The Foiled Plan (War of Sins Book 2)

‘The perimeter is secure,’ I hear someone tell my brother. ‘We have eyes and ears on every side of the building.’

‘Good. Make sure everyone is on standby,’ he says, dismissing the man with a pat on the back.

I’d had to come earlier to familiarize myself with the building and all exit routes. Raf had insisted on having every base covered. Everyone had volunteered some of their best men to pretend to be part of the audience today, and while no one recognizable would be in the main stage area, they would be monitoring the situation closely.

They’d apprised me of everything, and the plan looks solid—in theory. In practice, nothing is certain. Which is why Raf’s been a little unbearable today, coming to check on me every five seconds, asking me to reconsider doing this.

I understand his stance, and it warms my heart to know he is worried about me. But if I can help him fulfill his goal of getting revenge on his brother, then I will do it. I want nothing more than to see him happy, and I know that once Michele is a thing of the past, we’ll be able to focus more on our lives. We’ll certainly be able to breathe more relieved knowing we won’t have to hide, or go out with a hundred guards every single time.

Looking down at my schedule, I read the times once more to make sure I have everything memorized. Although I will be the main act of the evening, there are still a couple pianists before me.

‘Are you nervous?’ Cisco asks as he reaches my side.

I’ve been huddled inside the backstage area for hours now, going over my music sheets and trying to put a stop to my growing anxiety.

‘A little,’ I give him a strained smile. ‘But I know everyone is monitoring the situation, so I’m not worried about being in danger.’

I’d gotten to know Raf’s acquaintances, and I’ve been made aware of some of their infamous reputations in the underground world. That alone had put me more at ease.

If I’m honest, it’s not Michele’s appearance that has me on a bed of nails. Rather, it’s the fact that I have to perform for an audience—and not just anything, but my own compositions.

Playing someone else’s pieces is completely different than playing my own. Although with the former I do add my own spin to the performance, for the latter it feels like I’m baring my soul to the world. It’s even more embarrassing considering that every piece I’m playing tonight is about one person—my husband.

It’s unavoidable when he’s awakened within me so many emotions—from hate, to anger, to passion, to love, he’s given me the full spectrum. And for the first time in years, I found myself, pen in hand, scribbling down notes and musical arrangements.

The inspiration had taken me by surprise, and sometimes I would spend hours blocked on a piece, toiling on it until it was perfect.

He’s made me cry, and he’s made me laugh. More than anything, he’s made me want to live. And I’ve channeled that joie de vivre into my work as I’d filled my repertoire with more upbeat pieces than morose ones—a first for me.

My notes no longer depicted a carnival of death, but a celebration of life.

Our life.

‘Don’t be. Raf won’t let anything happen to you,’ Cisco says, pausing for a moment as an odd expression crosses his face. But just as it appears, it’s gone, and he’s quick to head to the exit.

‘Cisco,’ I call out, rising from my chair.

He stops, turning so only his profile is visible.

‘Why?’ I ask the question, calmly for the first time.

Because as I’d reflected more on our relationship, I’d realized I couldn’t remember the last conversation we’d had that hadn’t ended in an argument—usually with me throwing a tantrum.

‘Why?’ He raises a brow, leaning against the door as he regards me.

‘Why did you agree to my marriage to Raf?’

It’s a question I’ve asked myself multiple times but one that I haven’t been able to answer. While he may have a personal vendetta against Michele now, that wasn’t the case before, when he’d encouraged Raf to marry me.

‘Why indeed,’ his lips spread in a wide smile—genuine, or not, I’m not sure. Just like I can never be sure of anything my brother says or does.

‘Have you seen how the man looks at you?’ He takes a few steps towards me.

I blink, confused by what he means. When we’d first gotten married, Raf’s feelings for me had been decidedly not positive.

‘Contrary to what you may think of me, Noelle, I do care about you. And I am sorry for what happened with Sergio,’ his lips stretch in a thin line, his gaze distant.

