by K. S. Ruff
Rafael helped me into the car. “No, love. He’ll be expecting an answer tonight.”
“I can’t believe we’re going to live apart.” We’d practically lived together for nine months, fourteen if you counted our time together in Paris. I forced my composure back into place. “I shouldn’t complain. This is a small sacrifice to make. I’ll finish my degree, and you’ll nail every last man who abused those children. Then, we’ll be together either here or in Virginia, and we’ll never be parted again.”
Rafael nodded although a scowl marked his face. He pulled out of the garage.
I pulled my skirt a little closer so it wouldn’t interfere with the clutch. “What do you want to do about the wedding?”
He turned onto the Avenida da Liberdade. “We’re going to proceed as planned. I reserved the Monserrate Palace. I told them we want to be married while the sun is setting. Should we plan to have the reception there? They offered to set up a large tent with tables and chairs.”
I nodded. While we originally discussed having a small, intimate wedding, the guest list had taken on a life of its own. We were now up to fifty-three people; to include my family, Kimme and Dan, our friends from Virginia, Benjamim, Eva, and Rafael’s friends from the police force, some of whom I suspected were knights. I hadn’t given much thought to a reception, but I liked the idea of having everything in one place. “That sounds good. Will they allow us to bring in a caterer?”
He nodded. “Yes, but there’s only one caterer who is allowed on the premises.”
“Well, that’s one less decision we have to make,” I noted gratefully. I was still questioning how I was going to pull this off while immersed in school and working on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Rafael glanced at me. “I’m happy to manage the logistics. Honestly, planning our wedding will help keep me sane while you’re away. If you send the invitations, choose the dresses and the flowers for your bouquets, then I can manage the rest.”
“I would like to choose your ring,” I interjected. “Although, I do want your input. Maybe we can go ring shopping after Christmas.” I couldn’t believe Christmas was only three days away.
Rafael stopped in front of the Four Seasons Hotel. He helped me from the car before handing his keys to the valet. “Shall we?”
I tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. “We shall.”
Rafael nodded at the doorman. “Boa noite.”
He nodded politely while holding the door. “Boa noite.”
My heels clicked against gleaming marble floors. The lobby offered a number of sitting areas anchored by sage and gold embroidered rugs. Large windows lined the wall opposite a contemporary painting depicting centaurs. “Interesting décor.”
Rafael assessed the crowd while I admired the décor inside the Pedro Leitão ballroom. Long ceiling to floor tapestries framed an entire wall’s worth of glass doors. The tapestries were pulled back and the doors were open, beckoning guests into a softly lit garden. Little specks of light from the crystal chandeliers danced along the ceiling, the rose colored walls, columns, and marble floor. “Wow,” was the only word I could muster.
Rafael handed me a glass of champagne just as Benjamim called our names. Our friends stood beneath a massive painting of a mythical tree with metallic gold leaves. Rafael cut through the crowd with his hand planted possessively on my lower back.
Eva kissed my cheek. “You look lovely, Kristine.”
“Thanks, Eva. You look stunning.” She was wearing a red formfitting dress with a sweetheart neckline that revealed even more cleavage than my corseted bodice. The embroidered sleeves scrolled over her shoulders and arms as if they’d been tattooed directly onto her skin.
Benjamim kissed my cheek. “Truly, you rival the artwork and the garden with that dress.”
My cheeks flushed pink. “Thank you, Benjamim.”
Rafael shook his friend’s hand. “That reminds me. Are you available May 21st? That’s the day we’ve chosen for our wedding, and I’d like you to be my best man.”
“I would be honored.” Benjamim’s eyes glistened as the two men fell into a hug.
Rafael reached for my hand. “Now that I’ve secured my best man, would you like to dance?”
“I would love to.” I set my glass on the table next to his.
He gave Eva a quick kiss. “Please forgive me, but I’m anxious to dance with my fiancé.”
