Beautifully Broken (The Broken Series Book 2)

by Ruff, K. S.

  Cenia picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Kadyn. What’s up?”

  Kadyn walked to his dresser. He reached for the framed photograph of Cenia and Kri kissing a dolphin in the Bahamas. “Did you drive in today?”

  “Yes. I had a meeting scheduled for five o’clock, so I decided to drive rather than slug in. I’m just now pulling out of the Pentagon parking lot. Why?”

  Kadyn set the picture back on the dresser. “I could really use your help with something. Can you come by the apartment before you head home? Mason just baked a frozen pizza if you’re hungry.”

  Cenia laughed. “I’m happy to swing by, but I think I’ll pass on the Tombstone pizza. What do you need help with, Kadyn?”

  Kadyn sighed. “I’ll give you the details when you get here, but you should know this could take a while.”

  “Okay,” Cenia responded warily. “I’ll grab something to eat. Then I’ll head over.”

  “I’ll see you shortly,” Kadyn responded before ending the call.

  Cenia rang the doorbell a few minutes later. She handed Kadyn a bag from Five Guys when he answered the door. “You sounded stressed when we talked on the phone. I thought this might help.”

  He eyed the greasy pile of fries and two thick burgers wrapped in tinfoil. He suspected that one of them had been intended for Kri. “Thanks. Maybe later.”

  Cenia set her food on the coffee table as she sat on the couch. “Hey, Mason, how’s it going?”

  “Humph,” was his only reply. He stared at his laptop and refused to look at her.

  Cenia looked at Kadyn. “Where’s Kri? I thought she’d be here. She needs a good tongue lashing for not returning my phone calls.”

  Kadyn sank into the large gray chair that sat perpendicular to the couch.

  Cenia’s eyes flitted between Kadyn and Mason. “What? What did I say?”

  Mason exchanged looks with Kadyn. Finally, Kadyn spoke. “Kri’s been kidnapped again.”

  Cenia laughed awkwardly as if Kadyn had just told some awful joke. When Kadyn and Mason didn’t laugh, her expression grew fierce. “No. She can’t be.”

  Kadyn offered Cenia an apologetic look. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  Cenia stood abruptly. She continued to look from Kadyn to Mason. “You’re lying!” she screamed as her tears began to fall.

  Kadyn stood and reached for his friend. She shoved him in the chest as he tried to wrap his arms around her. “Stop! Don’t touch me. Take it back, Kadyn. Take it back!”

  Kadyn tightened his arms around Cenia. He held her firmly against his chest while she cried. He had been the one to introduce Kri and Cenia, shortly after he met Kri. The two women had become fast friends. As with Mason and Phil, Cenia had insisted on going to Trout Lake to help Kadyn rescue Kri. She had seen Kri’s bruises, the cracked rib, and haunted eyes filled with fear. Cenia helped her work through her nightmares and her fear of being alone in the months that followed. Every time Kadyn had to travel for work, Cenia stayed with Kri. She had poured everything into helping her friend heal.

  Kadyn’s jaw clenched. He had known Cenia would take this hard. “I should have called you sooner,” Kadyn whispered as he smoothed down her silky black hair.

  Cenia was still shaking when she pulled away. She swiped at her puffy eyes and took a deep breath as she drew on her military training. “Alright, Kadyn, tell me everything you know.”

  Chapter 9- Stay

  I woke to the rich aroma of coffee. Once again, Michael was nowhere to be seen. A tray of food and a carafe were sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch. I walked to the couch and poured a cup of coffee. I took a sip, then sank into the soft leather couch with a small sigh of contentment. I sat back up when I noticed a single white rose lying on the tray. I reached for the flower and brought it to my nose. White seemed like such an ordinary color, but the rose petals were delicately curled, and the fragrance was exquisite.

