The Devil's Angel Page 9

Rae almost pulled back when Yvan led her out of the room. The staff stood in a neat line, looking at her expectantly. She wanted to duck behind Yvan and hide, but he didn’t give her the chance. Instead, he pushed her forward.

  “I…” Rae cleared her throat. “I don’t like the makeup. In fact, I want it all off.” She looked at Yvan, and he gave her an encouraging nod. “I also would like to change my hair and my dress. Mr. D’Alessandro has a pressing matter to attend to and I would like this done as soon as possible. If you have the time,” she added in a rush.

  Yvan cleared his throat and they all jumped into action.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it,” he told her.

  * * * *

  “Beautiful,” Yvan muttered, a maelstrom of emotions swirling in his chest.

  “Si.”

  Yvan turned to see the priest, his smile tacked to almost behind his ears. If he wasn’t a man of the cloth, that smile would have made Yvan jealous.

  “Gracias.”

  As much as he wanted Rae to hurry down the aisle to him, he was glad she was taking her time. He wanted her to see every single detail he had arranged for this day. Rae walked under the white lily arches, over white rose petals. Her orchid bouquet had diamond embellishments. And the dress…it was the same one she was to have worn during their first wedding. Yvan put it out of his mind that Rubi had had it on. It didn’t matter, because on Rae, it looked like a piece of art. Yvan held his hand out to Rae. He marveled at how her tiny hand fit perfectly into his. Home. That was the only way he could explain it.

  The priest cleared his throat, and Yvan knew he was about to start his rumblings. It was his perfect time so, silencing the priest, Yvan said, “I thought of so many ways of how to make this moment perfect. I am not one for religion—lo siento, Padre—I just wanted this to be the day you’ll never forget. But I don’t think there is anything the priest can say that can make this our moment.”

  Yvan got on one knee and held out the solitaire diamond engagement ring.

  “You got it back?” Rae said, and her bottom lip trembled, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

  “Of course I did.” Yvan slid the ring on her finger. “This is a sign of my promise. That I will always love you and protect you.” He took out the emerald ring and put it on her finger. “This is a sign of our forever. Our children and their children and their children’s children will speak of this moment for eternity. The day Yvan D’Alessandro honored a family heirloom by giving it to you, Rae Santos D’Alessandro. They will learn from our story and our love will make theirs stronger.”

  Yvan rose to his feet and, with his finger, brushed off the tears slowly rolling down Rae’s cheeks.

  “I’m not a roses and chocolates kind of guy. I don’t watch chick flicks or listen to Michael Bublé. The one thing you can depend on is that I will never leave your side, and my love for you will never waver.”

  “Beautiful,” Rae whispered. She was looking over his shoulder. And when Yvan turned around he saw the most beautiful sunset he had ever seen in his life. “Eternal, that is what the sun is.” Rae took a ring the priest had in his bible. She held it up and stared at the black gold then at Yvan. “The old me wouldn’t insist on you wearing this ring. The old me would just be happy there was someone who loved her. But the new me…the new me knows that I am worth your love and more. The new me would like to put a stamp on your forehead, ‘Rae Santos’, because you are mine and I am yours.”

  She slid the ring on his finger, and a shiver swept through Yvan’s entire body. His bachelor instinct wanted him to run, but the angel’s devil, the love that beat in his heart solely for Rae, drew her into his arms for a hug and a kiss.

  They walked along the white sandy beach hand in hand. Yvan kept staring at Rae, and in his mind, one word rang true—unbelievable. Yvan spotted the tent he had put up for their wedding night. He wanted to make love to Rae with Mother Nature bearing witness. They stood at the entrance, Yvan hesitant. Sure, he and Rae had done a lot when it came to sexual intimacy, but he had never been inside her. No one had. The pressure and responsibility of a gift as pure as her virginity had him shaking in his boots.

  What if I hurt her? What if I don’t meet her expectations? What if…

  “Come on.” Rae pulled him into the tent. He gave one quick look outside until he was satisfied no one else was there. It was a private beach, an island in fact. But there was always that one person going against the rule.

