RAVIEL (FIFTEEN)

As soon as I arrived at the resort, I was greeted by two police officers outside my suite. Claire was with them, looking gloomy and mournful. Her eyes were glassy as she lifted her head and looked at me. I didn't see Charles or Dave around. Yeah, those two boys had to have a good reason why they weren't with Claire this afternoon.

“Raviel,” Claire called me. Her voice was hoarse and wet. She ran towards me before hugging me tightly and burying her head in my chest.

Shit

If the reason Claire shed tears was because of those two cops, I would not hesitate to destroy their careers.

“What’s wrong?”

My question was directed at the two cops. They were looking at me as if I was the criminal they were looking for. Well, I am. But they would never have proof of the crimes I had committed.

“Where have you been?”

“Didn’t I leave a message with the receptionist that I had urgent business in Las Vegas?”

“You shouldn’t have left Hawaii while the investigation into your wife’s death was still ongoing.”

“I can’t just sit here, while there are thousands of employees who depend on me to feed their families. Is it fair that I sacrifice the lives of thousands of people just for one person who is clearly dead?”

I sighed softly and looked down at Claire. She looked very devastated and sad.

“I apologize for not having time to tell you about my sudden business trip to Las Vegas. Is everything okay?”

Claire looked up at me and shook her head.

“I was rude to you that night. I can understand if you were angry and decided to leave without telling me.”

“The last thing I would do is get mad at you. You’re grieving your mother’s death. I understand that. I rushed back here after my business in Las Vegas was done,” I stroked the top of her head gently.

“Thank goodness, I’m relieved to hear that.”

Claire released her hug from me and took a step back. She looked at the police nervously.

“I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t know where Raviel had gone,” Claire told the officers.

One of them expressed regret.

“I’m sorry for pushing you so hard yesterday.”

“I tried calling you yesterday, your phone was off.”

“Yeah, I left my personal phone off because I was too busy dealing with some things in Las Vegas.”

I gestured for the police to sit on the sofa.

“So, how’s the investigation going? Have you found the perpetrator yet?”

“I’m sorry, sir. We haven’t managed to find the perpetrator yet, but we found an abandoned Honda car near the robbery scene. We checked it yesterday, and the tires on the car match the tire marks found near the robbery scene.”

“So the robber fled on foot, is that what you mean?”

“We haven’t been able to confirm whether the robber worked alone or if he had other accomplices who helped him escape. We are currently investigating the case.”

I sighed softly. It was a waste of time and a waste of energy. I wanted to advise them to stop, but that would only make them suspicious of me.

“And the autopsy results? Are you done with my wife’s body? I want to bring her back to LA as soon as possible for burial.”

“Yes, we are done with the autopsy. You can go to the hospital this afternoon to complete some paperwork.”

“Okay. I will arrange a flight back to LA tonight. I will leave the investigation to you. I will leave a number for you to call if you get any updates on the case.”

“We'll be sure to let you know if we find anything, but…”

I stared at them coldly. They thought they could intimidate me, huh?

No fucking way!

“Say it. You don’t have to hold back if you have something to say.”

“You look far from mourning and more like you don’t care about your wife’s death.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You just went to Las Vegas and you didn’t show any deep sorrow for your wife’s death. We’ll—”

“Sorry, your statements are completely irrelevant to this case. Just say it if you just want to corner me because of your failure in handling this case. I’m sure your department is under a lot of pressure right now. Especially the two of you. That’s why you’re trying to provoke me.”

Claire suddenly grabbed my clenched fist on my thigh. She looked at me with a sad look and shook her head slowly.

“Please, Rave. I don’t want a scene.”

I glared at the two cops.

“You’re lucky my stepdaughter stopped me from doing anything bad to you. You had better get out of here. Claire and I have a lot to do before my wife’s funeral.”

Fuck

I would have thrown them out right then and there if Claire hadn’t stopped me from being rough with them. They had no right to judge my emotional state. Those two idiot cops thought they were smart enough to accuse an ex-husband who didn’t seem to be grieving. That was absolutely ridiculous. I knew how law enforcement worked because my tentacles were everywhere, in every level of society. Low-level cops like them could never beat me. I was always ten step ahead.

“Are you okay?”

Claire touched my tense shoulder.

“I’m not okay. They were basically accusing me of not grieving your mother’s death.”

“Don’t listen to them. I know you’re grieving Mom’s death. But everyone has their own way of dealing with grief.”

“You must know exactly how I feel right now. I’m far from okay.”

Claire seemed to be holding something in her head. She suddenly looked nervous and rubbed his palms on her jeans repeatedly.

“Scream your thoughts to me, Claire.”

“I… I’ve been thinking about it while you were in Las Vegas. I don’t want you to feel burdened by my presence.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Claire took a deep breath before exhaling loudly.

“What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to feel obligated to take me in. Mom is gone, and there’s no longer a bond between us. You’re still young. I don’t want you to feel awkward around me when you want to date or marry the woman you love.”

“I don’t have anyone I want to marry.”

“Maybe you don’t have someone in your heart right now, but what about a few months from now? Or a year from now. I want you to move on with your life after Mom is gone. I want you to be happy with your own family.”

“You are my family.”

“I will move to an apartment near campus after the funeral. But don’t worry, we will still be connected. I will not cut off contact with you. You are still my family no matter what.”

“Come here.”

“What?”

“Come here.”

I stood up and stretched my arms. She seemed hesitant to come closer and snuggle into my arms.

“Listen to me carefully. You will not move out. I will never allow you to do that. You live with me, now and forever. Or at least until you have a more reasonable reason other than your mother’s death.”

But I assure you that you will never leave my life, Claire Osborn. Because you are mine. No man can touch you or have you except me. I will make you only look at me and depend on me.

“But I don’t want you to—”

“Shhh…. This is an order. No refusal.”

My palms rubbed her back gently before moving further down to touch the hollow above her curvy ass. I loved how the hollow fit perfectly in my palms. Only a few more inches before I could touch her firm ass cheeks, squeezing and kneading them. I wanted to feel her ass grinding against my cock again. Mine was throbbing hard, fully aroused. If only Claire pressed herself closer, she would feel my hardness straining against my jeans. And who knows what would happen next if she knew I wanted her? Maybe she would be excited. Or on the contrary, she might feel guilty for playing with fire with me—especially when her mother had just been shot dead.

“You have been so good to me all this time. I owe you so much.”

“Don’t ever feel like you owe me anything. Before I met your mother, my life was empty and lonely. I haven’t had a family since my parents died. You and your mother gave me something new in my life. I don’t want to lose my family again. You are my family, Claire.”

I smirked as Claire tightened her grip on my chest. Women were always weak to emotions. And my stepdaughter was too naive to refuse my request.

“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll never leave you, Rave. You’re the only family I have, and I love you.”

“I love you too, Claire.”

I meant it when I said I loved her. I just didn’t know how deep my love for my stepdaughter had gotten. But it was enough to keep me from killing her in cold blood.