“I gave you an order,” Dante prompted me.
A snarl ripped from my chest as I forced my fingers to unfurl, dropping the phone. It clattered to the floor, and the screen went black.
Moving as fast as a striking viper, Dante grabbed the weapon I’d surrendered when I’d chosen Nora’s life over his death. Then he shifted the aim of the gun that’d been pointed at her head, training it squarely on my chest instead.
He pulled the trigger. I flinched, and the gun clicked.
Empty. The chamber had been empty.
His low laugh grated down my spine. He kissed my wife again.
“Sorry if I scared you, darling. You were never in any danger.” He turned his attention to me, hefting the loaded gun I’d stolen from his guards. “I think I’ll hold on to this. It’s kinder not to tempt you.”
I snarled in wordless fury. He knew I wouldn’t dare attack him now. Not when it would cost Lorenzo’s and Gabriele’s lives.
He waved the gun at me. “That’s enough of your caveman posturing. Come with me.”
He stepped toward me, but Nora’s dainty hand snagged his shoulder.
“Where are you taking him?” she demanded.
He shrugged her off, keeping his full focus on me. His green eyes were bright with delight. “To his new accommodations. Don’t worry, little bird. He won’t be harmed. It’s his friends he should be concerned about.”
He took another step, and she grabbed him again. A small frown cracked his maniacal smile.
“Stay here, pet.” The warning in his silky tone was clear. “Or you’ll get a lesson in obedience too.”
My fists clenched with the need to defend her. “It’s okay, Nora,” I forced out through gritted teeth. “I’ll go with him.”
Her eyes met mine over his shoulder, wide with horror. She was still so innocent. In my bloody lifetime, I’d seen things that’d made hardened criminals shudder, and even I was completely shredded by Dante’s mindfucks. Nora didn’t deserve any of this.
I would protect her in any way I could.
“I’ll get you out of here,” I vowed, looking only at her. “I’ll take you away from him.”
Pain exploded through my skull, and the world flickered black. Nora screamed my name. I blinked hard and found myself sprawled on the floor. Something warm and wet trickled through my hair.
The bastard had hit me with his gun.
He stood over me, lips peeled back from his teeth in a feral snarl. “Do not talk to my wife. Don’t look at her. You are less than nothing to her.” His boot drove into my gut to make his point. My insides writhed, and I doubled over in agony.
“Stop it!” Nora shrieked. “Dante, stop!”
He turned away from me to face her. His entire demeanor changed as though a switch had been flipped. The possessive rage melted from his features, and he caressed her cheek in a parody of tenderness. She stiffened, but she didn’t flinch away from him. Her chin tipped back in defiant challenge.
He traced the line of her pursed lips with his thumb. “You are so beautiful when you’re angry,” he rumbled.
The change in him was shocking. Perverse. The man truly was insane.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt him,” she snapped, unmoved by his gentleness.
“That was before he started talking about taking you away from me,” he replied calmly. “But you’re right. I lost my temper. I should’ve cut off one of Gabriele’s fingers instead.”
She paled. “Don’t.”
“I won’t. He’s already been punished.” He kissed her forehead. “Now be a good girl and stay here.”
He turned away from her and grabbed my arm, hauling me upright. The world spun around me, so he braced my shoulder to steady me.
