Married To A Duke

Miss Me?

Raphael

Soft, almost inaudible whimpers escaped from her parted lips and I couldn’t help but feel helpless as I watched her body twitch with discomfort on the bed. I gave in to the urge that had gripped me since I laid her down and softly swiped her hair back from her damp forehead. Her eyes flickered before she gave a soft sigh, her face slightly turning into my touch. 

She was unusually pale. Her dirty brown hair were in a tangled mess. There was a bluish bruise on her left cheek and her bottom lip was cut and swollen. I wanted to wake her up just to ask who did this to her and then I’ll make them pay, which was strange. Because unlike my twin brother, I preferred methods that would keep my hands clean, no stains of blood, but which will ensure that my enemy gets destroyed no matter what.

Her head moved a little and she almost rubbed her cheek against my palm like an injured kitten seeking a shelter. My eyes dropped to her arm and at the makeshift bandage. I clenched my jaw as I took in the fingerprints on her arm and red marks, almost like someone…

The bedroom door opened but I didn’t look away, already knowing it’d be Jesse coming with first-aid kit. “Here.” I took the box from him, ignoring the not so subtle hint that he didn’t like that I was doing all this for some stranger. But if Zurich was right then she wasn’t a stranger anymore. And after all, she had come here seeking help.

I started with her arm. It had stopped bleeding at some point but it looked worse as I untied the piece of cloth she had used to stop the bleeding. “A bullet burn.” I murmured as the wound came into view.

“It wasn’t meant to kill.” When I looked at Jesse, he explained, “The person was too close to have missed it.” He held out his hand. “Let me take that.”

“Why would someone want to hurt her?” It was rhetorical, my question, mostly to myself.

But Jesse answered, “Unlike you, there are people who assort to hûrting others for their gain, your grace.”

I looked at him. “What did I tell you?”

“But there is no one here. And the lady is unconscious.”

“Hmm.” I turned to the said lady. Taking a handful of cotton I poured antiseptic solution on it as I started to clean her arm of all the blood and her wound. Her hand shifted slightly probably from the burn but she remained lost from the reality. “Turn around, Jesse.” 

There was a beat of silence but I didn’t look up to meet his silence that was filled with disappointment, Jesse didn’t like even a bit what I was about but he wouldn’t voice it. It was against everything he stands for. That is to serve me. I heard him shifting and then I stood up and carefully turned her to the side. 

“Hell’s bells…” The curse left my mouth without meaning to as I took in the sight of her back that was visible. “Don’t look.” I said, my voice a low command to my ever present guard as I carefully slipped the straps of her dress down her shoulder to get a better look at her injured back. I couldn’t believe my eyes that someone would hurt this woman, or any woman for that matter like this. Her back was flayed open in places and covered with red stripes. 

There was a knock on the door pulling me away from the awful view, I turned to Jesse and said, “Let the doctor in and no one else. You can also wait outside.” He gave me a respectful nod, not looking at the bed, as he left.

.

“There might be some fever for which I have written the medicines.” The doctor was saying.

I looked away from her prone figure and asked, “Why isn't she awake?”

The doctor’s brows lowered, the expression he had given earlier when he had seen the extent of my unannounced guest returning to his face. “She had had enough, mostly her mind has shut off and the injection I gave her for the pain will keep her asleep for sometime.” He looked at me and said, “Make sure to feed her in short intervals, she needs the fluids and sustenance. Her blood sugar level is too low, not to mention she had lost considerable amount of blood.”

“Thank you for coming in such a short notice, Doctor.” I said.

“Not at all, Mr Wolfe. Call me if you need any further help.” I gave him a nod and walked him to the door. 

“Jesse, escort the doctor downstairs and bring me everything on the list he has written.” 

Amelie

It was strange, my dream. I dreamed of blue eyes and thick accented voice that soothed not only my restless mind but also my injured and feverish body. Every cell in my body seemed to be burning and I couldn't even muster enough energy to push the heavy blanket that seemed to be smothering me. The only thing that helped me calm down was a soothing murmur and soft touch to my forehead.

