Blood and Roses

Chapter 12

Rafael

Waking up with Camille still nestled against me felt like a dream I never wanted to end. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, bathing her in a golden glow, making her look almost ethereal. My heart swelled as I watched her, each breath she took steady and peaceful. The memory of last night lingered, and I could still feel the warmth of her skin, the softness of her touch. It wasn’t just the passion we’d shared—it was the connection, the unspoken promises, the way she had unknowingly filled the empty spaces inside me.

She stirred slightly, her head resting against my chest, and I couldn’t help but brush a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how something so simple could feel so intimate. Last night had changed everything. I wasn’t the same man I was before, and neither was she. In that moment, with the world quiet around us, all I knew was that I’d do anything to protect her. She was my world now.

She was mine now, in every way that muttered. Mine.
The thought consumed me, and I wasn’t about to let anything or anyone take her away from me. If anyone dared to touch her, I wouldn't just make them dissappear - I'd make them suffer in ways they couldn't even imagine.  I'd tear apart their world, destroy everything they loved, starting with their family, their friends,  leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. And when they had nothing left, I'd drag them into the darkest corner of their own mind, make them beg for mercy that would never come. I'd watch as their screams echoed into the emptiness, and only when they fully understand the price of crossing me, of touching what was mine, would I grant them the release they have been begging for. Death.

Carefully, I shifted closer, pulling her into me, my arm wrapping tighter around her waist as I pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. She stirred slightly, her breath steady, but didn’t wake. I gazed down at her, her peaceful face nestled against my chest, and a wave of emotion surged through me—pride, adoration, something deeper. Camille was mine, and nothing was more certain in that moment. My fingers gently traced through her hair, down to her bare shoulder, savoring the warmth of her skin. The need to protect her consumed me. My enemies would do anything to get to me, and the thought of them even thinking about hurting her chilled me to the core. But it only fueled my resolve—nothing was going to touch her, not while I was here. Not ever.

Later that morning, as Camille sat on the terrace enjoying her breakfast, her eyes closed against the soft breeze, I stepped away, slipping my phone from my pocket. The call was necessary—urgent even. Marco’s voice greeted me on the other end, businesslike and direct, but this wasn’t just about business. “Double the guards,” I ordered, my voice low but firm. “I want extra men stationed around the estate, twenty-four hours. No one comes or goes without my explicit permission.”

“Consider it done, boss,” Marco replied without hesitation, already understanding the gravity of the situation. But I wasn’t finished.

“And make sure the perimeter is checked every hour. I want eyes everywhere—on every road, every blind spot. If anything seems off, I want to know about it before it becomes a problem.”

I hung up, taking a moment to breathe deeply before glancing back at the terrace. Camille was sitting there, her smile soft and serene as she enjoyed her meal, completely unaware of the layers of protection I was weaving around her. Her world was one of peace and simplicity, a stark contrast to the one I lived in—the one I was doing everything to keep her shielded from.

She waved at me, her smile still bright, and I forced a casual nod in return, trying to hide the weight pressing down on my chest. How could I keep her safe without pulling her deeper into the darkness? The more distance I could create between her and the dangers circling my world, the better. But that distance was a fragile illusion, and I knew it wouldn’t last forever. Sooner or later, she’d have to face the reality of who I was, and I needed to prepare her for that.