Eva offered a knowing smile. “Benjamim and I will be in the garden.”
Rafael led me to the dance floor. With a playful twist, he pulled me into a waltz.
I smiled, thoroughly amused. “Any idea what we’re dancing to?”
He moved closer to the violinists. “Tchaikovsky’s ‘Valse Sentimentale.’”
My eyebrows rose. I wasn’t really expecting him to know. “What type of music would you like for our wedding?”
Rafael looked thoughtful. “A pianist or a violinist would be nice for the ceremony, but I’d prefer a band for the reception.”
“That sounds perfect, although… I’m beginning to question the sunset wedding.”
He stopped dancing. “Why? I thought you loved seeing the sun set over the palace gardens.”
I stepped a little closer. “Do you remember when you took me to see the sunrise at Lewes Beach?”
Rafael nodded.
My hand slid from his shoulder to his chest. “You told me that sunsets make you feel sad, like you just lost something.”
“That’s true. They do.” He gazed deep into my eyes.
“I don’t want the sun setting on our relationship while we exchange our wedding vows,” I admitted softly.
Slowly, we resumed dancing. “We can schedule the wedding a little earlier if you’d like.”
I took a deep breath and slowly released it. “You told me you prefer to watch the sun rise. You like how the morning sun beckons new beginnings.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes.
Mischief danced in mine. “I think we should drag all of our loved ones out of bed in the dead of night so we can exchange our vows at sunrise.”
Rafael laughed. Loudly.
I watched him turn the idea in his head.
A number of emotions played across Rafael’s face. Excitement won out in the end. “We can line the trail between the parking lot and the palace with luminarias. The palace is lit at night, so our guests would get to see Monserrate Palace glowing against the night sky… a glorious sight few people ever see… and imagine their surprise when the sun rises! Most of our guests wouldn’t know about the magnificent gardens surrounding them until the moment the sun crept over the palace.”
I grinned. I knew it was crazy, dragging everyone out of bed so early in the morning, but with an evening wedding, our guests would arrive shortly before sunset. They would catch only the briefest glimpse of the palace gardens before the grounds grew dark. The entire reception would be held in the dark, which was truly a shame given all the natural beauty surrounding Monserrate Palace. If we were married in the morning, our guests could explore the gardens and the palace in the light of day. “Just think, with all of the wonderful pastries Portugal is famous for, we could host a brunch instead of dinner… serve bica, mimosas, and Vinho Verde at the reception. We could still include a band and dance the morning away. We would have the entire day to celebrate.”
“I think that’s a brilliant idea.” His lips slanted over mine.
“Ahem…”
Rafael looked up. “Comandante, I had a feeling you’d be cutting in, but I wasn’t expecting it to be in the middle of a kiss.”
Chief D’Souza laughed. “Please, by all means, finish your kiss.”
Rafael looked at me.
I pressed my finger to his lips. “Later,” I promised.
Chief D’Souza’s smile widened. “May I have this dance?”
My chin rose ever so slightly. “You may.”
Grudgingly, Rafael tucked my hand in his.
The police chief whisked me
away. “Are you enjoying the ball, Senhorita Stone?”
“Yes, very much so.” I surveyed the room. “I hope you secure enough donations to provide for your injured officers and their families.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “What do you think of our city?”
My shoulders began to relax. Chief D’Souza was an adept dancer. “I love Lisbon. The people are friendly. The food is amazing. The weather is perfect. The architecture and art are fascinating. Even your sidewalks are pretty.”
Chief D’Souza laughed. “That they are.” He spun me under his arm. “Has Rafael made a decision?”
I glanced at him in surprise. “I think Rafael would prefer to answer that question for you.”
“I’d prefer the answer came from you.” A hint of amusement sparked in his eyes.
“Why?” I blurted incredulously.
“So I can gauge how you feel about the decision.”
I stared at him for a couple of heartbeats. “Rafael will be returning on a temporary basis to assist with the investigation.”
