Breaking the Limits: Rafe & Nicole Book 2 (7 page)

He was halfway through his second stiff whiskey. ‘We’re colour coordinated.’ He raised his glass in Nicole’s direction. ‘Is that one of Alessandra’s dresses?’

‘No, it’s mine.’

His gaze narrowed slightly. ‘They’re all yours.’

A small silence.

‘Tell me you understand,’ he said a moment later.

‘I like this dress. It’s comfortable.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘Don’t be difficult.’ The glint in her eyes matched his.

‘I don’t buy women presents as a rule. When I do, I sure as hell don’t want them refused.’

‘I didn’t say I refused them.’

Rafe raised one eyebrow and tilted his head. ‘So I can buy you some more?’

She gave him a dirty look. ‘Do we have time for this? I thought you were in a hurry.’

‘They can fucking wait all night,’ he growled. ‘Answer me. Is it a problem if I buy you more clothes.’

‘You didn’t actually buy them,’ she said, levelly.

‘Then I’ll go shopping myself next time. We’ll fly to Split tomorrow. That okay with you?’

‘Why are you doing this?’

‘Why are you?’ he demanded, staring at her.

‘Because I’m getting the impression this is about power, not gifts.’

‘It isn’t.’ He drained his drink, grabbed a bottle and splashed another few inches into the glass. ‘So what kind of gifts do you like?’

‘Jesus Christ,’ she muttered. ‘Look, I love what you gave me. Can we stop now?’

His nostrils flared and he set down his untouched drink. ‘I’ve never, ever,
ever
bought a gift for a woman before,’ he said, very softly. ‘So we can parse the meaning of buy, but that doesn’t nullify my impulse. I want to give you things. You make me happy. If that’s a major problem for you, too fucking bad.’

She smiled at his artlessness, but was warmed by his sincerity. ‘No, it’s all good.’

‘Okay, then, we’ll go shopping tomorrow.’

‘Fine.’

He rubbed one hand up the side of his jaw, stared at her. ‘In the morning. First thing.’

‘Whatever you say.’

He laughed. ‘Jesus, Tiger, now I’m worried. You okay?’

Chapter 6

‘Come here,’ Rafe said, holding out his hand and smiling. ‘You’re the only sweetness and joy in my life. Everything else is senseless tribal shit, including dinner tonight.’ Folding Nicole’s hand in his as she reached him, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. ‘Thanks for coming along.’

‘I’d miss you otherwise.’

His heart did a little stammer. She’d said it so simply. That he liked what she said was less simple. ‘Good. Beautiful.’ His voice was easy, contained – a natural defence after twenty-six years of locking away his feelings. ‘First, though, I need a few minutes with Carlos. Get my stories straight for Anton.’ Pulling his cell from his jacket pocket, he punched in a number with his thumb, waited for the answer, then said, ‘We’re coming down. We’ll meet you in the hall.’

‘You’re not involving her, are you?’ There was an edge to Carlos’ voice.

‘No.’ Rafe slid his phone back in his pocket, then gently squeezed Nicole’s hand. ‘Ignore Anton if he’s a prick. He has no say in my personal life. Be nice to my mother, although she’s easy to like. Try to listen politely to Titus’ non-stop chatter. He’s six. What can I say? That’s about it.’

‘So is this a for real . . . ’ She held up her hand with the ring Rafe had given her and grinned. ‘Like . . . meeting the parents?’

‘Oh shit,’ he said, remembering.

‘Hey, just teasing. Really.’ She lifted her chin a tiny fraction, looked at him calmly. ‘Want me to take it off? You can have it back.’

‘I know.’ Mentally checking off several true but unfixable answers, he chose a middle ground reply. ‘I just don’t want a lot of questions right now.’ He paused, struck by the sheer number of lies he was obliged to deliver tonight; about corruption, criminal activity, assassination squads – the reasons he was on the island. That he was quietly happy even in the midst of such ugliness made him change his mind. ‘Look, leave the ring on. Tell them whatever you want. We’re engaged, if you like.’

In a normal life she would have answered differently. She would have had a clear idea of what she wanted, whether she loved Rafe or, if she was honest with herself, how much she loved him. Whether he was capable of loving anyone. ‘If your parents ask, I’ll just say it was a gift and leave it at that.’

He should have been more pleased that she was being sensible. He was disappointed instead – or irritated; he didn’t know which. ‘It’s probably for the best.’ He smiled. ‘Saves trouble.’ Rafe looked at the door, then back to Nicole. ‘Ready?’

