The Aftermath

Rafe tenderly carried Delia through the corridors of his mansion. As he reached his bedroom on the third floor, he carefully laid her down on his bed and covered her with a blanket.

“It's over now, Delia," he murmured softly, his voice a soothing balm in the darkness. He didn’t think she had seen anything but wasn’t sure how much she may have heard during the chaos. Climbing into bed beside her, Rafe wrapped his arms around Delia, pulling her close to his chest.

He held her tightly, offering her warmth and reassurance as she shed silent tears, her emotions raw and unguarded in the quiet of the night.

Safe in Rafe’s embrace, Delia finally succumbed to sleep. As Rafe pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, he found solace in the simple act of holding her close, knowing that he would do whatever it took to protect her from harm.

Rafe lay awake beside Delia as his mind churned with questions and doubts. The sudden attack by the rogue pirates on the villa seemed too calculated t