I turned sideways, seeking that cool touch that had just trailed down my cheek. Someone was trying to wake me up and I wanted to scream at that person to let me be, I was fine seeing those calm blue eyes in my dreams. But they wouldn't allow me. “Come on, just a sip…” I heard someone say, the voice like cool silk, making me shiver. My body was in confusion, it didn't know if it was cold or hot. Something warm touched my lips and a prompting voice, cajoled me again, “Here, open your mouth…” I obeyed and drank the warm, salty liquid. It tasted salty and slightly bitter, but I liked the voice and I drank more until I couldn’t as once again darkness pulled me under its blanket.

Raphael

“Don't worry, Mr Wolfe, she's alright. As I explained on the phone, she's just resting. She probably doesn't want to face the world yet. She's perfectly fine and even her fever isn’t as high as it was before.” The doctor explained the same thing he had this morning on the phone but now it has came to be almost twenty four hours and she hadn't woken up yet. I had dismissed the idea of admitting her to the hospital because I knew the doctor had only suggested it because I was ‘overly concerned' as Jesse put it.

Now I looked at her, she was lying on her side. Her back was covered from the blanket I had pulled over her after doing the dressing on her back. For some reason I didn't like how vulnerable she was and that anyone would see her like this. I knew she’d hate that I had done something so intimate while she had been unconscious, that too when she thought of me as her best friend’s husband. But I didn't like the idea of someone else doing it, not even the doctor. 

I gave an absent nod to the doctor and waved my hand, belatedly realising that gesture was the one I used with my staff in London. But I guess like Jesse I still had some manners that I haven't gotten rid off. In my defence it had only been a few days since I exchanged places and identities with my twin brother who had ruled this city until now as a King to New Orleans.

As if he could hear my thoughts my phone rang in my pocket and I fished it out to see his name flashing on the screen. “Miss me?” I asked in a way of greeting.

“More like wondering if you’ve already blown our cover.” Gabriel drawled from the other side. 

“It’s almost four o’clock there, what the hell are you doing up so early in the morning?” I questioned as I walked to the high backed chair, Jesse had towed inside the room for me to sit comfortably when he saw that I wasn’t leaving.

“You don't want to know.” I shook my head at the hidden meaning behind his words.

“I am glad you have all the time in the world to do what keeps you awake into the morning.”

“Thanks to you, little brother.” I heard some rustling and then a door closing in the other end. “I couldn't help but think if everything is okay there.” He said a thread of concern in his voice.

“You might’ve done everything in your power to forget our childhood, Gabe, but I haven’t.” I said, my gaze straying to the bed. “I still know how to be you and no one would be the wiser.”

“I hope so.” He said. “Just remember, I’m not the easy going brother you used to play with anymore—”

“Oh I doubt that.” I interrupted. “You are forgetting that I have seen you with that wife of yours.”

“Fine.” He grumbled. “Then, to those people I’m not easy going. I ran that city being a heartless, cold bastard but always fair.”

“I will keep that in mind.” I said.

A moment of silence passed then he said, “And… I didn’t forget. I still remember everything. And when the next time we’ll meet you’ll see your brother you remember.”

I smiled in silence as I said, “And just so you know, the Duke is more elegant and subtle in his ways, not violent like your king.” He chuckled. “My advice to you, ugly fucker.” I added.

“Call me if there’s anything you want to know. About anyone. But I have already briefed Zurich and he’ll answer all your questions.”

“Relax and enjoy your honeymoon period. Stop pestering me, every fûcking minute.” I said and pressed the end button. I have far more better things to keep me awake then his late night chatter and concerns.

To Be Continued...

For the readers who are new... Welcome. Hope you like the story.

I'd suggest for you to read INDEBTED To A Tyrant King, for better understanding of this book. It's not a series but the brothers' swap would be understandable.

As it's not a secret, let me explain. Gabriel and Raphael are twins. Raphael is playing as Gabriel, the king of New Orleans while Gabriel is in London with his wife- Summer, who's Ami's best friend.