 3
