The slam of the doors echoed through the ruined church, louder than thunder. My heart jumped into my throat. Rafael's shadow filled the space, his broad shoulders blocking the light, his fury rolling toward me like a storm.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" His voice cracked like a whip.
I froze. My hands felt clammy, my throat dry. I wanted to speak, but the words tangled up. The phone in my pocket buzzed again, but I didn't dare look.
"I asked you a question." He took a step forward, the weight of his boots heavy on the cracked floorboards. "Why are you here, Aurora?"
I forced myself to swallow. "I just… needed answers."
"From him?" His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing like blades. "Do you have any idea who that man is?"
"I don't even know his name," I admitted, voice trembling. "But he—he told me things. Things you never did."
His expression darkened. "What things?"
I shook my head, my chest rising and falling in sharp bursts. "I don't even know if it's true. But he said—"
"Tell me." His voice was sharp, demanding, the kind that left no room for silence.
I met his gaze, my stomach twisting. "He said… my father paid you to kill me. That my name was on that list because of him. That you accepted the contract."
For a heartbeat, silence. Only the echo of my own words filling the hollow church.
Then Rafael laughed. Low. Bitter. Dangerous.
"That's what he told you?" he asked, his voice edged with venom.
"Yes." My voice broke. "Rafael… is it true?"
He closed the space between us in three strides, his hand snapping up to grip my chin, forcing my head back. His eyes burned into mine, so close I could feel the heat of his breath.
"You think I'd take money to kill you?" His voice was a growl, rough and raw.
"I don't know what to think anymore!" I cried. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "You hide things. You lie. You keep secrets, and I'm always the one in the dark. How am I supposed to trust you when everything points to the worst?"
His grip tightened before he let go suddenly, like my skin burned him. He turned away, running both hands through his hair, pacing like a caged animal.
"Your father…" His voice dropped, almost broken. "That bastard. Yes, he came to me once. Yes, he wanted a deal. But I never agreed to it. Do you hear me? Never."
My chest squeezed. "But why was my name on the list?"
He spun back toward me, eyes wild. "Because in my world, Aurora, everyone is a risk until proven otherwise. You walked into my life at the worst possible moment. I couldn't trust you then. And maybe I shouldn't trust you now."
His words cut deep, but I bit down hard, refusing to show weakness. "So we're even. You don't trust me, and I don't trust you."
The silence between us crackled like fire.
Then Rafael's hand shot out again, but this time it wasn't to hurt me—it was to drag me against him. His mouth crashed onto mine, fierce and punishing, his anger spilling into every kiss.
I gasped against him, my fists hitting his chest, but my body betrayed me again, melting into his fire. His tongue claimed mine, rough and unrelenting, until I was breathless.
"Don't ever doubt me again," he growled against my lips. "You're mine, Aurora. Even if the whole world lies to you, remember that."
His hands gripped my hips, lifting me effortlessly. He carried me to the altar, setting me down on the cold, broken wood like it was a bed meant only for us.
"Rafael—" I tried to protest, but his mouth silenced me, his teeth grazing my neck, his hand tearing open the zipper of my hoodie.
The anger between us turned into something darker, hotter. His fingers dug into my thighs, spreading me open, his body pressing me down.
"You think I'd ever let anyone take you from me?" he whispered harshly, sliding into me in one hard thrust that made me cry out. "I'd slaughter them all first."
My nails scraped against his back as he moved, every stroke deep, every kiss bruising. Tears blurred my vision, but they weren't just from pain. They were from the terrifying truth that part of me believed him—believed that his obsession was the only shield I had left.
The church walls echoed with our sounds, every gasp and cry bouncing back at me, as if the world itself was bearing witness.
He held my throat again, not to choke, but to anchor me. "Say it," he demanded, thrust after thrust. "Say you're mine."
"I'm yours," I gasped, the words spilling from my lips before I could stop them. "Yours, Rafael."
His groan was guttural, almost broken, as he buried himself deep and stilled, his body trembling against mine.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The storm outside rattled through the shattered windows, thunder shaking the ground beneath us.
Finally, Rafael pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze was softer now, but no less intense. "Don't meet him again. Whoever he is, whatever he told you—it's poison. He wants to turn you against me. I can't allow that."
I swallowed hard, my heart still racing. "And if I do? If I go behind your back again?"
His eyes darkened. His hand brushed my cheek, gentle this time, but his words were steel. "Then I won't kill you, Aurora. But I will break you until you remember who you belong to."
A shiver ran through me, equal parts fear and desire.
And yet, deep inside, one truth gnawed at me.
That man's voice, his words, his warning—none of it felt like a lie.
I had two choices: trust Rafael and drown in his obsession… or find the truth and risk losing him forever.
As Rafael kissed me again, sealing me to him, I knew one thing for certain.
The real danger wasn't out there.
It was right here, wrapped around me, whispering my name like a vow and a curse all at once.