Rafe led the way down the narrow stairs, holding Nicole’s hand in case she stumbled on the worn stone in her strappy heels. When they reached the entrance hall, he waved at Carlos who was striding toward them. ‘Sit for a minute.’ Rafe drew Nicole to a chair near the courtyard door. ‘I won’t be long.’

Rafe walked away with a long, easy, balanced lope like a rider or surfer, Nicole thought; she’d have to ask him if he owned horses. He was clearly comfortable in his own skin, tall and rangy, sleek with muscle, his navy linen suit cut to perfection by the best Italian or Savile Row tailor. He was beautiful from any angle, bone deep and indelible. She felt like some groupie lusting after some sports star or rocker. She couldn’t help it; he was that splendid. And, of course, the sex was so extraordinary she knew she’d never even come close to finding a replacement. Priceless, once-in-a-lifetime memories. And, with Rafe’s security ramping up big time, as temporary as snowflakes in summer

Nicole grimaced. How many times in the past had she been the one walking away? Being polite, smiling, offering the usual excuse:
It’s not you, it’s me
. Never finding
the one
, never having that
OhmyGod
moment about some guy that all her friends had. Not really believing her mom when she’d say,
Don’t worry, you’ll find him someday.
Now that it looked as though that someday might have arrived, it had come with a firm expiration date. Although she’d known from the beginning that Rafe wasn’t a hearts and flowers kind of guy, still . . . it just went to show you . . . life could be a bitch.

She had to give Fiona, her BFF, a call to whine about the vast injustices of the world and the sad reality of ‘too little, too late’. Fiona was always non-judgmental, a good listener and, right now, she needed an objective sounding board for all her new, strange, happy, sad, baffling, convoluted feelings about Rafe. If there had been time, she would have called Fiona now – as in instant phone therapy. Tomorrow, right after Rafe returned to his crisis-management agenda, she’d call her.

In the meantime, Nicole surveyed the grandeur of the large hall, taking in the colourful ceiling, the high stone walls and clerestory windows, the fireplace big enough to roast an ox, the forty-foot table holding centre stage, the huge carpet woven to fit the shape of the room.

When Rafe had said,
burning through money
,
he wasn’t kidding.

With their dinner engagement pressing, Rafe was issuing instructions to Carlos in a brisk staccato. ‘Text me when Gina gets to Brisbane. Same with Zou’s Swiss bank accounts and wire transfers when they’re found. The names of the bank directors. Zou’s location, should we get that lucky. And if Dominic Knight contacts Leo, I want to know.’

‘So far, progress but nothing definitive on all of the above. You’ll be down in the morning, right? Don’t look at me like that.’ Carlos stared right back. ‘This is the craziest thing you’ve ever done and I’ve seen a helluva a lot of your crazy. Fuck her
after
this is over. If you still want to. If
she
still wants to.’

‘If
she
wants to?’ Rafe scowled. ‘What the hell does that mean?’

‘Gora sent over his vetting report on Miss Parrish. Unlike mine, his goes way back. Let’s just say, she’s had an impressive number of boyfriends.’

‘Jesus, are you the purity patrol?’

‘Hardly.’

‘Then shut the fuck up.’

‘We’re working round the clock,’ Carlos said, ignoring Rafe’s scowl. ‘So whenever you come down in the morning, we’ll be there.’

‘Am I supposed to feel guilty?’

‘Goddamn right.’

Rafe shut his eyes, exhaled, then slowly opened his eyes. ‘I might be down later tonight.’ He nodded, his voice dropped in volume. ‘And thank you.’

Carlos sighed. ‘Look, I know this isn’t necessarily your fight, but you made it your fight. So
—
’

‘Let’s win it.’

‘Yeah. And Gora’s mad as hell. Old battles, I think, with him, but prepare yourself for a fun evening.’

Rafe nodded. ‘I already got that message when he called. All he did was bitch about Nicole. As if I give a shit about his history with Dominic Knight. But apparently my mother is worried. I have no idea why, unless he was stupid enough to bring her into the loop.’

‘I doubt it.’

‘Me too. He protects her from a bad weather report, for Christ’s sake. I’m glad he cares that much, but I don’t need his bullshit right now. I’ve got enough going on.’

‘Stop fucking your brains out, you’ll have more time.’

Rafe laughed. ‘Remind me to give you the same advice when you’re hot for some woman.’

‘Not gonna happen.’

‘That’s what
I
thought,’ Rafe said with a grin. ‘Just sayin’.’

Carlos watched while Rafe moved across the large room, stopped before Nicole, put his hands out, pulled her to her feet, and bent to give her a kiss. Carlos felt his stomach tighten the same way it would if he received an email in his private, anonymous, encrypted email account from someone he didn’t know.

Fuck – as if they didn’t have enough trouble already.