  I was halfway through my first cup of coffee when curiosity got the best of me. I peeked under the silver lid sitting on top of the tray. My eyes widened at the sight of strawberry and banana crepes, which were lightly dusted in powdered sugar. I couldn’t resist the decadent breakfast. I nearly moaned when I tasted the crepes. As I settled in to enjoy the food, I thought about how easily I could get used this. That thought was quickly followed by a pang of guilt. Was I seriously willing to forfeit my freedom for a really good cook?

  I thought about how different Michael’s lifestyle was from my own. I fought back tears as my mind drifted to Kadyn, Cenia, Lexie, and my parents… people I would never see or speak to again. No, I thought, if I had to choose between this lifestyle and being with them, I would easily choose them.

  I looked down at the crepes and saw only the cost at which they came. No longer hungry, I set the half eaten plate of food aside. I refilled my coffee cup and took it into the bathroom so I could shower before Michael returned to the room.

  By the time I was done showering, I had to admit that a luxury shower that pummeled your body from twelve different angles would be a bit more difficult to walk away from than the cook. If I was able to return home, I suspected I might miss the shower and the bathtub. I was still on the fence about the cook.

  I spent a good thirty minutes in the closet familiarizing myself with the wardrobe that Michael had purchased for me. I snooped in every drawer and felt every dress, skirt, and blouse. Michael had thought of everything…scarves, jewelry, hair accessories, lingerie, silk stockings, and swimming suits. Well, everything but pants. I couldn’t understand what the guy had against pants.

  I settled on a black wrap shirt and a white knee-length skirt, which was embroidered with large black flowers. I paired the outfit with strappy black heels. I poured myself another cup of coffee on the way back to the bathroom. I dusted a thin layer of makeup over my face and pulled my hair back with a silk barrette. I stepped back from the mirror and studied my reflection. The woman in the mirror looked polished and confident enough to negotiate her release. I nodded my approval. I was finally ready to negotiate with Michael.

  Rafael was standing outside the bedroom when I opened the door. “Bonjour, Madame Stone. How are you this morning?”

  I looked at him in surprise. I had forgotten about this little, well, not so little road block. I smoothed my hand over my skirt as I sought to regain my composure. “Bonjour, Rafael. I’m well, thank you. Do you know where I might find Michael?”

  “Yes. Monsieur Garcia said you would be looking for him. He was called away for a business meeting rather unexpectedly. He’s not expected back until late this afternoon. He asked me to offer his apologies. He won’t be able to take you for a tour of the city today, but he is still planning to take you to dinner this evening.”

  I tried not to laugh. I had finally worked up enough courage to try negotiating my release, and Michael was nowhere to be found. How was I supposed to negotiate with the guy when he wasn’t even around? And, why wasn’t he around? He was so intent on kidnapping me… and for what purpose? So he could have a dinner companion? I fidgeted nervously in front of Rafael, once again unsure about what to do.

  Rafael smiled. “Would you like to see the gardens out back?”

  My eyebrows shot up in surprise. He was offering to take me outside? Either Rafael didn’t think I’d try to escape or he was extremely confident in his ability to outrun me. I surveyed his long muscular physique, glanced down at my strappy black heels, and sighed. No way was I outrunning him in these shoes. Besides, I couldn’t just run off without risking some retaliation against Kadyn. Michael had my passport, and I didn’t have any money, so there really wasn’t any means to escape. Talking sense into Michael was my only real option. I’d have to wait for him to come home so I could convince him to release me without hurting anybody. I looked up at Rafael.

  He had an amused look on his face, as if he knew exactly what I’d been thinking. He raised a single eyebrow questioningly.

  I nodded. “Yes.
I would love to go outside and get some fresh air.”

  Rafael smiled a slow, easy smile. “I think the fresh air would do us both some good.” He turned and walked down the hallway. I began trailing behind him, but he turned around and waited for me to catch up. He shortened his stride so we were walking alongside one another as we made our way to the first floor.

  The French doors in the formal dining room led to a large stone patio. Rafael reached for my arm as we crossed the patio and walked down the stairs. He released me as soon as we reached the bottom.

  Smooth stepping stones formed a path that branched off in two different directions through the well-manicured gardens. Rafael nodded toward the path on the right. “Monsieur Garcia purchased this property shortly after he met you.”