  “Yvan.”

  When he turned to look at her, all he saw was her caramel skin. Her white gown had disappeared. He gave her a once-over, his gaze touching each curve of her body. Her gown was pooled at her feet, making it seem like she was standing on a cloud. Yvan didn’t waste a second. In a heartbeat he was shedding his own clothes. He took Rae in his arms and planted kisses along her neck and shoulder. Floating side to side, they had their first dance, with the elements as their orchestra.

  Yvan’s breaths came in rapid, short spurts. The sensation of Rae’s mouth against his skin was making his body hot with need. His intention was to take it slow. It was her first time and their first time together. He didn’t want to ruin it. But Rae’s fingers digging into his butt and occasionally grazing his balls was enough to make a saint mad with lust. He lifted her in his arms and gently lay her down on the feather mattress. His fingers caressed the insides of her thighs. Yvan let out a growl of approval when he found how wet she was. Slow and magical, or fast, hard, passionate, and yet still beautiful, that was his dilemma.

  “Now!”

  A hoarse command from Rae’s luscious lips made the decision for him. He settled between her thighs and held her hand as he eased himself inside her. “Shit!” he hissed. She was as tight as a fist, and so warm. Yvan thought he was going to pass out. He could feel the blood rush from his brain and into his groin. He knew Rae felt it too, because his erection increased in size and she let out a whimper. “Sorry, it’s going to be good in a second.”

  Rae nodded as her grip on his hand tightened. Yvan felt the barrier of her innocence, and with a little push he broke through it. He kissed her, swallowing her cry of pain. Yvan hated himself for hurting her, but that didn’t last. He was still above her, not wanting to move and cause her more harm. Yvan was giving her body a chance to get used to his size.

  When Rae’s hips lifted off the bed, he knew she was ready for him. But he didn’t move. With his elbows he lifted himself higher…he wanted her to see how they were joined. He needed her to see how perfectly they fit together. Yvan’s jaw clenched, his whole body going rigid. His climax was dangerously near, and he didn’t want to stop Rae and the movement she was making with her hips.

  “Please!”

  “You are mine. Open your eyes, Rae.” Yvan didn’t mean to sound so authoritarian, but his need to orgasm was making his tone gruff. When Rae opened her eyes he said once more, “You are mine.”

  “Yours.”

  That was all the permission he needed. He hooked her good leg on his elbow and drove into her, relentlessly and like a madman. Yvan felt Rae’s pussy clench around his penis. She bucked under him as her climax rolled through her. Yvan didn’t stop, though, as he chased his own orgasm. Harder, deeper, faster—no matter what he did it didn’t seem like enough. Rae was too sweet to let go of. He didn’t want to leave her succulent center.

  Yvan drove himself to the edge, chuckling when Rae came once more. A tingle in his balls let him know that he wouldn’t be able to keep it up any longer. He tucked his arms under her and rolled to his back, bringing her with him. Rae settled on top of him, her fingers digging into his arms. Yvan locked his arms around her, lifting his hips off the bed and, using the strength of his thighs, he pounded into her over and over again. Yvan came hard, his arms tightening around Rae’s tiny body. His head thrown back, he let out a cry of fulfillment.

  Chapter 12

  Four months later…

  Rae would never forget the look on Yvan’s face when, four months ago, th
e doctor had told her she might not be able to conceive. He had given them plenty of terms, explaining that Rae had only one ovary left and that her uterus had gone through a trauma, and the metal that held her pelvis together wouldn’t allow for a natural birth. All she thought was you don’t know me or my body, and you especially don’t know my husband. A month later she only had one problem to think about—the birth. Yvan had been determined, making love to her in the morning before work, at lunch, and after dinner. But she had never felt like the only thing he wanted was a child. When he touched her, it was with love.

  Rae was more confident than she ever imagined she could be. She wore shorts and miniskirts in the house. At times she would wait for Yvan wearing nothing but a bikini, her hair free and wild just as he liked it. He would help her into the Jacuzzi, and after a few seconds of soaking, they would be making love. There wasn’t a place in the house that she and Yvan hadn’t christened. Their lovemaking was slow and beautiful, and at times frantic and needy. There were times she felt like they would merge into one organism.