‘But Raf…’ I shake my head. ‘He hated me.’

‘He hated what he thought he knew of you,’ he corrects. ‘But he never really hated you, did he?’ His hands come to rest on my shoulders, spinning my chair and turning it towards the mirror on the wall.

Raising my gaze to the reflation, I note the striking similarities between us—proof of our shared heritage. But I also see a world of difference.

‘I pride myself on being a good reader of people,’ he continues, gazing into the mirror. ‘And your marriage wasn’t to punish you. It was to reward you.’

‘Reward me?’ I frown, almost scandalized at his condescending tone.

‘The first time he saw you, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. And it wasn’t in a I want to kill this woman type of way, though I’m sure he convinced himself of that,’ he chuckles. ‘It was in an I can’t bear the thought of not touching this woman type of way. Trust me, I know that look. Yuyu can attest to it.’

‘So you thought he wanted me?’ I scoff.

‘No, Noelle. I didn’t think he merely wanted you. I knew he’d give his right hand to have you, and I was right,’ he smirks. ‘Raf is a good man. He’s a much better man than I’ll ever be, and I know he will make you happy.’

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, he leans forward to lay a kiss on my forehead.

‘After this is over, I won’t interfere again in your life,’ he promises. And with that he’s gone. He doesn’t linger for an answer—does he, ever? He just dictated what’s going to happen.

I’m left staring in the mirror at my own reflection and mulling over his words.

In his mind, he must have convinced himself that because Raf and I have feelings for each other he’s done the right thing in matching us up. But he doesn’t realize the core of the issue—he might be too self-centered to ever get that.

It had all started from a hunch. A gamble.

He gave me away—again—on the off chance that Raf might desire me.

A dry laugh escapes me as I realize that no matter how good my brother’s intentions may seem, they’re always mercenary. It’s just that he’s convinced himself that they aren’t—or has he, really?

Throwing the rather unpleasant meeting out of my mind, I take off my robe, putting on the black dress I’d chosen for today’s event. I’ll need to reserve some time to add wires and other devices the guys had decided on.

Just as I’m about to put up my garter, a knock on the door startles me. I don’t get to respond, though, as the door opens and Raf strides in.

He’s dressed casually—or as casual as I’ve come to expect from him. A pair of black khakis and a black shirt, he looks sleek and entirely too handsome.

‘One more hour,’ he says as he comes behind me, his mouth on my naked shoulder. Parting his lips over my skin, he lays small kisses, making his way up my neck until he reaches my cheek.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ he breathes in my ear. ‘So delectable I’d like nothing better than to eat you,’ he groans.

‘You’re getting ahead of yourself,’ I chuckle.

‘Already counting down the minutes until everything will be over. Then I’ll have you…’ he trails off suggestively.

My cheeks redden at the innuendo, images of us naked and in bed already flooding my brain—and other parts of me.

His arms come around me as he stoops down, laying his head on my shoulder.

‘Promise me you’ll be careful,’ he says in a serious tone.

‘You know I will be. I won’t deviate from the plan and ruin things.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ his hands tighten over my body. ‘I don’t give a shit about the plan as long as you’re safe. I told you, and I will continue to tell you. I don’t care if the plan is successful as long as nothing happens to you.’

‘Raf…’

‘Please,’ his anguished tone startles me. ‘Promise me you won’t do anything to put yourself in danger. That you won’t act outside what we planned. Not even if you see me in danger.’

‘What are you talking about,’ I push him off me, suddenly turning. ‘Why would you be in danger?’

‘Just promise me,’ he continues, not answering my question.

‘Raf, I don’t think you understand something,’ I cup his jaw. ‘I could never leave you like that. You think you’re the only one worried? I couldn’t live if anything happened to you,’ I tell him sincerely.

At this point, I’m too far gone. I’ve tasted happiness, and I’ve tasted love. How could I ever turn my back to those two things when they are the only things keeping me alive?

