Even Dante’s steady heat at my back was comforting. Their strength surrounded me, shielding me. No one could get to me while I was in their arms, under their protection.
Luca stared down into my eyes, peering straight into my soul. “I love you too.”
I released a heavy sigh, the last of the tension easing from my muscles.
My husband loved me, and I was safe.
“Take off her robe.” It sounded as though Dante issued the order through gritted teeth, but I couldn’t look away from Luca’s intense gaze to study his face.
“You can leave,” Luca told him without taking his eyes off mine, tone hostile. “We don’t need you in here.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dante hissed. “My wife needs me.”
“She’s not your wife! Nora is mine.” His blazing gaze snapped to his enemy, fixing him with a glower. I gasped at the loss of connection, but the men were too caught up in their argument to notice.
“You are only here for her sake,” Dante warned. “You will remain here for her sake. What I do to your friends is another matter entirely.”
His threats made my blood run cold. Dante had used Gabriele and Lorenzo to subjugate Luca ever since he’d been captured. Seeing my strong husband controlled by a madman turned my stomach.
I placed my hand over his heart to call his attention to me.
It’s okay, I tried to say, but the words stuck in my constricted throat.
“She doesn’t need your hands on her,” Luca seethed. “Not after everything she’s been through.”
Yes, I’d suffered so much. The Russians…
I swallowed hard, and cold sank into my flesh. Dark memories churned, rising up to drown me in terror and agony.
“My wife needs me more than ever,” Dante snapped back.
Dark laughter suffused the air around me, making it heavy enough to suffocate me. Masculine hands groped me, leaving trails of grime on my skin.
“Please…” I begged to be spared, to be saved.
But no one would save me. Dante wasn’t coming, and Luca couldn’t come.
“Nora.” Dante’s voice, rough with strain.
I leaned back into his steady heat, his strong body. “You came.” I whispered.
“I will always come for you,” he swore. “I’ll prove it to you every day. You’re safe with me.”
Luca’s thick fingers trailed over my cheeks, wiping away tears.
“Stay here with me.” My husband’s voice was deep and steady, a gentle command.
I drew in a breath and focused on the two men who had saved me. Both of them, surrounding me, protecting me.
“Let’s get you warmed up,” Luca rumbled.
He didn’t continue his argument with Dante. Their quarrel seemed utterly forgotten as their full focus centered on me.
Handling me as though I was a spooked doe, Luca moved slowly as he reached for the silken tie on the ankle-length black robe that preserved my modesty. He’d caressed me and soothed me since I’d been rescued, but I hadn’t been completely naked since they’d saved me. At least, not when I’d been conscious.
The tie fell away, and the robe parted. Cool air kissed my sternum, and I suddenly felt horribly exposed, despite the fact that my breasts were still covered. A whimper slipped between my pursed lips, and I fisted the soft material, pulling it tightly around me to cover my body.
Sick laughter echoed through my head, and ice encased my bones.
