37 : Introducing Sofia to the uncle

**Evelyn :**

"Mm, something's is off,” my man murmurs in my ear, scanning the entire club again.

We had already spent two hours and neither Luke or Raphael’s uncle, or the Phoenix we wanted to catch had appeared. I was already getting worried.

"Maybe your brother is in trouble?" I was afraid to imagine the worst.

I even drank three ciders out of worry, which pleasantly cooled my throat. They tasted like peaches, light and almost nonalcoholic but it wasn't the drinks that gave me a headache, it was rather my nerves that didn't give me peace.

"I don't think so. Rather, he got himself a new toy who entertains him with lap dances in one of the private VIP rooms," his hand caressed my hair comfortingly and it distracted me a bit but my gaze pinned him to the spot as I thinned my lips in anger.

"How would you know? You came here often to have fun? " A sudden emotion like jealousy pierces through my heart and I watch as Raphael leans back a bit, settling into a more comfortable position so I can sit more comfortably on his lap.

An amusement expression creeps into his face as the left corner of his mouth rises up a bit in a smile. I scoffed and turned away, even though I'm still waiting for an answer.

I feel him watching me for a while and finally, in the corner of my line of vision, his hand reaches up to brush a few strands of hair from my temples. My eyes drift to his as he tucks them behind my ear, his dark gaze softening as he watches the action.

Goosebumps make my heart beat faster and faster.

"To be honest?" his voice is low, I wouldn't have even heard anything if I hadn't looked at his lips, "I haven't had anyone since you. I can't imagine life without you, my heart was empty when I lost you before... I knew I couldn't touch no one but you. Even though I knew you were no longer in my reach, I still loved you and promised myself never to touch anyone else again, because I already belong to you," Seeing the various emotions in his beautiful eyes, I feel wetness on my cheeks when his fingers doesn’t hesitate to wipe my tears.

*Damn, he ruined my mascara!*

Why did he have to be so genuine, so sweet?

“Raphael…’’ I couldn't get the words out of my mouth because the tears were falling like crazy. His feelings were so strong that I could only fall in love with him all over again.

"Shhh, you don't have to say anything. There will be plenty of time, love,” hugging me tightly, I bury my face in his neck but he doesn't even care that my eyes are watering.

Before we can sink into the silence, a low and even more terrible voice is heard near us but so close that it is not hard to guess that the speaker has spoken to us.

"Well, well, well, my favourite nephew has arrived, what a surprise. Who would this beautiful lady be, by your side?"

Raphael immediately stiffens, his muscles tense and it feels like he's going to shake from anger as the hug gets tighter but eventually he relaxes and leans into my ear.

“Play with me please” before I can figure out what exactly and why, Raphael lets go of me but still makes me sit on his lap. I notice that he is smiling and that smile already expresses everything he thinks about the newcomer.

"Uncle, I haven't seen you for a long time," there is false joy in his voice and when I turn my head, I see a tall man in a dark suit. My mouth drops open when I see how young and quite handsome Raphael’s uncle looks.

Is he serious? The man looks only a few years older than himself but I wouldn't be surprised if they were immortal. Although he gave everyone a charming smile and look, I knew very well that he was our enemy, since this is the uncle who killed Raphael’s mother.

His gaze turns to me and I freeze in fear as I can see the darkness and dangerous energy around him.

''Mmm, Raphael…You didn't answer me. You won't introduce us?''

My man purses his lips but smiles, even though I feel disgusted by the whole situation. His hand gently caresses my hair, looking at me, giving me some kind of signal through that look, which I don't immediately understand, but then he speaks,'' Her name is Sofia...She is one of my regulars, with whom I spend the night with.’’

What? Did I hear that correctly?

My eyes go to Phoenix who gently but warningly grips my hair hard to tilt my head back. I don't understand anymore because I'm angry at him for lying to his uncle, telling me that I'm some kind of entertainment toy, some whore and nothing more. Let's not even start about the false name.

''Oh I see,’’ His uncle sounds skeptical, but believing the lie, extends his hand in my direction, a slow sexy smile appearing on his face, ''I'm John. John Snow, this guy's uncle,'' waiting for me to answer the handshake, I didn't raise my hand at all, afraid of what would happen.

Raphael grins dangerously, pulling me closer to him and caressing my neck with his other hand. I flinch when our eyes meet.
''She is shy with strangers, so I apologise for her behaviour.''

