Broken Together

by K. S. Ruff

I opened the lid. “A Viana’s heart necklace.” I’d been admiring the filigree heart necklaces at the open market.

  His lips sought mine in a kiss so tender it brought tears to my eyes. “So you’ll remember you hold my heart.”

  I fought to keep my emotions in check. “When are we heading back?”

  He cut into the French toast. “The day after tomorrow. I need to go over a few things with Ethan since he’ll be managing the security firm while I’m away.”

  I took a deep, steadying breath. We’d been in Portugal for nine days. Still, it wasn’t enough. “What do you want to do on our last day?”

  He licked maple syrup from his fingers. “I was debating between the City of Tomar and Cascais.”

  I peeked at him from over the top of my coffee. “A relaxing day at the beach sounds nice.”

  Rafael nodded. “Cascais it is then. Is there anything special you’d like to do today?”

  I shrugged. “Not really.”

  He set our trays aside. “I want to make a baby.”

  “Oh, I’d like a baby,” I admitted playfully.

  “Then let’s make one,” Rafael suggested huskily.

  I buried my hands in his hair and pulled his lips toward mine.

  * * * * *

  Rafael and I spent our final day in Portugal on a sandy beach in Cascais, savoring a thermos of Portuguese coffee and a bag full of decadent pastries under a brilliant blue sky. The weather was cool, so there were very few people on the beach. We were wearing sweaters and blue jeans. Still, we kicked our boots off so we could dig our toes into the sand. The sunshine, the salty sea air, and the sound of gently lapping waves helped loosen the vise on my heart.

  The clock was ticking. Loudly. We were flying back home tomorrow. We’d have six days together in Virginia before being parted for five months. Five months. Half a year suddenly felt like an eternity. I hated the thought of being separated from Rafael. I wanted to stay in Lisbon with him, but I’d soaked so much time and money into my degree, I couldn’t bear to throw it all away.

  My graduate program wasn’t the only commitment forcing my hand. Oni was moving to Virginia in fifteen days. I helped her get admitted to the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Oni would be safer in the United States, but she didn’t have a support system in Virginia. I wanted to help her through that transition, see her settled into her new life.

  I rested my head on Rafael’s shoulder with a dejected sigh. His responsibilities were even more daunting than mine. Destroying an international pedophile ring, especially one that involved influential individuals, was no small undertaking. Rafael was personally vested in the case. I doubted he’d ever forgive himself for allowing that child to be violated while he stood guard over the perpetrator, even though he’d done so unknowingly. Still, if he could ensure that every last monster in that pedophile ring was taken off the streets, he might find peace.

  “How are you holding up?” Rafael asked. He’d been quiet while grappling with his own thoughts.

  “I miss you already,” I admitted tearfully.

  He pulled me close. “Me too.”

  The waves lulled us back into a tumultuous silence. We gathered our strength while seeking refuge from the impending storm.

  Chapter 4 –Little Talks

  I turned a slow circle in the mirror while admiring the sumptuous gown. Large chunks of jeweled confetti trickled down the nearly transparent bodice and a single sleeve. The heavily jeweled bodice was slanted, so my left arm was bare. Liquid gold poured from my hips all the way down to my toes. A deep slit along the side revealed strappy gold sandals and artfully painted toes in black and metallic gold. My hands shook as I smoothed the gown over my hips.

  I sank onto the edge of the bed. That image of a daring, confident woman couldn’t have felt more wrong. Beneath the perfect hair, the glittering nails, and dress; I was a mess. I didn’t feel like celebrating, not with Rafael leaving in three days. I was also worried about Kadyn. He was invited because he remained one of my most cherished friends. I was shocked he was actually attending the party. I still loved him, and I couldn’t bear to see him hurt. Still, Rafael deserved a fiancé who celebrated the fact she was marrying him. I hadn’t a clue how to soothe both their egos, how to honor one without hurting the other. With a deep, shuddering breath, I grabbed the faux fur wrap and walked downstairs.

  I’d banished Rafael from the bedroom so he wouldn’t see the dress before I was ready. I discovered him standing inside the kitchen with a San Pellegrino in his hand. I froze just inside the entrance. I couldn’t grasp how he managed to look so refined with all that raw power rolling off his lethal frame.

