I lifted my chin and met Dante’s disapproving glower head-on. “We’re going to have a talk. All three of us. This ends today.”
Luca’s fingers flexed into my hips. “There’s no use trying to reason with a madman. And nothing he can say will make up for what he’s done to you. To us.”
I spun, rounding on my husband. “He’s risked his life to save mine more than once.”
Luca scowled. “I’ve already told you that you won’t be responsible for his death. I will.”
“I won’t let you kill him,” I said bluntly.
His brows drew together, expression thunderous. “He’s been a dead man since the day he stole you away from me. It’s done, Nora.”
“And you’ve been damned since the day you killed my brother,” Dante hissed. “There’s no stopping this, little bird.”
I shook my head. “I’m going to make sure Giana feels safe and comfortable here,” I announced, skewering Dante with a hard stare. “You are going to see the doctor.” I turned my gaze on Luca. “And you’re not going to try to kill anyone. Not until we talk.”
My husband’s jaw was so tight that he spoke through gritted teeth. “You can’t ask that of me, Nora.”
I placed my hand on his cheek to soften my demand, but I remained firm in my resolve. “I’m not asking. I love you, Luca, and I’m going to find a way to free you. I’m going to end this nightmare. For all of us.”
“Not possible,” Dante bit out. “You can beg me as prettily as you like, pet, but I’ll never forgive him.”
“Well, I’m going to try,” I insisted, looking from Luca to Dante and back again. “I can’t keep living like this. I know you’ll both protect me, but I’m trying to protect us all. You’ve both promised to do anything for me. Are you going to deny me a simple conversation?”
“All right, Nora,” Dante ground out. “We’ll talk. I always keep my promises, and I meant it when I offered you anything you desire.”
Luca couldn’t seem to manage more than a wordless growl of frustration.
I caressed his hard jaw and softened my tone. “Please, Luca. I need this. I need you.”
He turned his face into my tender touch and kissed my palm before managing a stiff nod. He couldn’t seem to find the words to reply, but he agreed to my demand.
I didn’t know what dark secrets would be revealed when I asked for the truth about the night Dante’s brother died, but there was more to it than coldblooded murder at Luca’s hand. My husband seemed to carry guilt over Francesco’s death, and even though he’d claimed responsibility, he’d suggested that the situation was more complex.
Dante would never listen to Luca if he denied any culpability. But my dark protector would listen to me. It might be within my power to end this feud, and I wouldn’t give up until I’d saved them both, just as they’d saved me.
Chapter 10
Nora
“You said that you would explain about the complicated situation with Dante,” Giana pressed when I shut the guest bedroom door behind us. “I’m grateful that he got me away from Father, but he’s been holding you captive, Nora. We shouldn’t be on his estate. We should find a way to escape and go somewhere none of them can find us.”
I took her hands in mine, grounding her to me. Her hazel eyes were wide with fear, so I squeezed her slender fingers in a pulse of comfort.
“It’s not like that,” I assured her. “Not anymore. I don’t want to leave the estate. We’re safe here. Dante and Luca will protect both of us.”
Her brow furrowed. “How can we be safe with either of them? I know you said that you have feelings for Luca, but he kidnapped you and forced you to marry him. Watching him drag you away from me and throw you into that SUV was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever experienced. And then Dante took you away from me too. They’ve both forced you into marriage against your will. How can you trust either of them?”
“I love Luca,” I said gently. “He’s earned my love. He’s sacrificed his pride for me, working with Dante in order to keep me safe.”
Her lips pursed with doubt. “If you’re sure of your feelings for him, then we have to get him away from Dante too. He can shelter us and take control of the organization, like he was meant to do before Dante started this war.”
My jaw firmed. “I can’t leave Dante.”
“There has to be a way out of here.” Giana misread the meaning behind my words. “He can’t hold you captive forever. I’ll figure out a way to free you, Nora.”
I shook my head. “I mean I don’t want to leave him,” I clarified. “I…care about him.”
When I thought about my feelings for Dante, emotion swelled inside me: affection tinged with betrayal. It was wrong of me to want Dante when Luca possessed my heart.