‘Fuck, Noelle,’ he rasps. ‘You don’t understand what you mean to me, pretty girl,’ he starts and my insides turn to mush. For as long as I live, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of him calling me that or telling me how much he cares about me. ‘You’re my heart. Do you think I could live without my heart?’

‘Then we’re at an impasse,’ I raise a brow.

‘We’re not. Because it’s my duty to take care of you and to protect you. You come first.’

He’s breathing harshly, his eyes fixed on me.

Out of nowhere he’s on me, backing me against the vanity table, one hand on my nape, the other on my leg.

‘This is the one thing I’m not willing to make allowances about, Noelle,’ his mouth brushes against my earlobe, his hold on me tightening. ‘I need you safe and well,’ he says as his hand moves further up my thigh, taking my dress with it and raising it over my hip.

‘Raf,’ my breath hitches when I realize what he’s doing.

‘I used to have nightmares about my time in captivity.’ His raw voice sends a shiver down my back, the emotion I find in it making me reel. ‘I used to dream of being held down by Armand, of having my free will stripped from me,’ he continues, right as he slips his fingers under the band of my panties, tugging them down. ‘But now, my true nightmare is having you taken from me, pretty girl.’

His words make me draw back, searching for his eyes.

We’ve talked about our past and our trauma, but Armand has always been a sore subject for him. I’ve never pushed for more information than he’s been willing to give me. But to hear that comparison when I know how hard it must have been for him? For this strong and proud man to find himself at the mercy of another yet unable to fight back…

That’s what I love about him—the hints of vulnerability that peek through his carefully built façade. He exudes raw masculinity, his domineering presence making me want to relinquish all control and let him own me.

But there’s another side of him—the soft, vulnerable one. The one he doesn’t share with the world, yet I’ve had the privilege of witnessing.

How he can be the most manly man I’ve ever met but also the sweetest one is beside me. I may have initially been drawn to him by sheer physical attraction but it was the hints of his beautiful soul that have touched me deep within. The fact that we’re so alike, yet so different in a way that makes me strive to become more.

He’s been through hell—through things that no one should ever go through. Yet instead of wallowing in self-pity, he challenged himself and grew stronger. He’s the opposite of me, and that only makes me want to do better—to attempt to be like him and move forward not because of my past, but in spite of it.

He once told me my music touched his soul. But it was the reverse. His words have been the music my soul has been searching for. The guided melody drawing me back to safety, beckoning me and helping me moor myself into one place.

His gorgeous blue eyes sparkle as he gazes at me, so much emotion hidden in those depths. And as I bring my hand to cup his cheek, it’s to wish I could immortalize this moment—the way he makes me feel like I’m the only thing that matters for him.

So lost I am in his gaze, I barely realize as my panties slide down my ankles, or the fact that my dress is bunched up around my hips, his hand already between my legs. But as brushes his finger against my clit, my lips part on a silent moan.

‘You’re my little piece of heaven, Noelle. And I won’t let anyone take you from me. If I have to take on the fucking world,’ he pauses, taking a deep breath, almost as if seeking to calm himself. ‘I’ll do it. I’ll fucking do it.’

He slides his finger between my folds, my arousal immediately coating his digit.

‘How are you so good to me?’ I barely manage to ask as he lifts me on the table, his hand exploring my pussy before pushing two thick fingers inside me. There are calluses on his hands from the hard labor he’d been subjected to, but those harsh ridges only serve to tantalize me further as he strokes my flesh.

Stabilizing myself against him, I keep my hands to his shoulders, never once taking my eyes off him. He starts working his fingers in and out of me, the friction so deliciously addicting, I don’t know how I’ll keep myself from screaming out.

‘That’s it,’ he murmurs, coming closer as his thumb presses against my clit, circling it and making me buck in his arms. ‘Give me everything you have, pretty girl. I want your moans, your cries, your screams,’ his teeth scrape against the side of my face. ‘Everything.’