  Rafael’s eyes widened. He muttered something in Portuguese… a benediction, a few choice curse words, or something in between. In three long strides, he stood before me. He caressed my arm while studying the bodice. “Those jewels best cover all the important parts.”

  “They do.” A chill ran down my spine.

  He stepped a little closer. His hand slid beneath the slit in the dress. His fingers skimmed my hip before curling around the gold lace thong.

  “We’ll be late,” I objected. This was the PSP charity ball all over again.

  His lips grazed my shoulder. “Perhaps we should stay home.”

  My eyes slid closed. “We should be there to greet everyone.”

  “I’ll take a rain check,” he grudgingly conceded, “but consider yourself warned. I’ll be collecting within the hour.” He linked his fingers in mine before tugging me out the door. We were walking since the pier was less than two blocks away from the house.

  Rafael spoke with a crew member before we boarded the yacht. The captain greeted us when we stepped onto the deck. “Welcome aboard.”

  Ethan and his wife, Dakota, joined us a few minutes later.

  Rafael shook Ethan’s hand. “You clean up nice, my friend.”

  “Yeah, right.” Ethan tugged at his collar. I suspected his wasn’t the only bow tie that would be tossed aside before the end of the night.

  “You look gorgeous.” I hugged Dakota carefully so the jewels on my dress wouldn’t snag her silky taupe gown. Dakota’s pale blond hair was pulled back into an elegant twist that mimicked the ruched design of her dress.

  “Congratulations on your engagement,” Dakota gushed.

  Rafael kissed her cheek when Ethan pulled me in for a hug.

  We gave them a quick tour of the saloon before returning to the deck. Brady and Chance were boarding the yacht with their dates. Brady shook Rafael’s hand. He gave me a hug while introducing his date. “Heidi, these are my friends, Rafael and Kristine. Heidi has graciously agreed to be my date this evening.”

  Rafael and I shook Heidi’s hand. She was wearing a crushed velvet gown in midnight blue that looked gorgeous against her porcelain skin. Her dark blond hair was piled on top of her head in a messy but sexy upsweep. She looked flushed, and her blue eyes sparkled, which left me questioning what she and Brady had been up to before boarding the yacht.

  Chance planted a quick kiss on my cheek. He shook Rafael’s hand before introducing his date. “Jessica, I’d like you to meet my friends, Rafael and Kristine.”

  She smiled. “Congratulations. I understand you two were recently engaged.”

  Rafael drew me closer. “Yes. Thank you for celebrating with us.”

  “Jessica looks an awful lot like Shae,” I noted when they walked away. Both women had warm skin tones that made it difficult to pinpoint their ethnicity. They were both petite but curvy enough to cause men whiplash. Their hair tumbled down their backs in soft brown, auburn, and gold waves. The most noticeable difference appeared to be in their eyes. Shae had warm brown eyes and an even warmer personality. Jessica’s eyes were an impossible shade of green. The color was so improbable I suspected she was wearing tinted contacts. Still, her eyes were captivating, especially when paired with that emerald green dress.

  “I don’t think Chance has gotten over Shae.” Rafael stepped
in front of me. He bent to kiss me but paused millimeters away when his eyes snagged on something. “Your colleagues have arrived.”

  I grasped his face with both hands. “Don’t you dare renege on that kiss.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. Slowly, he fit his lips to mine. He took his time relishing the kiss until my toes curled against the deck.

  I stared at him, speechless.

  “Your friends…” He nodded toward Sammi and Cory.

  Sammi’s silver sequined gown glittered in the moonlight. The silver vest and necktie Cory was wearing complemented her gown and his dark skin tone perfectly.

  Sammi stepped forward to give me a hug. “Congratulations, Kri.” She grasped my hand. “Wow. What a beautiful ring!”

  “Thanks.” My pulse fluttered. I loved the sense of belonging that fell over me every time I caught sight of that ring.

  Cory pulled me in for a hug. “You’re literally glowing, Kri.” He shook Rafael’s hand. “Congratulations. Truly, we couldn’t be happier for you.”