Chapter 7

A launch was waiting for them quayside. Gora’s yacht was anchored a half mile out in the bay, long and sleek, low to the water. Built for speed.

As they approached the
Flora
,
they could see Gora, Camelia and Titus waiting for them on the deck off the main salon. Titus was standing on the first rung of the railing, waving and shouting Rafe’s name.

‘Now, be polite to the girl,’ Camelia quietly warned Gora as they briefly lost sight of their guests when the launch docked at the stern. ‘Rafail has never brought anyone on holiday with him. I mean, any particular young woman.’ Camelia wasn’t naïve about her son’s notoriety. Not with the tabloids’ thirst for scandal.

‘This one’s like her uncle,’ Gora said, gruffly. ‘Selfish.’

‘You don’t know that. And surely,’ Camelia added with a lift of her brow. ‘You owe a debt of gratitude to Dominic Knight.’

‘It was business,’ Gora said, briefly.

‘It was a problem of your own making.’

He looked at her sideways, their backstory hanging in the air between them. ‘One I wouldn’t have had,’ he said, very quietly, ‘if you’d told me I had a son.’

‘I wanted to, a thousand times or more.’ Camelia sighed. ‘I just couldn’t see a way out. You know that.’

They’d discussed and debated the subject countless times: Maso’s tyranny and instability; the constant danger to Rafe; Gora’s wretched marriage; the fact that his daughters likely weren’t his. Gora’s failure, one day in Venice, to refuse the invitation when Bianca had
accidentally
stumbled into his arms at the Hotel Cipriani. He’d recognized the fraud from the first, but his dream for happiness had died years ago, and he’d begun wishing for a son like some knight errant seeking the Holy Grail. A crucial factor in his decision. Not an excuse but a reason.

Gora touched Camelia’s hand, twined his fingers through hers. ‘It’s over now,’ he said, very softly. ‘We have two sons and I love you more than life itself. I always have. I will until the end of my days.’ His smile warmed his eyes and, for a moment, lightened the burden of his years. ‘And I’ll be polite to Rafail’s friend. I promise.’

Barefoot, Titus was racing toward the lower deck staircase, and the moment Rafe crested the rise, the youngster took a flying leap at his brother. With impeccable reflexes, Rafe caught his little brother mid-vault, shifted him to one arm, and turned back to Nicole as Titus immediately launched into a description of his new video game in French. Grabbing Nicole’s hand, Rafe drew her up the last few steps. ‘Titus, say hello to Nicole – in English,’ he instructed. ‘Nicole, my brother. And my parents,’ he added, with a nod to his mother and step-father. ‘Nicole, Anton and Camelia. Nicole’s on holiday with me,’ he added, holding his step-father’s gaze for a moment. ‘I couldn’t be happier.’ A blunt warning, no matter the mildness of his tone.

With a smile for her son, Rafe’s mother stepped forward. ‘How lovely to meet you,’ she said, taking Nicole’s hand.

Gora dipped his head in a small courtly gesture. ‘Our pleasure,’ he said, his smile well mannered. ‘Welcome aboard.’

‘Rafe has to see my new game right now, now, now!’ Titus shouted, pounding Rafe’s shoulder with his fist, patience non-existent at his age. ‘I can beat you for sure this time!’

Rafe grinned. ‘What do you mean, this time? You beat me every time. But we’re going to have a drink first.’ Rafe winked at his young step-brother. ‘You can show me how the game works while we visit.’ Carrying Titus, drawing Nicole along with his other hand, he moved toward the main salon as he spoke, interested in speeding the evening along. This was an obligatory visit and he didn’t intend to stay any longer than necessary. Especially since he was planning on joining Carlos and Ganz in the war room once Nicole fell asleep.

Rafe placed Titus on his feet in front of the large flat screen. ‘Set up the game, then explain the rules to me.’ Leading Nicole to a small salmon-coloured sofa, he took a seat beside her. ‘A quick game and a drink. You okay with that?’

His parents exchanged a glance at Rafe’s behavior. He wasn’t solicitous by nature, or at least not
that
solicitous, particularly to women. ‘You know what Rafail wants, Andrei,’ Camelia said to the short, elderly man wearing a white shirt with short sleeves and grey slacks. ‘What would you like to drink, Nicole?’ Moving a few steps, she joined her husband on another sofa, one of several in the large salon.

‘Whatever Rafe is having is fine,’ Nicole said, smiling at Rafe’s mother across the coffee table separating the matching sofas.

The retainer dipped his head in Nicole’s direction and spoke in heavily accented English. ‘Macallan 32, no ice?’

‘Ice for me, please. Just a little.’