Skimming his lips over my jaw, he suddenly brushes them against my mouth in a slow seduction.

‘Please,’ the word falls out of my mouth as I bring myself forward, grinding on his fingers and seeking my release.

‘Fuck,’ he curses. ‘You’re so wet and ready for me.’

His voice alone would be enough to make me climax, that rough, deep rumble sending electric sparks to my clit even when he’s not touching it.

‘Yes,’ I gasp when I feel his fingers hitting a spot deep within me before retreating and surging again. ‘Always.’

‘You’re mine,’ he says as he brings his teeth over my lower lip, biting on it before swiping his tongue into my mouth.

‘Only mine, pretty girl,’ he groans. ‘Only ever mine.’

‘Only yours. Only ever yours,’ I repeat, those words the ultimate truth. I couldn’t imagine belonging to someone else—not when his embrace feels so right. Like two pieces torn from a whole, we just fit.

His mouth is on mine, his lips parted, his tongue seeking entrance. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I bring him closer, the multitude of sensations wreaking havoc on my body. He keeps pumping his fingers into me, his mouth devouring me with such ferocity, it’s not long before low tremors erupt all over my body, my pussy clamping down on his fingers with the power of my release.

‘Give it to me,’ he rasps against my mouth. ‘Give me your pleasure, Noelle,’ he demands, not letting me catch my breath before wringing another orgasm from me. ‘Give me everything.’

I’m a trembling mess as he leans back, my lids heavy, my breath out of control.

His hands are on his belt, and with an urgency that’s uncharacteristic of him, he rips through his zipper as he takes his cock out, the daunting length slapping against my inner thigh. Before I know it, he has me turned around, my ass to him, my hands braced on the counter. The euphoric haze slowly dispels, and I feel him there—hard, long and throbbing.

‘I won’t fuck you,’ he tells me when he hears my sudden intake of breath. ‘Not now. But I need you, pretty girl. I need to know you’re mine. That you’re here, that… Fuck,’ he mutters as he takes hold of my hips, sliding his cock between my legs.

I give a low whimper when I feel the head right at my opening.

‘Shh,’ he whispers in my hair, bringing me closer to him. ‘I need your heat. Your arousal. I need you to drench my cock in your cum, so I can carry you with me just like you’ll carry me with you.’

He starts moving, thrusting not inside me, but against me. His shaft slides against my pussy lips, the head bumping against my clit and eliciting a moan from me.

‘Right there,’ his voice is tense, as if he’s barely in control.

And I realize why too, because just as he pushes forward, the head bumps against my entrance, stilling for a moment before moving past it.

He’s trying to control himself to not fuck me, even if it kills him.

‘Raf,’ I bring my hand behind, cupping the base of his shaft and squeezing. He continues to thrust his hips against me, his movements wild and uncoordinated. ‘You’re killing me,’ I breathe out, the temptation to get him inside of me too much.

‘Goddamn it, Noelle,’ he growls as his palm spreads over my breast, kneading the flesh and making me whimper as he pinches my nipples through my dress.

My entire body is a jumbled mess of sensations, but it’s the feel of him there that threatens to undo me. He’s hard yet soft, the warmth from his skin seeping into mine, and God, I wish for nothing more than to feel him slide inside of me, stretching me and fucking me into oblivion.

‘I can feel your greedy pussy begging for my cock, Noelle,’ he purrs in my ear. ‘I can feel your tight little hole spasming. Tell me, do you feel empty?’

I give a jerky nod, unable to form the words.

‘Do you want to be filled? Have my cum so deep in your pussy you won’t ever be rid of me? Do you want that?’

‘Yes, please,’ I cry out when I feel his cock at my entrance, rolling my hips in an attempt to draw him inside.

‘Just the tip,’ he says on a groan. ‘Just the fucking tip, pretty girl. Enough so I can come inside of you. Will you let me do that?’

