Broken Together (52 page)

Father
Ramires made the sign of the cross over the rings. “May the Lord bless these
rings, which are offered as a token of your love and fidelity.” He handed
Rafael my wedding band.

Rafael
placed the ring on my finger. “I offer this ring as a sign of my love and
faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Father
Ramires handed me Rafael’s wedding band.

I
slid it over Rafael’s finger. “I offer this ring as a sign of my love and
faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Chief
D’Souza handed Father Ramires a black velvet bag. I hadn’t a clue what the bag
contained or why it was being included in the ceremony.

Father
Ramires made the sign of the cross over the bag. “May the Lord bless these
coins, which symbolize Rafael’s desire to share all that he has with his
beloved.” He handed Rafael the bag.

Rafael
placed the soft velvet bag in the palm of my hand. “On the day that my parents
were married, my father offered these coins to my mother while he vowed to
share everything he had with her. I offer you these same coins while I repeat
that promise. My love, I offer you every possession I have, and I promise to
provide and care for you always.”

My
throat clogged with tears. “Thank you,” I finally whispered.

“Please
kneel,” Father Ramires encouraged.

I
passed the coins to Lexie.

Rafael
clasped my hand as we kneeled. Father Ramires offered the Eucharistic prayer.
We sang “Holy, holy, holy,” before joining him in the Lord’s Prayer. Tears crept
through my lashes when he prayed over us. Warmth flooded me as Rafael and I
shared our first communion together. God cemented his place in our relationship
as we accepted the body and blood of Christ.

Father
Ramires offered one final blessing while he made the sign of the cross. “May
the Lord bless your marriage with good health, happiness, and love. May he
surround you with family and friends who will share your joys and support you
through the trials to come. May he fill your home with children, with family,
and friends. May he strengthen your faith in him and your commitment to one
another. May he guide you on the paths of righteousness and protect you as you
serve others. May he strengthen you, comfort you, and bring you peace.”

“Amen,”
we replied.

Father
Ramires helped me from the kneeler before turning us around. “I present to you…
Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Garcia!”

Cheers
erupted when Rafael swept me into his arms. He grinned as he held me suspended
a few inches above him. Slowly, he allowed me to slide down his chest until our
lips met. My arms locked around his neck as he lowered me to his chest.

Rafael’s
lips slanted over mine. His tongue sought mine in a provocative kiss that felt
far more carnal than it should have. Desire sparked across every nerve ending,
but the baby chose that precise moment to deliver a hefty kick.

Rafael’s
eyes widened as he broke the kiss. “Was that…”

I
laughed. “Undeniably, yes.”

His
eyes lit with joy as he swung me around again.

Our
friends and family clapped while he clasped my hand and led me down the aisle.

Father
Ramires encouraged our guests to walk down to the pond so they could enjoy
pastries and drinks while we took pictures with the wedding party.

Rafael
had other plans. Instead of taking the trail that circled back toward the
palace, he swept my legs out from under me and carried me down a different
trail. Benjamim and Lexie must have diverted everyone else toward the palace
because no one followed us.

Rafael
stumbled inside an abandoned stable. Grudgingly, he released me. “I want to
feel the baby again.”

I
tried not to laugh. “Your child kicks when he wants to, not when you command
it.”

He
dropped to his knees. His hands splayed over my stomach. “Please kick.”

I
held my breath while we waited for the baby to respond.

He
didn’t.

Rafael
eyed my sandals as he lifted my dress. “God, I love those shoes… and this dress
was nearly the death of me. I had to recite soccer plays while you walked down
the aisle, and when I felt those pearls against your back…” A low growl
percolated in his chest.

I
stood spellbound while he lifted the dress.

He
nuzzled my tummy.

My
hands fisted in his hair. I leaned back against the wall. My nipples hardened
as my body responded to his heated breath. “Rafael.”

His
eyes darkened as he gazed up at me.

My
eyes slid closed. “I need…”

“Here?”
His fingers clenched my thong as he awaited my response.

“Here,”
I pleaded. “Now.”

His
tongue teased my core while the thong fell to the floor. Over and over he
stroked until my body began to tense. He pulled my leg over his shoulder, clamped
down, and sucked. Hard.

“Rafael!”
I screamed. My body convulsed as the orgasm tore through me. He pinned me to
the wall as he continued the assault. A second climax ripped through me.

Rafael
stood. I trembled, still basking in the pleasure pulsing through me. His eyes
heated. His lips demanded mine. “Kristine,” he groaned. He lifted me and thrust.

My
arms and legs locked around his massive frame. Rafael’s hands protected my back
while he drove inside of me. Again and again he thrust until our bodies
spiraled out of control. There was nothing gentle about this lovemaking. This
was raw, unadulterated sex fueled by lust.

“Rafael,”
I cried. I couldn’t believe he was about to wring a third orgasm from me in
less than fifteen minutes’ time.

He
thrust forcefully… stilled… then flooded me with heat.

I
disintegrated in his arms.

His
eyes sought mine while our breathing slowed.

We
both gasped when the baby flipped in what quite obviously was not a kick. This
was a full body roll.

“How
soon can we leave the reception?” Rafael growled.

I
winced. “Three, maybe four, hours?”

He
offered me a pained expression.

We
pulled our clothes back into place, then strolled back to the palace hand in
hand. I felt sated and blissfully content.

The
wedding party was looking for us inside the palace. Benjamim winked while Lexie
smirked. I ducked inside the piano room so I could freshen up. We spent a half
hour with the photographer before seeking out our guests.

I
stopped to admire the gardens on our way to the reception. Birds of Paradise
perched in front of the palace. Wisteria crept over stone ledges to kiss the mossy
green walls along the stone steps leading to the pond. Bright pink flowers
bloomed in the Rhododendron trees while lush ferns, violets, and primrose
framed the endless expanse of lawn. Beyond that, a lush green forest blanketed
the surrounding hilltops.