  I glanced back at the house. “The house is beautiful. Do you know when it was originally built?”

  Rafael nodded. “This house was built in the early 1900s, but it’s been through a number of renovations as you can probably tell.”

  We passed by a cluster of small sculpted trees before entering a large rose garden. I knelt down to smell some coral roses that were just beginning to open. “The neighborhood seems nice.”

  Rafael smiled as he reached for my hand.

  I glanced at him uncertainly as I placed my hand in his.

  He gently pulled me to my feet. “The neighborhood is known as the Golden Triangle of the Yvelines. It’s a very exclusive neighborhood. A number of celebrities, heads of state, and CEOs live here.”

  I figured as much. Rafael and I resumed walking through the rose garden. We passed through another cluster of sculpted trees, which opened into a large expanse of wildflowers. I glanced around in confusion. “This is an entirely different garden.”

  Rafael chuckled softly. “Yes. There are four different gardens on the property. This is my favorite one.”

  I couldn’t hide my amusement. I hadn’t expected my bodyguard to have a favorite garden. I studied him in a sidelong glance. “There’s an amazing view of the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower from the front of the house. Are they within walking distance of here?”

  Rafael began walking backwards so he could face me. “Yes. We’re also within walking distance of the Champs Elysees, which is quite famous for its designer shops.”

  I stopped abruptly. “I smell lavender.”

  Rafael laughed. He had a warm, carefree laugh that made it difficult not to smile. “Monsieur Garcia said you liked lavender. It’s over here.” Rafael pointed to some long purple flowers just off to his left.

  I gently squeezed one of the flowers, then smelled the palm of my hand. I nodded. “That’s definitely lavender.”

  We followed the path through the wild flowers until we reached a stone arch that was wrapped in climbing roses and flanked by sculpted trees. Rafael ducked under the arch. “The cook and her granddaughter live in the guest house, which is located through here.” He pointed toward a stone carriage house as I joined him on the other side of the arch.

  I stood and admired the cottage. The trellises on either side of the windows were filled with the same climbing roses that wound around the stone archway. I couldn’t help but smile. “Now this house is a bit more my speed.”

  Rafael nodded. “It’s more my speed too.”

  We retraced our steps under the stone arch before walking through a small herb and vegetable garden. Rafael eventually showed me to a sitting area where four iron benches faced a marble fountain.

  I turned in a circle as I surveyed my surroundings. We appeared to be standing where the four gardens intersected. My eyes settled on the fountain, which held a nude sculpture of a man embracing a woman from behind as he leaned down to kiss her neck.

  Rafael gave me a curious look. He spoke softly as he pulled me from my silent contemplation. “When Monsieur Garcia purchased this sculpture, he said it reminded him of you.”

  “Of me?” I asked incredulously. I walked around the fountain and eyed the woman in the sculpture a bit more closely. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulder just opposite of where the man was kissing her on the neck.

  Rafael watched me walk around the fountain. “Yes. Nearly everything in the house was purchased with you in mind, with the exception of the books in the library and Monsieur Garcia’s office.”

  I sank into the nearest bench. I was speechless. How could Michael put so much effort and money into pleasing some passing fancy? I stared at the two lovers in the sculpture. Was I a passing fancy… an obsession… a muse? Or did Michael see me as something more? The man claimed to be in love with me, he had purchased this home to share with me, and he had proposed...

  Rafael sat on the bench to my left. He reclined against the back of the bench and appeared to be soaking in the sun as he left me to my thoughts.

  I shook my head. We had only been on four dates. Four. His feelings had to be superficial. Surely, he was confusing physical attraction with love. I raked my hand through my hair. If only I wasn’t so attracted to Michael. This whole thing would be so much easier to handle, so much easier to understand.

  I was still trying to process everything when Rafael and I resumed walking. We walked through a tropical flower garden before returning to the patio. I barely noticed the flowers. I was too lost in my thoughts to really appreciate the fourth and final garden.