‘Please,’ I’m close to pleading with him, the allure of the unknown too much to bear.

Holding my hips with one hand, he aligns his cock to my entrance. The thick head is suddenly there, pushing forward. There’s a slight burning sensation as he makes it past my ring of muscles.

But then he stops.

‘Damn it all to hell, Noelle. Fuck!’ He groans, his body wound so tight, the tension is radiating from him. ‘I swear to God this is the tightest place I’ve ever been. My God,’ he breathes out, his chest falling and rising.

‘No,’ he grits out when I try to wiggle. ‘Don’t move. Don’t you dare move, or I’m going to forget about everything and fuck you until you can’t walk anymore.’

‘Is that a threat?’ I ask softly, the feel of him inside of me unparalleled. Still, it’s not enough. I want more—I want everything.

‘It is a fucking threat. And I’m going to spank that little ass of yours if you don’t stop. Jesus Christ, this is pure torture,’ he brings his forehead to my nape. ‘It’s the best and worst idea I’ve ever had,’ he chuckles.

There’s the tiniest bit of movement as he brings his fist over his length, moving it up and down until his cock jerks inside of me, hot liquid filling me.

For the longest time, he doesn’t let go. Bent over me, he keeps me in place, his cheek on my back as he tries to regain his breath.

‘You’re wrecking me,’ he shakes his head, slowly pulling away.

His cock slips out of me, the sudden emptiness hitting me hard.

Still, I feel his cum inside, pooling low and slowly dripping out of me.

‘Let me see,’ he says harshly, turning me to face him, and maneuvering me until I’m bared on the table for him.

His hands are on my pussy, spreading my lips as he studies me.

A blush envelops me at the perusal, but any feeling of embarrassment I might have felt is soon gone as I note his entranced look, and the way he can’t seem to wrench his eyes from me.

‘You’re such a good girl, Noelle,’ he praises, one finger dipping inside of me as he pushes his seed back inside. ‘The very best,’ he continues, his eyes almost black from the size of his expanded pupils.

‘Goddamn it,’ he swears, shaking his head. ‘Look how my cum is feeding your pretty pussy,’ he says reverently, splaying the sticky substance around my pussy. ‘This is how I want you. Marked. Stained. Owned.‘

Swirling our mixed juices around one finger, he brings it up to me, pushing it between my parted lips and making me taste us.

I suck it in my mouth, and he releases a ragged breath, his eyes on my lips. As he takes his finger out of my mouth, he brings it to his own lips, licking it clean.

‘You’re mine, pretty girl. And that means I take care of you. I make sure you’re clothed, fed and fucked. I keep you safe, is that clear?’

I can’t help but nod, especially as his tone is completely different from before, the lust almost gone from his voice, replaced with a frightening severity.

‘That also means you never put yourself in danger for me. I only accepted this because you’ll have minimal contact with what happens once Michele arrives. But that doesn’t mean you can jump in the crossfire for me.’

‘But…’

‘No buts,’ he says, his palm making contact with the side of my ass and making me yelp in surprise. ‘I told you I’d spank you until you saw reason,’ he smirks. ‘You do everything according to the plan and we won’t have an issue.’

‘If I don’t…?’ I don’t know what prompts me to ask the question, especially as I see how tense he is.

‘If you don’t, I’ll make your ass red, and after that I’ll fuck you so hard you won’t ever think to disobey me.’

I flutter my lashes rapidly.

Does he think that sounds unappealing? Because to my ears, that sounds like heaven.

‘I can see where your mind is taking you,’ his mouth tugs up. ‘But trust me, pretty girl, I’ll keep you forever chained to my bed until you learn to listen.’

Taking a step back, he puts himself back together, giving me a wicked grin.

Jumping off the table, it’s to feel more cum slip out of me. Looking around, I grab a napkin to clean myself.