  Rae was three months along now, and it was safe to tell Yvan that she was expecting their first child. She was glad she wasn’t having twins. She didn’t think that Yvan would want that, and part of her also didn’t want it. Rae didn’t want two children who were at odds like she and Rubi were.

  Even though she didn’t want twins, she wanted six children at least. She wanted to fill their eight bedroom mansion with little people made from the love she and Yvan shared. Looking around the house, she could almost see it. The toys scattered everywhere, the boys chasing each other down the halls, and the girls in their playroom having a princess tea party. Their dolls would be neatly arranged in the doll house their daddy built them. Then she and Yvan would sit by the fireplace at the end of the day, laughing about the crazy things their children did. They would be happy. Rae was going to fight for the joy, the laughter, and the adventure.

  She placed her hand on her belly and said, “It began with your father and me. And now you will make our lives more fulfilled, our glee greater, and our love stronger.”

  Rae heard the front door open. She looked around the dining table and was satisfied with what she was to present to her husband. She had planned the ultimate surprise—a romantic dinner and, once they went up to their bedroom, a room full of congratulatory balloons waited for him. The footsteps that came up behind her weren’t familiar. Rae turned to look at who it was but she was slightly too late. Her head snapped back from the force of being hit. Darkness consumed her as she sank to the floor.

  * * * *

  Yvan’s shoulders drooped from the weight of his exhaustion. It had been a difficult day. Work was piling up, new businesses needed his attention, and the fact that Rae wasn’t pregnant yet burdened him. He wanted a baby for the both of them. Sometimes he thought he was putting too much pressure on Rae, but she didn’t show it. A sly smile formed on his lips. Rae seemed to love their three-times-a-day love sessions.

  Yvan groaned in frustration as his erection pushed his trouser to form a tent. He hadn’t been able to make it home at lunch. Too much work. Yvan thought of hiring more people, anything to make sure company business never came in the way of his quality time with Rae.

  “Rae, my beautiful wife.” Yvan parked his Aston Martin at the front door and jumped out. As he ran up the front steps he begin to undress. It was six o’clock and she would be making dinner for him. But that would have to wait because he needed to bury himself in her warmth.

  He ran past the dining room and had to double back. The food was ready and Yvan didn’t miss the romantic mood the candles and music presented. He frowned. Yvan didn’t want to overlook the hard work she had put in, but his erection was becoming painful.

  “My love.”

  He turned at the sound of her voice. She was in a long cotton skirt and a cardigan, and her hair was braided at the side. “Are you going to church?” That was the only explanation he had for what she wore.

  “No, silly.” She giggled.

  There was a fake and forced innocence in that sound. Rae looked like she was trying her hardest not to be seductive and instead be innocent. He looked down at her feet as she walked toward him…there was the limp he was used to and barely noticed these days. Today it was obvious, and the grimace on her face said that her leg hurt. It shouldn’t, he thought. The way Yvan made love to her at times, the pain should have presented itself earlier.

  She smiled at him and he knew. It wasn’t Rae. It was Rubi. His first instinct was to beat the truth out of the witch, but he didn’t know where Rae was. “What’s for dinner?” he forced himself to say.

  “Me.”

  Yvan scoffed. His erection long gone, he didn’t think he could fake it. “It’s been a long day. I’m tired. Maybe in the morning.”

  Rubi shrugged expressively. The malicious gleam in her eyes said she wasn’t happy about it. But as she took on Rae’s role, she didn’t complain. “I made dinner.”

  “I had a snack at the office.” Yvan studied her, waiting for a sign, anything that would tell him where Rae was.

  Rubi took a seat at the dining table. She served the food as if she belonged there. Yvan took a seat next to her. He slid his hand under her chin, bringing her gaze up to his. “Have you heard from your sister lately?”

  “I don’t have a sister.” Yvan saw a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

  “You do. Your twin. I was thinking that maybe we could forgive her. We could invite her to stay in the house with us.” Yvan clenched his fist beneath the table.