  Rafael reached for my arm as we walked up the patio stairs. “What would you like to do next?”

  I briefly considered my options. I was no longer confident in my ability to negotiate with Michael. The efforts he’d made to forge a life with me made it unlikely that he would release me any time soon. I looked up at Rafael as he opened the door. “I would like to go to the library to see if I can find a book that will help me learn to speak French. I would like to be able to converse with the staff, and I don’t want to have to rely on Michael to translate everything.”

  Rafael walked me to the library. He quickly pulled a number of books from the shelves. “These should do the trick.”

  I eyed the books in his arms. “Thanks, Rafael. Can I take these books to the pool?”

  Rafael nodded. “Of course. I’ll have your lunch delivered to the pool and escort you down. Do you want to stop by your room to change into a swimming suit before we head downstairs?”

  I smiled. “That sounds great. Thanks.”

  Rafael carried the books as we walked back to my room. “I’ll wait here,” he said, stopping just outside the door.

  I ducked inside the closet and changed into a two piece swimming suit that looked like black short-shorts and a black and white halter top. I couldn’t find a cover-up, so I slipped a thin cotton dress over the top.

  By the time we made it down to the pool, the cook had already delivered two trays of food. A waterfall beckoned and birds called softly through the overhead speakers. Recessed sun lamps were glowing and warming the room.

  Rafael set the books on top of the table, alongside one of the trays. He reached for the bottle of sparkling water and cracked the seal before setting it back on the table. He removed the cover from the tray and examined the food. “Bon appétit,” he said cheerily as he walked away.

  “Bon appétit,” I responded as I watched him cross the room. Were bodyguards supposed to examine food? I studied the food. The cook had prepared a mixed salad, sliced meats and cheeses, a baguette, and an apple tart. How would Rafael know whether someone tampered with the food by merely looking at it? I shook my head.

  Rafael settled into a chair next to the other tray, which was sitting on a table near the door. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. His thumbs flew over the screen as he began typing something out.

  I tried to ignore the fact that he was there. I reached for the book on French culture and customs and settled into the nearest lawn chair. I began eating when I switched over to a book that translated common French phrases into English. The process was a bit backwards for me, since I was trying to learn French and not English, but I made it work.

&n
bsp; I was only halfway through the lunch when I found I could no longer resist the pull of the water. I set the book aside, slipped the sun dress off, and walked to the edge of the pool.

  Rafael stood the second I approached the water.

  I smiled. Apparently, he was unsure of my ability to swim. I dove into the warm water and immediately began swimming laps. Rafael relaxed back into his chair, so I continued swimming laps until my arms burned. I pushed off the side of the pool and turned onto my back. My backstroke was lazy and slow. I closed my eyes and relaxed into the warm water. I was completely exhausted by the time I forced myself from the pool.

  Rafael met me at the side of the pool with a large white towel.

  I tried not to drip on his shoes. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome,” he responded. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but he abruptly walked away. He looked a little unsettled when he reclaimed his chair.

  I dried off before stretching out in my chair. I opened a book with every intention of reading, but I fell asleep instead.

  “Your skin will burn under this light, mon coeur,” Michael whispered as he softly kissed my cheek.

  I peered up at Michael. He was kneeling next to the chair. “It’s so warm,” I murmured sleepily.

  He stood and reached for my hand.

  I placed my hand in his as my feet sought the floor.

  Michael hooked his arm around my back as he pulled me from the chair. He released my hand and trailed his fingers down the low cut halter top. “This looks amazing on you.”

  My pulse quickened as he pulled me against his chest. “Thanks,” I responded breathlessly.

  He nuzzled my neck, then whispered seductively in my ear. “We best get you dressed, unless of course you’d like to skip dinner…” His hand brushed brazenly over my breast, then slid down my side before settling on my hip.

  I opened my mouth to object, but his lips met mine in a provocative kiss. I gently pulled away. His eyes heated, so I tried to keep things light. “Okay, Okay! You don’t have to maul me. I’ll get dressed!”