Page 22 of Raphael
I do some more subtle digging on private networks, determined to unearth whatever connections may link Uphir back to the club and missing ledgers.
At last, my efforts yield results—after rerouting through multiple exchanges across Europe, I uncover his direct personal phone line. My pulse spikes, palms sweating. This private number would not be easy to obtain. What kind of adversary am I facing?
Heart pounding, I hover over the receiver, his digits already half-dialed. Wrestling hesitation, I finally replace it in the cradle, leaning back with a shaky exhale.
The line rings several times before clicking over to a generic voicemail box. I clear my throat, willing my voice steady. “Hello, Mr. Uphir. My name is Helena Morningstar. I’m currently assisting my uncle with some financial reviews. I was hoping we could schedule a meeting to discuss some questions I have. Please let me know when you have availability this week.”
I leave my number and hang up, leaning back in my chair with a shaky exhale. There, first step done. Hopefully, he will be intrigued enough by my message to call back. Now I just need to figure out my strategy for subtly getting information without revealing the extent of my suspicions about those missing ledgers.
“Dominique Uphir—I’m coming for you,” I mumble under my breath, mind racing. I have to nail down exactly what to ask when he contacts me in return...
My plotting is interrupted suddenly by my cell phone chiming loudly in my bag. My pulse instantly leaps—what if it’shimalready?
“Fuck!” I gasp, fumbling for the device. Then I suck in a sharp breath at the name lighting up the screen:Raphael.
With suddenly sweat-slick palms, I open the message. “See you tonight? My place? Around 8?”
Joy and desire burst through me in a dizzying rush. I have to read his words three times over before their meaning fully registers through the delirious haze clouding my brain.
My fingers tremble, and I nearly drop the phone in my eagerness to reply. “Yes!” I type back quickly, followed by, “Can’t wait. Xx”
Only after hitting send do second thoughts creep in.Don’t appear over-eager, Helena.I shouldn’t have added the kisses. Fuck. Will he think me desperate if I agree to meet so readily? Oh, damn propriety—it’s only sex! There’s no need to play coy.
I’m struggling over whether to send another message downplaying my enthusiasm when another alert pops up. It’s from Eve this time, asking me to come to the bar right away.
With a twinge of guilt, I shove away thoughts of Raphael. Back to business for now. Squaring my shoulders, I stride from the office and make my way through the empty club towards the bar.
Eve stands behind the gleaming counter, stacking glasses. She glances up as I approach and grimaces. “Sorry to pull you away, but you’ve got an odd message from your Draven.”
My steps falter. “Draven called?” Anxiety twists my gut.
Eve nods, holding out a piece of the club’s monogrammed notepaper. “He was in a hurry. Said he’ll be traveling for the next couple of weeks and gave me a list of instructions for you to follow in case you need to reach him.”
I take the paper with numb fingers, staring sightlessly at Eve’s angular scrawl. A strange mix of relief and guilt floods me. Relief at having his watchful eye off me for a while longer, and guilt that I welcomed the news so readily.
“Did he... seem upset at all?” I ask Eve carefully. My evasive behavior of late is surely raising Draven’s suspicions.
But she simply shrugs, resuming stacking cups. “Frankly, he sounded relieved to be going off the grid. You know how he gets in hismoods.”
I nod slowly, shoulders loosening. It’s true Draven has always been solitary and secretive by nature—people in his line of work usually are. I shouldn’t assume his distance is aimed at me personally.
With the note crushed in my fist, I thank Eve for passing along the message and hurry back to my office, emotions churning. Slumping into my chair, I smooth out the wrinkled paper and read over his brisk words again. Then, before I can think better of it, I take out my lighter and set the corner aflame.
I watch stonily as blackened flakes drift down into the waste bin, the fire eating away Draven’s message line by line. When only ashy scraps remain, I drop what’s left and stamp out the last embers under my heel.
Breathing deeply through my nose, I straighten and lift my chin. No more living in fear of Draven’s reach. For now, an open road lies before me, and I fully intend to take it, propriety be damned.
The exhilaration simmering in my blood isn’t only from defiance. It’s the knowledge that tonight I’ll be back in Raphael’s arms, his glorious bare bronzed skin against mine. The mere thought makes my cheeks burn and sends liquid heat pooling low in my core.
Just then, my cell phone chimes again from my bag. My lips curve into a feline grin. No need to play coy anymore—what I desire is at last within my grasp.
CHAPTER14
Raphael
I stridethrough the hospital’s bustling lobby, unable to keep a grin off my face. Colleagues and patients alike have remarked all day on my unusually cheerful demeanor. If only they knew the real reason behind my mood change. Ever since connecting with Helena, it’s like I’m walking on air.
Pushing through the sliding exit doors, I suck in a deep breath, savoring the freedom of another day survived. Now for therealreward—I just texted Helena on impulse, inviting her over tonight. Probably too eager, asking to meet two nights in a row. But her swift, enthusiastic confirmation banished any worries of seeming clingy.