  “I don’t have a sister. I think she was always a figment of my imagination. When I was a little girl I must have been very lonely. I must have conjured her up. Everyone seemed to like her more than me.” Rubi shook her head and kept piling lasagna on her plate. “But she’s gone now. It’s just me now. Your wife.”

  Yvan’s gaze landed on her finger. “Where are the rings?”

  “What—” Rubi looked down and saw what he meant. She cursed, then feigned a smile. “Somewhere in the house, I’ll get them in a minute.”

  “Maybe you should get them now.” Yvan could feel the stiffness in his shoulders and the tightening in his smile. He wouldn’t be able to keep up the charade for much longer.

  “Okay.”

  When Rubi rose she left a spot of blood on the chair. Yvan immediately thought it was Rae’s, but when his eyes followed her, he saw a crimson trail behind her. He jumped to his feet and followed her to the broom closet. When she opened it he saw Rae. His eyes narrowed as they met hers, rage consumed him, and he acted before he thought.

  Yvan pushed Rubi to the side and she landed in a crumpled mess. He grabbed at the ties that bound Rae to a chair. He had managed to set one of her hands free when a soul-shattering shriek sounded from Rubi. It was like the gates of hell had opened and the devil himself walked out. Rubi tried to stand up, a couple of times. Yvan watched frozen in shock as one of her legs fell to the ground.

  “You cut off your leg. Are you crazy?” On closer inspection he realized that the prosthetic leg was one of the half-dozen he’d had custom-made for Rae.

  “No. I’m Rae.” Eyes wide with insanity, Rubi hopped to him. “I love you and you love me.” She shut the broom closet door. “She doesn’t exist. She’s just a figment of our imagination.”

  “You’re sick, Rubi.”

  “I loved you. I could have been good for you.”

  “You are crazy and unfixable, Rubi. I love Rae.”

  “No!”

  Rubi’s face seemed to take on an odd, calculating sort of expression. She hopped a step, blurred into motion, and attacked. By the time Yvan saw the gun in her hand it was too late. He felt the force of the bullet in his shoulder knock him back, then he fell to the ground. The last thing Yvan saw was Rubi opening the broom closet.

  * * * *

  Rae watched in silent terror as blood pooled around Yvan. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest told her that he was still alive. How
ever, Rae didn’t think that she would be for much longer. There was only one thing she could do now—get help. She waited until Rubi had her back turned to her. Rae shot out of the chair and hopped to one of the windows and pushed it open. Rae had tripped the silent alarm, and she knew in a few seconds Yvan’s security would come rushing in.

  “What did you do? What did you do?” Rubi shrieked.

  Rubi tried to catch her, but Rae had ten years’ experience to Rubi’s one day. She could move about with her one leg just as well as a baby could on its two. She opened the front door, determined to escape and find help for Yvan. She moved away from Rubi as much as she could. Rae was so intent on getting away that she forgot about the few steps just a couple of inches from the front door. She tumbled down, and when she hit the ground, her body screamed in pain. Her arms wrapped around her center as she cried for the baby she was sure she had lost.

  “I get everything this time, Rae!” There was smoldering anger in her expression.

  Rae saw Rubi point the gun at her head. She closed her eyes and said a prayer for her soul and that of her unborn child. The boom of the gun filled her ears and settled on her heart. She expected to feel it stop, float out of her body…but nothing.

  Rae opened her eyes one at a time. Rubi was lying on the ground and Yvan stood at the front door. Rae closed her eyes as a tear slid down her temple. Her sister was dead, and her husband had killed her. The two people she loved most in the world had collided, and now one of them was dead.

  She turned away from Yvan when he knelt at her side. She needed a few seconds to mourn her sister before she showed her joy and appreciation to Yvan. He was still alive, and he had just saved her life and that of their child. When she was ready, they were interrupted by the sound of sirens.

  At the hospital, it was hours before she saw Yvan again. It was obvious that he thought she hated him for killing Rubi. He had asked a nurse to request permission for him to visit. Her response was to ask if they could share a room.

  They rolled Yvan into the room.