Chapter 19

**RAPHAEL**

How dare he?!
Using Nicole to threaten me!

Nobody touches my wife. I'll fight the entire world for her. She is mine.
My cheat heaved with anger with the veins in my arms popping out.

"Where the fuck did you get this letter from!?"I barked, my blood boiling with anger.

"Capo according to your orders, I took about twenty men and we flew to Moscow to meet with the red Indians. We had finalised the deal already but the night before we were to come back to Italy, two of our men were found dead, four bullets had gone through their heads and this letter was laid next to the body of one" the frightened guard explained.

I was too angry for words. I didn't know what to say because at this point I was loosing it, my sanity was slipping out of me and the only thing I could focus on right now was killing Ivan in cold blood.

I had tried so hard to not let the expensive tricks Ivan was playing get to me but bringing Nicole into this was the height of it all.

Now there was no turning back.
"If he wants a war, then I'll give him a war. If he wants to see blood, I'll make him drink it. Nobody and I mean nobody messes with my wife!" I roared with an uncontrollable fury, my veins throbbing and my bloodshot eyes blazing with anger.

He just woke the demon in me. Now I was bloodthirsty. Thirsty for his blood.

"Inform Luciano that I want him in Moscow before tomorrow runs out..."I began.

"B-but"the guard immedately interrupted me as I flashed him a fiery gaze.
"Luciano is in the middle east. He is working with one of the capos on..."

"I DON'T CARE!"I yelled cocking my gun.
He stood rigid and bowed his head as if apologising for his speech.

"I DON'T care"I muttered underneath my breath, laying emphasis on the "don't'.

"Inform Luciano to take about ten men to Moscow. Ivan needs to know what I'm made off. He has a daughter doesn't he?"

The guard nodded his head at once.
A smirk formed on my face and I stole quick glances at my four capos who stood rigid.

"Tell him to monitor her movements, where she goes, what she does, I want it all under surveillance, every detail. And once he has gotten it all under his fingertips, get a sniper and shoot her...."
I stopped in my speech and whipped my head to face my men, browsing their face to see if anyone had an objection. No one did. They were all undaunted.

"But I don't want her dead. Just let a bullet pass through her beautiful body. It will sound as a warning to Ivan. I don't want to give him the benefit of doubting my abilities. If it's a war he wants, it's a war he will get" I concluded with a snap of my fingers.

The guard nodded with a stoic expression on his face. He tucked his revolver into his pants and walked out.

"Why didnt you just send Leila?"Marco asked.

"Leila will attend the conference with me"I replied not facing Marco.

Nothing mattered more to me right now than ripping Ivan's head off.
I glanced at the letter that was still in between Thomas' fingers and walked towards him.

Taking it from him, I brought out a lighter from my pocket and lit it at the letter, watching the flames erupt and slowly burning it.

Ivan truly had awoken the beast in me. For his sake, I truly hoped he could handle the consequences because now I was just blood thirsty.

* * * * * * *
NICOLE

I walked out of the shower, my robe hugging on to my wet body. I glanced at the digital clock on the wall. This was 11:30 sharp.

Shit. I let out a low, mournful sound remembering that I would have attend a function by 12am with Raphael.

What sort of function begins at 12am? Raphael arrived back an hour ago to inform me of it.
Just when I thought we could spend the night together, he was dragging me along with him to an early morning gathering.

I truly didn't want to go, I pleaded for him to let me stay home but he just refuted my pleading and insisted I would go with him. He said it was a formal event and he would have to show up with his wife as a sign of respect to the important personalities that would be attending.

That seemed fair enough but I truly didn't want to be out by 12am. Besides my insides still felt sore from our intense love making.

I blushed thinking of how many times Raphael took me. It was a pity he left before I even woke up.
Bummer...I thought.

I quickly dried my body noticing I had less than thirty minutes to get ready. Raphael was already waiting for me downstairs.

I slipped in my panties and applied a nivea lotion to my body. I loved how it suited my melanin skin and gave it an alluring scent.

I had already brought out a gown which was laid on the bed. It was a long navyblue low neck peplon gown. I walked to the dressing room, staring at my reflection.
It looked so beautiful on me, literally sweeping the ground.

I took out my pair of toed pointed black heels from one of the shelves and put them on. I didn't want to go to this function but atleast I could look my best.

My braids were let to fall and I wore the diamond earrings Raphael got for me. I didn't want my face to appear overly glorified with makeup so I just applied some foundation to match my skin, mascara, brushed my eye brows and smeared a cherry red lipstick on my lips to top it off.

I looked like a bride. I squirted myself with my favourite vanilla scented perfume.
I then grabbed the scarlet red purse that was lying on my bed before walking out of the room.

I approached the staircase and I could spot Raphael on a call, his back turned against me.
I wonder how he would react seeing me dressed like this. I truly hope I didn't over dress or under dress.

He did mention it was a very formal event and I truly just wanted to look my best.
I winced in annoyance as my heels made contact with the floors of the stair case.

Raphael seemed to be on a very important call because he didn't even turn back to face me even though I knew he must have heard the clicking of my heels.

"Bella why did you take...."Raphael began but stopped himself mid-sentence as he turned and his eyes locked with mine.

He stared doe-eyed at me, mesmerized with his lips slightly parted.

I felt my cheeks heated and made my way towards him.

"Wow"he breathed.
"You look amazing. Sweet. Tempting"He added in his rich, low tone.

I pressed my lips to a thin line and blushed. "Thank you"I replied shyly.

He stretched out his hand to me and I took them.
Interlocking with his slender fingers, we both walked outside to our waiting limousine.

I truly wonder how this function will turn out. I hope it won't be like the dinner we had with Armani...or will it?