He nodded. Once. “And if he decides to remain on a more permanent basis?”
My eyes narrowed. “Then I will support him in that decision.”
“Will you marry him regardless?”
“Of course,” I bristled. “I love Rafael with all my heart.”
His eyes darkened. “I was the first officer who responded… the one who found him kneeling in blood, praying for a miracle with both parents in his arms. I had to remove Rafael’s father from his arms, force him to focus on his mother, and then re-direct his anguish when she passed away. I gave him a constructive outlet for all that anger and pain. I empowered him to save others and to make this world a better place.”
I choked back tears. “You love Rafael… like a son.”
“I do.” He sighed. “I tried everything to piece that young man back together. He followed my advice. He welcomed every challenge, exceeded every expectation, and poured himself into his work.”
“You did good,” I whispered. “Rafael’s a courageous man. He has a huge heart. He’s selfless and kind. He’s devoted his life to protecting others.”
“But he was still hurt and lost,” Chief D’Souza noted, “until he met you.”
I shook my head sadly. “I’m afraid I’ve hurt more than helped Rafael.”
“You’re referring to Michael,” he surmised rather astutely. “You’re not the one who shot Michael.”
“I put everyone’s life at risk when I went to work in Ukraine,” I persisted.
“Including your own,” he rebutted softly. “You were in Ukraine because you wanted to help others… because you wanted to make this world a safer place. Don’t you see, Kristine? You were the missing piece.”
I eyed him uncertainly.
“I gave the man a purpose, but that wasn’t enough. You… you healed his heart.” He tucked my hand against his chest. “There’s one thing you should understand before you marry this man. Rafael needs you just as much as you need him.”
Goosebumps trickled down my arms and back. Michael didn’t want Rafael to join the police force. Benjamim claimed he had a death wish. And now, the man who recruited Rafael for special ops described him as hurt and lost. I knew he’d been deeply affected by his parents’ death, but he’d always appeared so capable and strong. Not once had I considered the fact that Rafael might be every bit as broken as me.
Chief D’Souza stopped dancing, although my hand remained clasped to his chest. “You will love and support him in his efforts to protect those who are vulnerable whether through the police force, his private security firm, or the Templar.”
I blinked back my surprise. “Yes. Of course.” Hadn’t we already covered this?
“And you will continue to devote your life to helping others?”
I thought it odd that he was focusing on my goals, but I nodded all the same. “Yes. I’m afraid I’m hardwired that way.”
He battled a smile. “You’ll keep the Templar’s secret?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I glanced around nervously.
He lowered his voice even more. “Do you solemnly vow both secrecy and support for Rafael Tiago Garcia and his fellow knights?”
“Yes,” I answered distractedly. Why was Chief D’Souza asking me this here? Was he questioning my willingness to follow through with the required vows?
He raised a single eyebrow.
“Yes,” I answered more firmly.
This time he smiled. “In exchange for this vow of secrecy and support, the Knights Templar will aid and protect you, wherever you live for as long as you may live.”
“V…vow?” I stammered.
Chief D’Souza lifted his hand and mine, revealing the service pin on his tux.
My eyes widened when I realized what it was. The ivory circle in the center of the pin displayed a white cross with red trim. The round pin was surrounded by a gold, fiery looking star. “The Order of Christ Cross,” I whispered in awe.
“You were appointed the grand master’s designee,” Rafael stated from directly behind me.
I spun around. “What?”
Chief D’Souza clasped Rafael’s shoulder. “Senhorita Stone has issued the required vows. She is everything you claimed and more. You have our blessing. I expect an invitation to the wedding, of course.”
Rafael shook his hand before tucking me beneath his arm. “Obrigado, Comandante. We value your blessing, and you’re already on the guest list.”
Chief D’Souza smiled before adopting a business-like tone. “You will report to work January four?”
“Yes,” Rafael assured him. “I will return to work on January fourth.”
