Page 35 of Explode
Riley
Thefour-posterbedinone of the many guest rooms at the Bianchimansion was quite possibly the most comfortable bed I had ever slept on.
Well, not slept. Lay awake fretting would be a more accuratedescription because, of course, I couldn’t sleep.
I couldn’t get my asshole of a husband out of my head, like mostnights that had passed. Only now, the reason was entirely different.
I’d been on emotional roller coaster rides before, courtesy of Kai, butthis was the worst of them. It was like I was ridingSpace Mountainin the dark, backward, without any safety restraints, and it was never-ending.
I wanted to kill him.
I wanted to kiss him.
I never wanted to see him again.
I never wanted to let him go again.
It was fucking ridiculous.
Rolling over for the gazillionth time, the urge to jump out of bed, runto the middle of a field, and scream in frustration from the top of my lungs was all-consuming.
Fortunately, a knock on the door prevented me from doing exactlythat. Figuring it was either the maid who came by last night to deliver some new pajamas or Rafe coming to see me, I pulled the covers around me and called for them to come in.
After sneaking out of Mrs. Henderson’s the day before, somehowwithout being seen, Rafe had been waiting in his car, and whisked me out of Hollows Bay, back across the border to Forest Point.
I was in too much of a state to not tell him the truth, and so I blurtedeverything, only for him to tell me he already knew.
Turns out not only had Miles discussed his marriage to Sofia withGeorgio, but had also filled him in on his sneaky little secret.
The asshole.
My mind had flashed back to the meeting we held with the guys in thewar room when Jack had said to Miles about telling Georgio everything. The pointed look they shared across the table held a whole different meaning now.
As soon as Miles and I had left, Georgio filled Rafe in on everything.As heir to the Bianchi line, the fact Kai was alive would impact on his future running Forest Point. Rafe joked that he was disappointed because he was certain at some point, he’d convince me I should forget all about my dearly departed husband and marry him. I promptly told Rafe I was swearing off men for the rest of my life, and that included my not-so-dearly departed husband.
Rafe offered for me to stay at the Bianchi mansion for a few daysuntil I got my head straight and my stupid heart sorted. I’d been reluctant, wanting to get as far away as possible from Hollows Bay and the traitorous assholes in my life, but the truth was, I had nowhere else to go.
Sure, I had access to money,Kai’s money, which would no doubt betracked by Miles. The only place I would head to was Spain where Angel was living her best life, but I knew damn well it would be less than a few hours before Kai turned up. Even if I figured out a way to get to Spain without being caught, what then?
Given only a handful of people knew that the Wolfes and the Bianchishad made the alliance, I figured I would be safe with the Bianchis until I came up with a plan. Rafe promised he wouldn’t tell Kai or Miles I was there. Gratefully, I agreed to stay for a few days to give me a chance to sort my life out.
At this rate, I’d probably need more than a few days to sort the messout that had now become my life.
Aside from Rafe, I hadn’t seen any of the other Bianchis. Georgioand Antonio were out doing whatever Mafia bosses did, and Sofia was out with friends. Rafe and I spent the rest of the day, into the evening talking, and the more I got to know him, the more I grew to like him.
First impressions weren’t always accurate.
Rafe was funny and kind, and like me, family meant everything tohim. He was easy to talk to, and over a bottle of wine, I couldn’t help but tell him everything that had happened to lead me to sitting in his grand lounge. It could have been a mistake telling him everything I knew about Max and Hendrix, but something about Rafe told me I could trust him.
When night fell, and my eyes grew heavy, Rafe showed me to theguest room and said he’d arranged for the maid to bring me some clothes. She appeared shortly after we said goodnight to deliver me some new pajamas, telling me more clothes would be arriving in the morning.
So I’ll admit I was surprised when Sofia opened the door and steppedin with a pile of clothes in her hands, and a heavy scowl on her face.
“Rafe said you needed some clothes,” she said cooly, placing theclothes down on a table. “I hope they fit, I figured you were about the same size as me.”
“Oh. Thanks,” I said, not meeting her eye. I felt terrible for the poorgirl, it was kinda my fault she’d been forced into an arranged marriage.
“Right, well. I’ll leave you to it,” she said, turning and heading back tothe door.