Our
caterer was working inside a large white tent next to the pond. A handful of
waiters were carrying platters of fish, ham, and prime rib to the banquet
tables, while others distributed drinks and offered breakfast pastries. An unfathomable
amount of food crowded six long banquet tables. The chef appeared to be serving
breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at once.

Tables
and chairs dressed in stark white linens sat alongside the sparkling pond. Two
black swans drifted curiously toward our guests, presumably looking for bread.
A jazz vocalist and her band were performing next to the parquet floor, although
no one was dancing… yet.

The
jazz vocalist announced our arrival mid-song. “Please join me in congratulating
Mr. and Mrs. Garcia!”

Cheers
echoed all around us.

Rafael
tucked me beneath his arm while we crossed the dance floor. The jazz vocalist
handed him the microphone. “Thank you for being here today. Our chef has
prepared an exquisite meal. Hopefully, this makes up for the fact that we
dragged you out of bed at such an ungodly hour.”

Everyone
chuckled.

A
waiter delivered two champagne flutes, which he carried on top of a silver
platter. Rafael’s glass was filled with champagne. Mine was filled with orange
juice. Our guests were already holding flutes filled with champagne or mimosa,
although some were sipping
bica
.

“I’d
like to feed my bride. I promise we’ll circulate as soon as we’ve had an
opportunity to eat. The caterer is serving brunch buffet style so please grab
your plates and join us. In the meantime, I’d like to propose a toast to this stunning
woman standing beside me.”

His
eyes sought mine. “Thank you for leading me away from the cold and vengeful path
I was on. You have gifted me with so much… faith, hope, friendship, laughter,
passion, love, a new family, supportive friends, and more reasons for living
than I can possibly cite. I no longer feel the need to avenge my parents’ death.
I know now that I can honor their lives, their love for one another, for
Michael, and me; by embracing life, by loving you, and cherishing all of the
good things in my life. I’m still determined to make this world a safer place,
but I’ve come to realize that I am more capable of achieving that goal with you
standing by my side. To you, Kristine… my angel, my lover, and friend.” Rafael entwined
his arm with mine while we drank to his toast.

We
loaded our plates with traditional Portuguese and American dishes before claiming
our seats at the head table. Rafael asked our attendants to walk through the
buffet with us, so they too were settling in with their plates.

Kimme
dropped into the chair directly across from me. “This place is unbelievable.
The palace is exquisite, but the gardens… the gardens are truly breathtaking. I
swear my heart stopped when the sun crept over the horizon. I feel like we’ve
stumbled into an enchanted garden. I mean… how is this even real?”

I
smiled, secretly thrilled. “The gardens extend far beyond the palace. You
should walk the grounds after we eat.”

Kadyn
pulled a chair out for Shae. “I’m surprised Maxim didn’t show.”

“Me
too.” Jase scoured the surrounding forest.

I
registered his absence with disappointment and relief. “I’m sure he has more
pressing matters to tend to.”

Cenia
looked up from her plate. “Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

“That’s
a surprise,” Rafael answered smugly.

“Italy?”
Kimme guessed.

“Fiji!”
Shae exclaimed.

“Belize?”
Ethan ventured.

“Spain,”
Marie added.

Rafael
laughed.

“We
should place bets,” Cenia suggested. “The winner gets to be the newlyweds’
first dinner guest when they get back.”

“Count
me in,” Kadyn replied, “but I want to choose the dish.”

“Clam
linguine?” I guessed.

“What
else?” He grinned.

“When
are you planning to return?” Lexie inquired worriedly. I could tell she was
thinking about the baby.

I
glanced at Rafael.

“We
hope to wrap up the investigation by the end of June,” Chief D’Souza confirmed.
“We still have a few preliminary hearings to get through, and we need Rafael to
testify against any defendants who go to trial.”

“Why
can’t you live here?” Eva pouted.

“We’ll
be dividing our time between both countries,” I assured her.

Marie
set her fork down. “What about work?”

I
took a deep breath and blew it out. “Seeds for Peace has agreed to hire me on a
consulting basis, as my schedule allows. I plan to volunteer at the Casa Pia
Orphanage or find another NGO to work for while in Portugal.”

“I
manage finances for an NGO with a humanitarian arm. I can help you secure a job
there,” Benjamim offered.

Rafael
brought my hand to his lips. “I think you would really enjoy working for them.”
By “them” he meant the Templar.

I
nodded, although intimidated by the idea. “I’ll e-mail my curriculum vitae to
Benjamim when we return.”

Rafael
eyed my empty plate. “Shall we cut the wedding cake?”

“Sure.”
I pressed a kiss to his cheek when he helped me to my feet.

We
visited with our remaining guests before seeking out the cake table. I had caught
a glimpse of the cake earlier, but this was my first opportunity to see it up close.
Deep purple roses sat atop the four tier cake. A variety of purple flowers were
scattered along the remaining tiers. The bright white icing was decorated in
alternating patterns. The bottom and third tier were carved in a flawless
diamond pattern, while the second and top tier boasted an intricate filigree
design that mirrored the filigree carvings above the arches and windows inside
the palace.

“It’s
beautiful,” I whispered.

Rafael
tensed.

Confused,
I followed his gaze. My heart stalled. I reached for the hand painted
matryoshka
dolls. The nesting dolls were painted with painstaking precision… a blond bride
with blue eyes, fair skin, and soft pink cheeks… and a dark haired groom with
brown eyes and caramel colored skin. The bride looked angelic, but the groom
had a fierce look on his face. “Maxim,” I breathed.