  Cenia, Roger, Phil, and Marie arrived together. Cenia was wearing a red satin gown that looked striking with her long dark hair. Marie was wearing a black lace evening gown that offered tiny glimpses of skin along her shoulders, waist, and hips. Her light brown hair was pulled into an elegant upsweep that showcased her long, delicate neck. Phil and Roger looked surprisingly comfortable in their tuxes. We spent a few minutes exchanging hugs.

  Shae arrived on Konstantin’s arm. She was wearing a silk champagne gown that draped around her shoulders before plunging dangerously low across her back. Konstantin looked handsome in his tux.

  Jase stepped onto the yacht with his date, Emma. Silver sequins and crystal clear jewels formed the straps, cinched the waist, and glittered along the back of her stark white dress. She looked angelic in the white evening gown, especially when standing next to Jase. His daunting frame was in no way tempered by the tux. With his short cropped hair and piercing blue eyes, the man still screamed special ops.

  Kadyn was the last to arrive. His RSVP had indicated a “plus one,” so I knew he was bringing a date. Still, my breath caught when I saw the woman on his arm. Rafael watched me while I observed them.

  Kadyn’s date was wearing a deep merlot gown. In all reality, she was the polar opposite of me. My skin was pale. Hers was dark. My eyes were blue. Hers were chocolate brown. Light blond hair tumbled down my back in waves. Her straight brown hair was cut in a stylish A-line that fell just below her chin. I forced myself to ignore the ache in my chest, my roiling stomach, and all of the objections bubbling up inside of me so I could welcome them to the party.

  Rafael squeezed my hand encouragingly. “You got this.” He kissed me just above my temple.

  I nodded, took a deep breath, and slowly blew it out. Kadyn’s eyes grudgingly met mine. I was fumbling with a greeting when Rafael shook his hand. “Thanks for coming, Kadyn.”

  I didn’t want to make Kadyn uncomfortable by hugging him in front of his date. He pulled me in for a hug anyway. “Welcome back, Kri. How was Portugal?”

  I smiled gratefully. “Portugal was beautiful, especially Sintra. I could have spent months exploring those palaces.”

  Kadyn reached for his date. “Brianna, this is Rafael and Kristine, the friends I was telling you about.”

  I shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brianna.”

  “How do you know Kadyn?” Rafael asked, grasping her hand.

  “We’re collaborating on a project for CBP. Kadyn’s overseeing the project and managing the purse strings.” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “This man has made my life difficult the past few months. I think he’s trying to make amends by inviting me to your party.”

  Kadyn chuckled. “You’re a contractor. I’m supposed to make your life difficult.”

  The captain cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. Garcia, Ms. Stone. Are you expecting anymore guests?”

  Rafael tucked me under his arm. “No. Everyone is here.”

  The captain nodded toward a couple of crew members who were eying us expectantly. They began casting off the lines. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. We’ll be departing shortly.” He spoke to one of the crew members before returning to the bridge.

  “Shall we?” Rafael ushered us inside the saloon. We joined Konstantin and Shae at the bar. “Brianna, what would you like to drink?”

  “Pinot Grigio, please.” She studied the saloon with her hand tucked inside the crook of Kadyn’s arm. The room was richly appointed with glossy mahogany paneling, tables, and chairs. Ivory and gold upholstery softened the chairs. The lights had been turned down low. Candles cast a romantic glow around all five tables.

  The band was singing a lively rendition of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” near the dance floor. The bar, where we were standing, was tucked in a corner against the back wall. A chocolate fountain was churning above an impressive display of strawberries, shortbread cookies, homemade marshmallows, and pretzel rods dipped in caramel in the opposite corner.

  The saloon had a long bank of windows on all four sides, so we could see the monuments and the fireworks igniting against the night sky when the clock struck midnight. Still, I suspected we’d wander outside to watch the display.

  Rafael glanced at Kadyn. “The usual?”

  Kadyn nodded. He waved at Cenia and Roger.

  “Chianti?” Rafael asked, smiling at me.

  “Yes, please.” I kissed his cheek. “Brianna, I’d like you to meet our friends, Konstantin and Shae.”

  She shook their hands. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Kadyn hugged Shae. “How was your Christmas? Are you enjoying the time off?”