‘Yes, miss. The usual?’ he enquired with a meticulous bow for his employers.

Rafe snorted. ‘Jesus, Andrei, cut out the servile crap. Nicole doesn’t care if you have manners, do you, Tiger?’

Nicole shook her head and smiled at the stout man with a fuzz of white hair around his bald head like a monk’s tonsure, pink cheeks, a ready smile and a weight-lifter’s body despite his age.

‘Andrei is my mum’s cousin three or four times removed, and he’s been telling us what to do as long as I can remember. Are we having steak for dinner?’

‘Of course, it’s your favourite. Strawberry trifle too. Cook insisted.’

Rafe grinned. ‘Your wife, you mean.’ He turned to Nicole. ‘Elena’s in charge of the kitchen. No one dares get in her way. Not that I’m complaining when she cooks what I like.’

‘Mrs B. runs my mom’s house. I know all about doing what you’re told, believe me.’

Rafe went very still for a moment, opened his mouth, then closed it.

‘Good idea,’ Nicole whispered.

He winked at her. ‘Private joke,’ he said blandly to his parents. ‘Nicole has a real sense of humour.’

Gora’s mouth set in a grim line at the small intimacy. Camelia noticed too, smiled at her son’s unusual show of affection; the young lady had made an impression on him. She’d have to find out Nicole’s secret beyond her obvious beauty. ‘How nice,’ she said. ‘Did you hear that, Anton?’ She patted her husband’s hand. ‘You must smile more.’

‘Yes, dear.’ His mouth relaxed and he captured her hand in his. ‘Your mother is trying to teach an old dog new tricks,’ he said, amusement in his voice.

She glanced up at him, fondness in her gaze. ‘I’m making progress.’

Gora rested against the sofa back, his tall, thin frame unique in its easy power, battle-hardened. His mouth twitched into a small smile. ‘I’m enjoying the schooling.’

Camelia laughed. ‘Enough silliness. Now tell Rafail and Nicole about your new sailboat. I’ve lost Anton to the boatyard,’ she added, lightly. ‘He’s there more than he’s home.’

Rafe knew better. Gora was rarely far from his mother’s side, having embraced the maxim
making up for lost time
with a zealot’s fervour. Taking his and Nicole’s drink from Andrei with a nod of thanks, Rafe turned back, handed Nicole her drink, then asked, ‘Who’s building your boat? Luca?’

Gora nodded, accepted a shot glass from Andrei. The ten-year-old pearlescent-yellow plum liquor from Romania, Tuica Batrana, was his drink of choice. ‘Forty-eight metre, all aluminum, single mast.’

‘With a library for Mum?’

Gora smiled. ‘It was the first thing I specified.’

‘With big windows for me too,’ Camelia added, taking a glass of champagne from Andrei. ‘We’ll have room for eight guests, so you and Nicole should join us when the ship is finished.’

‘Good idea,’ Rafe said smoothly. ‘When?’

‘Next spring.’ Gora’s smile wasn’t really a smile. ‘If your schedule allows, of course.’ He lifted his shot glass in salute. ‘To family.’ After waiting for everyone to raise their glass, he tossed back the plum liquor, balanced the shot glass in his palm for a moment, then added, ‘We sail April 1st.’

‘Why don’t I pencil it in?’ Rafe turned to Nicole. ‘Think you can get away, Tiger?’

Rafe was playing his step-father for whatever reason or, more likely, appeasing his mother. ‘I probably could,’ Nicole said, going along with it, her voice pleasant. ‘My school schedule is flexible.’

‘There, that’s settled, then. Hand me one of those controllers, Titus.’ Rafe deliberately changed the subject to something more innocuous. ‘Let’s see if I can beat you. Give me a quick run-down first.’ Draining his drink in one swallow, he set down the glass.

Titus’s explanation turned out to be a six-year-old’s rambling, uninterrupted exercise of detail over substance. Another only child like Rafe, Nicole decided – with two doting parents this time, not just one. A little prince. He was still in his swimming trunks, his only concession to company a cartoon T-shirt. So not entirely sure whether Titus dictated the game players as well, Nicole gently elbowed Rafe and lifted her brows.

He smiled. ‘You want to play too?’

‘If Titus doesn’t mind.’

‘Sure, I have plenty of controllers. Lemme find another one,’ Titus replied, rummaging through a shelf of electronic gadgets and tangled wires.

‘I have a sister who’s just a few years older than you,’ Nicole said. ‘She lives for video games. This is a war game, right?’

‘Course.’ Titus’s voice came from inside the shelf, the carpet littered with discarded game pieces. ‘Here’s a good one,’ he said, turning with a controller in his hand, picking up another one from the floor. ‘Which one you want?’