“Very well then.” Chief D’Souza clasped, then kissed my hand. “I enjoyed spending time with you, Senhorita Stone. Thank you for the dance.”
“Thank you,” I answered softly. I looked at Rafael when he stepped off the dance floor. “What just happened?”
He turned me so that our bodies were flush. “Chief D’Souza has accepted your oath of fealty to the Order on behalf of the grand master. I wasn’t expecting him to solicit those vows here. I thought there would be a private meeting.”
I breathed a small sigh of relief. “Well, I’m glad that’s over, but it would have been nice to have some sort of preamble or warning before he began asking those questions.” He’d pretty much just blindsided me.
Rafael glanced curiously after the police chief. “He probably thought it would be less stressful for you.”
I linked my hands behind his neck. “On the plus side, I’ve been authorized to marry a knight.”
He dipped me back over his arm. “Not just any knight.”
I chuckled softly. “No, Rafael. You’re not just any knight. You’re my knight.”
With smoldering eyes, he claimed the kiss we’d been deprived.
* * * * *
I scooted forward. “I know what I want to do for Christmas.”
“What?” Rafael slid his legs around me while easing into the steaming tub.
I leaned back against his chest. “I don’t want to exchange gifts. I want to purchase gifts for the children at the Casa Pia Orphanage instead.”
“There are over four thousand children at the Casa Pia Orphanage,” Rafael warned. He reached for the cedar and sage soap we purchased at the outdoor market after securing pastries from the corner bakery.
“You don’t think I can manage four thousand gifts? Clearly, you don’t know who you’re marrying.” I thoroughly enjoyed throwing those words back at him.
He looked doubtful. “You’re going to purchase four thousand gifts in two days?”
I turned and faced him while kneeling between his legs. “Give me your phone.”
He set the bar of soap aside and handed me his phone.
I scrolled through his contacts with a ridiculously smug look on my face. My eyes met his when I hit send. “Olá, Eva?”
“Hâlo, Kristine. Como vai?” Eva answered.
“Bem, orbrigada. E vocês?” I replied.
“Está tudo,” Eva said, nearly exhausting my ability to speak Portuguese. “What are you doing?”
My eyes travelled Rafael’s naked body and mine. “Um…” I decided an honest answer wasn’t required. “I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Really?” she replied. “Does this favor require shopping?”
Rafael pulled the phone away from my ear and switched it to speaker so he could hear both sides of the conversation.
I grinned. “Yes. Actually, this favor is going to require a ton of shopping. Instead of exchanging gifts with Rafael, I’d like to purchase gifts for the children at the Casa Pia Orphanage. I want to deliver them in time for Christmas. Rafael is doubting my ability to pull this off.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I would love to help with that. What do you have in mind?”
“What was the name of that traditional cake? The one you gave to Matias?” I asked Rafael. He was gliding the bar of soap across my back. His Greek god-like body was glistening between the bathwater and the sun streaming through the open blinds. The cedar and sage scented soap smelled so utterly masculine it was muddying my mind.
“Bolo Rei.” He abandoned the bar of soap so he could work the lather into my shoulders and chest with both hands.
“Bolo Rei,” I repeated. I bit my bottom lip while suppressing a moan. I had to force myself to continue. “We should take the children Bolo Rei, books, and every board game we can find. We’re going to have to hit a lot of stores in a short amount of time. I was wondering if you or Benjamim might have some friends who’d be interested in helping.” “Friends” was code for “knights.” Since Benjamim worked for the Templar, and the Templar ran a charity organization, I figured this would be right up their alley.
“Oh, I think our friends would be very interested in helping,” Eva agreed.
“We need help shopping and wrapping,” I murmured distractedly. I was trying to stay focused, but Rafael’s ministrations had me longing for more elicit activities.
With a low growl, Rafael grabbed the phone. He said something to Eva in Portuguese and disconnected the call.