  She smiled. “Christmas was nice. Konstantin purchased a condo in Arlington, so we’ve been shopping for furniture and getting him settled into his new place.”

  Kadyn grasped Konstantin’s hand. “How are things at the embassy?”

  “A bit too civilized for my blood,” he admitted with a wry smile.

  Shae laughed. “You’ve only been working there for a couple of weeks. Give it time.”

  His eyes narrowed on my ring. “Does Maxim know that you’ve agreed to marry Rafael?”

  Kadyn stilled. His gaze grew intense as he awaited my response.

  I averted my eyes. “Maxim will be arriving with Oni on the tenth. I plan to inform him then.” My heart stalled when an ominous growl rolled through Konstantin’s chest. I backed into Rafael.

  Konstantin glared at Chance.

  He’d been admiring Shae from a few feet away. Chance’s gaze turned scathingly as his eyes slid toward Konstantin.

  Konstantin tensed.

  Kadyn edged between the two men.

  Rafael handed Brianna their drinks. “Excuse me.” He spoke discreetly with Chance.

  Chance tensed, but he steered Jessica toward the table where Jase was sitting with his date.

  Konstantin and Shae joined Sammi and Cory at a table on the opposite side of the room. Kadyn introduced Brianna to Cenia and Roger when Rafael returned.

  “Crisis averted.” Rafael retrieved our drinks from the bar and escorted me to our table. He draped my wrap on one of the chairs before leading me onto the dance floor. He waited for the song to end before retrieving the microphone from the band.

  The room quieted.

  Kadyn and Brianna settled in at our table.

  Rafael pulled me close. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming. We’re pleased to be celebrating our engagement and ringing in the New Year with friends both old and new. The staff will be serving dinner shortly. Please enjoy the music, the dance floor, and the bar. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. Until then, I’d like to offer a toast to my future bride.” He gazed down at me.

  My cheeks heated.

  Rafael’s eyes softened. “Every single one of you has come into my life because of her…”

  Shockingly, Rafael was right. He wouldn’t have opened his security firm, met my colleagues
, my friends, or Konstantin if he hadn’t moved to Virginia to be closer to me. I studied our friends. Aside from Sammi, Cory, and some of the guys’ dates, nearly every person in the room had fought to keep me safe. I’d endured so much violence, faced countless threats, and somehow acquired the kindest and most fiercely protective friends. I slowly released my breath.

  When my eyes met Rafael’s, I knew. We’d been led to believe we were celebrating New Year’s Eve, but that wasn’t Rafael’s intent. Rafael was gathering the troops, pulling everyone together so I’d remain safe while he was working in Portugal; and the vast majority of our guests didn’t even know we were about to be separated. Yet.

  Rafael nodded when my eyes lit with understanding. He raised his glass. “I just want to thank you for agreeing to marry me and for gifting me with so many remarkable friends.”

  Our friends tapped their glasses before we drank to Rafael’s toast. He handed the microphone to the lead vocalist. The band slid into the prelude for “Stand by Me.” Rafael set our glasses aside and led me to the center of the dance floor. He twirled me under his arm and pulled me close as he began to dance. Cenia, Roger, Shae, and Konstantin joined us midway through the song.

  Warm dinner rolls and crisp green salads were waiting for us when we returned to our table. Rafael waited until Brianna went to the lady’s room to draw Kadyn into the loop. He lowered his voice. “I’ve accepted a temporary assignment in Portugal. The police chief has pulled me back onto a case I was working before I met Kristine. They’re trying to nail some elitists involved in an international pedophile ring that’s been sexually abusing children from Lisbon’s largest orphanage.”

  Kadyn’s jaw clenched. “Preying on orphans? Why would anyone…” He stopped abruptly and looked at me. “Are you going?”

  I shook my head.

  “She’s going to stay here and finish her degree. The assignment is temporary. I should be back within six months,” Rafael explained.

  Kadyn set his Sprite aside. “Look, I admire your determination to nail these guys, but you can’t just leave Kri unprotected. The threat posed by the SVR is reason enough, but when Maxim gets wind of this…” His eyes slid toward Konstantin.