I grit my teeth and try to bear the situation and the uncomfortable atmosphere as I give Raphael a menacing look, letting him know that I don't like what he's playing.

*I'll deal with you later.*

I don't even have to say it out loud for my man to understand, but after ignoring it, he turns to our newcomer, who is watching our silent argument with an interested look, because I already have a feeling that he knows something, but is not telling us.

And the question was, how can Raphael pretend that everything is fine when we know very well that it isn't. So are they hiding the fact that there is a murder between the two?

"And you are also shy to speak?" One eyebrow shoots up when his uncle looks me up and down.

Phoenix can only laugh softly and gives me a kiss on the ear, "Sophia, don't be shy, he won't hurt you," whispering only in my ears, as if this is all funny, I bite my lips and give a fake smile to his uncle.

"I'm sorry, sir... I was taught by my mother not to talk to strangers but since you're my partner's relative... Nice to meet you, but if you keep looking at me like I'm a prostitute, I'll gouge your eyes out, okay?"

*What the heck?*

I have no idea why I said that because John looked surprised for a moment before looking at Raphael.

"You let her behave as she wants? With a mouth like that, she can get into trouble."

*Shit.*

My man's grip tightens for a moment as his nails dig into my side a bit. Feeling his body much hotter, he turns my chin towards him through clenched teeth before not forgetting to apologise to his uncle.

"What did I tell you, little bird? Be obedient and apologise to my uncle before he thinks of kicking us out of his club. I don't think she meant it, just scared and shy, isn’t she, my pet?” Giving me a warning look, I shoot death stare at him but end up looking at John myself.

"Please forgive me, sometimes my tongue is sharp. If I have offended you, you can show me the way out and I will make sure not to come here ever again, I will not get you or anyone in any kind of trouble, it wasn’t my intention to upset you, sir.’’

Raphael squeezes me tighter, almost out of breath but ignoring it, I see his uncle relax for a moment.

"What are you… It's okay, I respect a woman who values her body and her pride," he smiles and turns back to Raphael,” I'll definitely leave you two alone, if there's any problem, come to me and we'll fix it without a scene. Since you came visit me at my club. Have a nice evening," before Phoenix can object, his uncle turns and disappears into the crowd.

*What just happened?*

"Damn it," my man curses and with a heavy exhale, I can feel the burn marks on his suit from how warm he is. Grabbing my neck, he gives me a dark look.

"I told you to play along with me instead of provoking him. You want to cause trouble before we find the other Phoenix? Evelyn, fuck... If I were home I'd spank you until you realise the danger we're in... Fuck , " his eyes are already on fire and I jerk out of his grip in shock, from which I miraculously get free.

Sitting awkwardly next to him, I watched as Raphael barely contained himself as the energy pulsing around us was so dark it felt like it was going to suck me in but that didn't stop me from reacting.

"You're an idiot!!? Why did you have to make fun of me and lie who we are to each other? You made him think you hired me for your own pleasure. I thought you weren't going to talk to him," anger rose in me like never before.

Raphael can only laugh evilly before looking back at me. After removing his jacket, he tugs at his tie, pulling it off as well.

Running a hand through his hair, my body reacts to his actions as I get hotter myself.

"You think I named you Sophia for fun? You think I don't want to tell everyone that you're mine and no one else's? Damn it, I didn't do it for fun, to hurt and piss you off. My uncle is pretty powerful in his own territory , as I am, and if I go against him, there will be not one enemy, but two. He must not know who you are and who you are to me, for by using that information to his advantage, he can gain access to you, through me, and who knows, what to do with you. You're my weakness, Evelyn. Do you even realise that? I'm not some kind of sadist who enjoys the pain of the person I love, fuck.”

Heart pounding in my chest, I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm myself. When I open them again, I can't even get the words out of my mouth because the screams in the club suddenly made us stop our argument and see what is happening.

The power goes out and the lights go out all over the club along with the music. Only screams can be heard but even in the darkness I see a similar being flying towards us, completely in flames.

The other Phoenix must have noticed our arrival. *Shit.*

“Evelyn, get under the table. I don't want anything to happen to you," I hear Raphael’s voice next to me as I get pushed to the floor and see my Phoenix also turn into a big fire bird and it's much much bigger this time.

Fuck, there will be some blood and I really hope it won't be my Phoenix who sheds them.