But just as I’m about to wipe the inside of my thigh, his hand is on my wrist, stopping me.

‘This stays in,’ he says in a commanding tone, swiping the small trickle and pushing it back inside me. ‘Think of me while you play,’ he kisses my cheek before leaving me to put myself together.

The show doesn’t start in another hour, so I have time to redo my makeup and to ensure everything is in order. I also douse myself in perfume, because no matter what Raf says, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to smell of sex as I go on the stage.

Fifteen minutes before I’m supposed to start, Raf comes by once more, assessing me from head to toe while ensuring my wires work.

‘This is just a last recourse thing.’ He assures me as he stuffs the tiny microphone in my bra. ‘I need to know you’re ok at all times.’

He goes on to tell me that he’ll be on the sidelines, with men on standby at every emergency exit. Whatever happens, Michele will be cornered once he makes it inside the room.

When the last guest pianist is done, my turn is up.

‘You’re going to be amazing,’ Raf tells me, ushering me on stage and giving me an air kiss.

My husband’s words work wonders on making my confidence soar. He has a way of always complimenting and praising me, showing me I am capable of excelling. And he’s been saying the words to me so often, I’ve slowly started to believe them.

My resolve fortifies as I know he will be listening, so I straighten my back and walk on the stage.

The audience claps when I make my entrance, but as I scan the crowd I don’t notice Michele anywhere. Thinking he might show up later, I simply take my seat, running my fingers over the keys and getting into a comfortable position.

Since I am performing from memory, I have no page turner by my side—a huge relief if I’m being honest.

I’m already sweating just thinking about baring such an intimate part of myself to the entire world, but at least since there’s a distance between stage and audience, I’ll be able to put a mental distance too.

After all, I’m playing just for one person today.

My lips pull in a smile as my determination soars. I shift my focus to the piano instead of the audience, thrusting even the idea of Michele out of my mind, knowing that Raf and the others have it under control.

Instead, I bring my attention to my keys, my fingers settling on the white surface as the first note permeates the air.

Closing my eyes, I let myself be led by the music, forgetting to even breathe as I fall deeper and deeper into a hole of my own making—my own abyss.

Chronologically, every piece signifies an encounter with Raf, each note the sonorous manifestation of my feelings.

And it’s only fitting that the first piece’s central theme is confusing attraction. Just like that night when I’d been playing the piano and he had intruded into my space and the confusion he’d wrecked on my mind. More than anything, it’s the nascent attraction that I’d felt for him despite the thick fog that had suffused my mind.

The intensity only grows, each act propelling me deeper into our history and our exchanges.

The music pours from my fingers, and for a moment I forget I am. Because like this, I’m only music, nothing else.

It takes someone gently shaking me to realize that the intermission is here and that I’ve already finished the first part of the concert.

On shaky legs, I release a deep breath, almost as if I’d run a marathon.

‘Pretty girl,’ I hear the sound in my earpiece, the voice reverent and breathy. ‘That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard,’ Raf tells me, and I can’t help but blush at his words.

I had hoped he would like it, since it’s all for him.

‘Michele’s still not here, and I don’t know if he will come. But we’ll continue as planned. You did so well,’ he can’t stop praising me.

‘I’ll go freshen up for my break, and then I have another surprise for you,’ I tell him cheekily.

I’d only covered the first half of our tumultuous acquaintance—the half that had been filled with hate, fights and mistrust. I still have to reach the good one—the half that shows just how deep my feelings for him run.

The break is only fifteen minutes, but it’s enough to relax a little and plan for the next pieces. I also have a new outfit planned that I can’t wait to change into.

Opening the door to the backstage room, I step inside, my hands immediately going to my zipper to slide it down.

But as I turn on the light, it’s to come face to face with him.

‘Well, hullo there,’ he winks, as he twirls on my revolving seat. He has a manic smile on his face, his eyes such an odd color it’s like they’re transparent.