Chapter 40: The Cost of Betrayal

Sophia paced the edge of the balcony, her silk robe fluttering in the salty breeze. Morning had just broken over the ocean, the sun creeping over the horizon with a deceptive calm that contradicted the chaos brewing inside her.

Last night hadn’t just been sex. It hadn’t even been love. It had been a collision of pain and obsession, of secrets and need. Rafael had branded her with his mouth, his hands, his hunger—and now, she wasn’t sure what was hers anymore and what belonged to him.

She had slept with the enemy. And worst of all… she had *wanted* to.

“Still thinking about me?”

His voice rolled in like thunder, lazy and lethal, and she turned to see Rafael leaning against the doorframe. Shirtless. Hair tousled. Eyes locked on her like a predator preparing to pounce.

Sophia folded her arms. “You didn’t give me much choice.”

Rafael walked toward her with the slow, confident grace of a man who owned everything he touched. Including her.

“You had every choice,” he murmured, reaching for her. “And you *chose* me.”

Sophia flinched away. “Don’t twist it. Last night didn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.”

“I don’t need forgiveness,” he said simply. “Only loyalty.”

She looked up at him, her heart racing. “And what happens if I don’t give it?”

His hand cupped her chin, thumb brushing over her bottom lip. “Then I take it.”

The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged.

“I want to see him,” she said finally. “My father. I want to hear the truth from him.”

Rafael’s jaw flexed. “He’s not going to confess. He’ll lie, like he always has.”

“Then let *me* decide what to believe.”

He studied her for a long moment, then gave a curt nod. “Fine. But we do it my way. My terms.”

Sophia’s stomach twisted. She’d just agreed to walk into the lion’s den—willingly.

**

Later that evening, they arrived at a safehouse deep in the countryside. The security was tight—armed guards, encrypted gates, motion detectors. It was one of Rafael’s many secrets, and the fact that he’d brought her here told her everything she needed to know.

Sophia’s father was inside.

She entered the room, her heart pounding as she saw him—weak, bruised, but very much alive. His eyes lit up the moment they landed on her.

“Sophia!”

“Dad,” she whispered, rushing to him.

They embraced tightly, and for a moment, she felt like a child again, safe in his arms. But then she remembered Rafael’s words, the accusations that still echoed in her head.

“I thought you were dead,” she choked.

“I almost was,” he rasped. “Your boyfriend here made sure of that.”

Sophia stepped back, eyes narrowing. “You were working with the Delgado Cartel. Were you?”

Her father stiffened. “Where did you hear that?”

“So it’s true?” Her voice rose. “And did you… did you have Rafael’s sister killed?”

His expression changed—just for a split second—but it was enough.

“Sweetheart, no,” he said quickly. “That’s what *he* told you, isn’t it? He’s manipulating you, Sophia. He’s dangerous—”

“Then tell me the truth!” she shouted. “Swear to me you didn’t betray them. Swear to me you didn’t order her death.”

“I did what I had to do,” he snapped, the mask slipping. “Everything I did was to protect you. Our family. They were animals, Sophia. Your mother and I were trying to get out, and they wouldn’t let us. She died because of them.”

Sophia’s heart shattered.

“Mom died in a car crash.”

“No. That’s what they wanted us to believe. Rafael’s father had her killed.”

Behind her, Rafael remained silent, eyes cold and unreadable.

Sophia turned to him. “Is that true?”

His face didn’t change. “I don’t know. Maybe. My father had enemies everywhere. But I never wanted this cycle to continue.”

“You did this to her!” her father barked, pointing at Rafael. “He’s made you a prisoner. A whore.”

Rafael moved faster than lightning. In a blink, he had Sophia’s father by the throat, slammed against the wall.

“I’ve kept you alive for *her*,” Rafael growled, voice low and deadly. “But if you ever call her that again, I will rip your tongue out and feed it to you.”

Sophia’s breath hitched, her chest heaving.

“Stop,” she whispered.

Rafael released him.

Her father collapsed, coughing violently.

Sophia looked at Rafael, her voice hollow. “Take me back.”

**

That night, Sophia sat in Rafael’s study, staring at a glass of wine she hadn’t touched.

He watched her from across the room, silent.

“I believed everything he ever told me,” she said quietly. “My whole life was built on his lies.”

“You still want to save him?” Rafael asked.

Sophia shook her head. “I want him to pay.”

Their eyes locked, something dangerous sparking between them.

Rafael approached slowly, kneeling in front of her. “Then help me. Join me.”

Sophia stared down at him, her fingers trembling as they threaded through his hair.

“I don’t know who I am anymore,” she whispered.

“You’re *mine*,” Rafael murmured, his mouth brushing against her thigh. “And with me, you can become anything you want to be.”

He kissed her skin, moving higher, coaxing a gasp from her lips.

“I want to burn the world down for you, Sophia. Let me.”

And this time, when she pulled him to her, it wasn’t out of fear.

It was choice.

It was power.

It was vengeance.

Together.

—