Rafaella stared at the exposed bulk of the man's body for a moment, standing a few feet from where she fell. She tried to control herself, and her thoughts became mischievous about how to get past the danger lurking in front of her.The intruder studied her momentarily, and then his eyes carefully stared at the spiral staircase."Don't ever try to make a wrong move, or you'll be dead instantly," that icy voice warned her.The man with mischievous eyes smirked as he looked at Rafaella lying on the cold floor. He was like mocking her with his eyes.Rafaella only needed to take one look at the man to realize she had no chance. She was in an awkward position lying on the ground with only her head lifted. She knew it would make moving back on her feet hard as the man guarded her movements.He was almost six feet tall and had muscular arms and a broad chest. She had no doubt he could shoot before she could even grab her weapon because the butt of a pistol was visible through the waistline o
"Wow! You looked fabulous, Gwen," Rafaella remarked excitedly when Gwen changed into an above-the-knee emerald green fitted dress with a pinch of spandex that had been selected for cocktail parties. It had a boat neckline, short, fitted mesh sleeves, and a tucked narrow waist.She could tell a hint of nervousness when Gwen laughed."I'm not sure what I look like now...""Cheer up, Gwen. You look fine, trust me. I'll tell you my secret," she said. "When I wear sexy clothes like what we are wearing now, I don't try to think about it when I'm not facing the mirror, so I don't feel conscious about what I wear. And I smile to cover my nervousness though the person interested in you will know how you feel.""Yes, I know. That's why boss Malcolm sent you for the sexy outfit undercover to chase those mafias, but it worked well with you. We easily caught those thugs.""Yes, but you have no idea how I shivered for our undercover missions together.""I like your guts, Rafa," Gwen commented. "I b
When Alexus and Giovanni shook hands and faced each other, Rafaella thought they had made a decent first impression. Between Gwen and her was Alexus, who was secretly smiling.The two exchanged a joking look as Giovanni said, "Gwen and I thought you two forgot we were here.""I'm sorry, but I can't trust having her away from me, especially after so many people have tried to take her life. This is the first time she's been gone for so long since she returned to me after a five- year of separation.""You seemed to have a rough life together but to get stronger," Giovanni remarked. "It's good you made it after that serious car accident."Silence reigned as Alexus glanced at his wife.When Alexus and Giovanni faced each other and shook hands, Rafaella thought they had made a decent first impression. Gwen and Rafaella exchanged a heartfelt grin. Then she turned to Giovanni as the two exchanged a joking look. Giovanni remarked, "Gwen and I thought you two had forgotten we were here." Ale
Colleen's eyes widened, and she growled in a high-pitched voice, "What are you two doing here? Even here, you're engaging in lewd behavior."Alexus mumbled, "I kiss my wife wherever and whenever, Colleen," with restrained rage but not in his frigid voice.Giovanni said, "Don't be such a bitch with my friends, Colleen. I invited them here.""Your friends?" She suspiciously stared at her ex-husband. "Since when Giovan?""Alexus has been my friend since we used to be neighbors."When Rafaella spotted two guards approaching, she grabbed her husband's waist.And he looked down at her before dropping a kiss on her temple."Are you all right?""Of course. I'm tough, remember?' She grinned.He chuckled and pulled her closer in a protective embrace."What's going on?" One of the guards inquired.Just then, they heard a police siren."I better check outside. It could be the sheriff. Go with Gwen to our table," Alexus whispered to her.She saw Gwen give a sympathetic look before wrapping her in
Before Alexus could get to her phone, Rafaella's fingers snatched it up. Her head hit the cushion as she turned, releasing a deep, heavy sigh."Babe... Let me talk to her," Alexus said when she pressed it.Rafaella hesitated momentarily before quietly handing her phone to her husband. And he dropped beside her."Hello," Alexus said complacently. He heard the woman gasp as she heard him."Oh. I was calling for--""My wife is already sleeping," he cut in. "Can I take a message for her?""You sounded relaxed, Alex, but you were there when they handcuffed me before I closed my eyes.""I'm not interested to hear what's happening with you, Colleen. If you have no message for my wife--""Wait," Colleen interrupted him. "I managed to escape with the help of some friends.""Is that what the message you want me--""Damn it, Alex. Stop that cold-blooded attitude with me.""Alright, I'm listening. What do you want to say?" Alexus's eyes met his wife's. His hand started to fiddle with her long bla
Rafaella and Gwen were momentarily taken aback, but Giovanni's emotions of even greater astonishment could be seen as he glanced at Alexus, who appeared unsure of what to do at the time. But according to good manners, he stepped closer to the older woman, politely reached for her hand, and gently shook it. Signorina Fontana smiled and seemed satisfied with his act. Alexus addressed the mother of Giovanni, who appeared to be grinning, saying, "My pleasure to have met you, Signora Fontana." Giovanni interrupted, perplexed by what he had just seen, "Wait, Mammina. Do you know Alexus?" Signorina Fontana gave her son's question some thought. "Si. I know this gentleman..." "I'm sorry, Signora, but I don't believe we've ever met. I will always remember if we have." "I am sorry to hear that you have forgotten me, Alessandro," said Mrs. Fontana. "How could I forget you? You look so much like your father. And your mother, Alessia, is my best friend. You're named after your mother."
Rafaella felt Alexus tighten his grip on her hand, but she didn't even bother to glance at him since her eyes were set on the person she wanted to see and hoped she would never see again. The man's gaze lingered on Alexus's face rather than hers, which surprised her because he didn't even seem surprised to see them both.Then his mouth broke into an amused laugh, "Alexus Latimer, what brought you to this part of the world?"Rafaella silently regarded him. She was optimistic that the old man had no malice toward her spouse."My blood has recently started to turn sluggish. Perhaps it needs some direction, Lombardi," Alexus replied. There was no politeness in their words or how they greeted each other."Uhm," Lombardi smirked, bobbing his head, his right brow lifted, and his eyes somewhat grinning. "I guess you're right and seem to be steering in the right direction.""I don't agree with what you said, Mr. Lombardi," Rafaella's stern face interrupted the conversation between the two. "Yo
Rafaella laughed loudly as she ran away from her husband towards the shore, but Alexus caught her, and they both fell into the water, laughing. But when Rafaella tried to get away from him, he just shook his head and watched her hit the ground with her arms dropped around her head. Alexus eyed the kids having fun quite a distance from them which made him miss their twins. And as he looked around, he realized he was spending a lazy afternoon at Sardinia's most exclusive resort. He was in the VIP section, adults-only, where there would be no children to watch the intimate moments with his wife. He loved children wildly when they shrieked, laughed, and splashed in the water. Alexus stayed in the water. Rafaella could see the muscles in his back and arms moving smoothly with each stroke, the fabric of his shorts billowing around his legs, his water-dark hair slick. She closed her eyes but could still see Alexus' body, l, the length, and strength of his limbs, the stream of bubbles com