Rafe pointed at a third controller. ‘That one for Nicole.’

When the boy hesitated, Rafe said, ‘Be nice. Give her your good one.’

‘Really, any of them is fine.’ Nicole had had considerable experience with young children’s reluctant generosity. ‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Come on,’ Rafe insisted, staring at his little brother. ‘Nicole’s company.’

Titus ran his fingers over the controller as if it were a favourite pet then, with a sigh, looked up from under his dark, floppy hair, leaned forward and dropped it into Rafe’s outstretched palm. ‘Your good deed might be worth a prize,’ Rafe said with a grin. ‘On that website you showed me.’

Titus’s gaze snapped up and his eyes widened. ‘You mean the robot?’

‘Yup. I’ll order it when I get back on the island.’

‘Tonight?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘What do you say to your brother, Titus?’ Camelia prompted.

‘Wow! Thanks, Rafe. Thanks a million!’

‘You got it. Now, let’s see if Nicole’s any good at gaming. Girls never are,’ Rafe said with a playful wink at Nicole.

‘Not true, dude.’ She winked back. ‘You’re gonna get smoked.’

Rafe leaned in, kissed her cheek and murmured, ‘As long as Titus wins.’

She arched one brow. ‘I told you I have five brothers and sisters, didn’t I? And I’m the oldest?’

‘Ah, yes. My mistake.’ Then his voice dropped low. ‘So you’re going to let me win?’

‘Hey, Titus,’ Nicole said, with a flashing smile. ‘How long do you think it’ll take us to beat your brother?’

Rafe was laughing as he dropped down onto the floor. ‘You’re on, Tiger.’ He patted a spot beside him and grinned. ‘Let’s find out who’s good and who’s better.’

It was a thing of beauty to see – Rafe and Nicole’s fine-tuned expertise, their competitive drive, their sharp, skilful moves and deft, flying thumbs that continually allowed Titus just the slightest advantage. It wasn’t obvious they were letting him win, so the young boy experienced a genuine thrill of accomplishment.

The older adults watched with interest as Rafe engaged with Nicole for second place behind Titus’s winning score. It was strictly a numbers game; the player who annihilated the most opponents won, the next highest score came in second, then third to the one with the least number of hits. The fact that both Rafe and Nicole could respond to Titus’s moves and to each other simultaneously was an astonishing display of fast-twitch muscles. As adoring parents to a video gaming child, Camelia and Gora understood the level of skill necessary for such a feat.

Titus was good.

Rafe was a prodigy.

Nicole kept pace with ease.

‘Is she winning or is Rafail letting her win?’ Camelia whispered.

Gora leaned in close. ‘Hard to tell. She’s good.’

‘Rafail’s enjoying the competition.’ Camelia looked up when Gora didn’t answer. ‘What?’

‘You might be right,’ Gora said, feeling a jolt of unease, wondering whether to interfere. He had old-fashioned ideas about women; he’d also had a lifetime of imposing his will on others.

When the game ended a few minutes later, Titus was squealing in triumph.

Nicole handed her controller to Rafe. ‘You let us both win,’ she murmured. ‘My troops were dead meat and you didn’t attack. You punted.’

His smile was choir boy innocent, his voice low like hers. ‘I disagree.’

‘Nevertheless, you’ll receive a reward for your compassion.’ She winked. ‘Later.’

He laughed softly. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’

‘Ewww . . . are you gonna kiss her?’ Titus said with childish disgust.

‘Not in a gazillion years,’ Rafe said with a grin. ‘Kissing is gross and, even if it wasn’t, I don’t have time. I’m hungry.’ He glanced at his mother. ‘Will Elena take offence if we sit down now?’

‘Sweetheart, as far as Elena’s concerned, you can do no wrong.’ She came to her feet. ‘Andrei, will you tell Elena we’re ready?’

As they reached the table, Titus insisted on sitting beside Rafe. ‘Sure. We’ll just move a few plates,’ Rafe said.

Nicole surveyed the place settings, two side by side, one across the table, one at either end. ‘Don’t bother. I can sit anywhere.’

‘As long as it’s beside me,’ Rafe said, calmly, beginning to make room for another plate on one side of the table.

A few minutes later, with the staff helping, the table was reset and Rafe was sitting between Titus and Nicole. ‘Perfect.’ Smiling at his brother, he reached for Nicole’s hand. ‘Now, when does your school start again?’ Titus began answering in French, Rafe reminded him to speak English, then listened patiently to a protracted, at times fretful, discourse about all the fun Titus would have if he could go away to school like his friends, but Papa wouldn’t allow it.