“Never apologize for being yourself.”
“We’re going out to the hospital next, though, aren’t we?”
“Yes.” His fingers are barely moving, though they’re busy opening the buttons. He is so careful and delicate in what he does, but he also holds some stronger traits that would rival some of the other Alphas I’ve met, which isn’t a normal Beta characteristic. The longer I spend with Pack De Luca, the more I find myself falling under, and enjoying, their mysterious uniqueness.
We don’t talk, and he stays behind me as he undresses me. The shirt goes first, then the long matching skirt I found earlier in the closet. The labels were still on it, but the price was missing, and I’m pretty sure that’s because they don’t use price tags at that boutique.
Standing with Matteo at my back, I feel shielded. It’s an odd sensation. I also know his intention before he even touches over the strapping and the fading bruises.
“I’ll take this tape off when we get home and give you a rubdown.”
I should be locked up in panic, having a man behind me like this, but not once have I felt unsafe with them. I trust my innerwisdom. Even when Matteo’s fingers expertly unclasp my bra and guide it off, I don’t shy away.
His mouth brushes over my shoulder, then he reaches for the dress. The material is softer than it looks, more sumptuous and almost sensual in the way it slides over my skin, making a rush of tingles follow it.
The neckline dips down low. I never would have chosen something like this. I mean, I never could have afforded something like this in my current life, but it takes confidence to wear a dress that screamssiren.
Matteo shimmies the dress, so it sits farther down on my hips, before he does the same with each sleeve. He steps back to look at me just as Dante walks in. The looks on their faces are the boost I need.
Want. Desire. And a scent bomb confirms what they think of it.
Dante has another bag in his hand, one I don’t remember getting.
Matteo takes a knee in front of me, pulling up my bare foot to rest on his thigh, and Dante pulls out a thigh sheath.
“Clearly, Layne, if I find another man even thinking of putting his knife in this, I will slaughter him in front of you.” Dante is dead serious as he talks, and his voice is laced with violence. “Valentine has one for you that will work while your courting gift is being finalized.”
“Pardon?”
He flips from being threatening one second to smiling the next. “You seriously didn’t think today was part of our courting gifts, did you?”
“Back it up,” I demand.
“Back you up? That, I can do.”
I glare down at him, and he tips his head to the side, trouble sparkling in his eyes. “We haven’t even started showering youwith gifts. This is part of mine, though. You remember that promise I made about teaching you how to defend yourself?”
“I thought we were going to a hospital today.”
“We are. Usually, Vitale is set up in a room in his estate and looked after by a team of nurses. He’s had a bad turn health wise, and his doctor insisted on him being hospitalized for a few days as a precaution. Personally, I’m all for anything that reminds the old fuck he’s dying, and him being in hospital, surrounded by machines will do that.” Dante is almost blasé in the way he speaks, but his eyes betray his real emotion, filling with a venomous anger. He takes a quick breath, closing his eyes quickly and when they reopen, I’m once again thrown by how electric blue they are.
“If we’re going to a hospital, why do I need a knife?”
“Baby, from this point on, you are never to go without a weapon strapped on you somewhere. And without one of us glued to your side,” Dante says firmly, infusing enough of his influence that arguing is pointless.
His long fingers make quick work of the strap, and I’m surprised by the secure way it feels. When he slides the blade into it, his hands trail up unnecessarily higher until my eyes bug out at him.
“You know I’ve already set my alarm, so I’m up first tomorrow morning?”
Matteo releases a deep chuckle, all but confirming he knows what Valentine got up to this morning.
Dante lets my leg down, accepting the shoe from Matteo. Of course it matches perfectly; the burgundy color looks like it was dyed at the same time the dress was. Once I am fully dressed, both of them stand up, and with the way they look at me, I don’t need to ask how I look.
Their unspoken praise has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
13
Layne
