Dante’s laugh was quiet, his expression wrecked. “You’re going to be a real problem for me,tesoro.”
Then he brushed his mouth over mine again, softer this time, like a promise he didn’t know how to say out loud. “I’m kissing you again,” he growled. “And this time, I’m not going to be nice.”
“Emberline, are you somewhere in this awful hovel? Don’t make me come up there.” My brother’s shout drifted in through the open window.
Reality crashed back in, breaking the spell.Thank all the gods.
But… what the fuck was Luca doing here?
“Ah, I hear your brother’s melodic tones.” Dante sighed, rolling off me and offering me his hand, a glimmer of disappointment in his face. “Your trunks have finally arrived, Emberline.”
“I thought I needed to keep my distance from my family?”I stared up at him, confused. “What was that whole speech before?”
Dante wiggled his fingers, and after a pause, I placed my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet.
“I figured your brother deserved an explanation, so Imighthave suggested he help with the delivery.”
34
EMBERLINE
My lips still burning from my very first kiss, I leaned out the bedroom window, staring down at my trunks clattering off the delivery boat and up the front steps, carried by an army of servants, followed by Luca, who’d come along to make sure I hadn’t been murdered by my pillaging husband.
Maybe almost deflowered on the training room mats, but murdered…no.
Miracle of miracles, my savage of a husbandhadbeen listening after all. Eight trunks in total. Most of them heavy. Reinforced steel with custom-padded interior compartments and a complicated locking system that only I had the combination to.
Dante effortlessly heaved the first one over his shoulder as three servants struggled with the second.
He paused halfway inside, tipping his face up to make sure I was watching—the peacock. “You weren’t kidding about these being heavy.” He winked. “What did you pack, bricks?”
“Just some personal belongings,” I replied, glaring down at him with my chin cupped in my hands. “Sensible clothes plus a few dresses. Some books, since it looks like married life is shaping up to be a bore.” I yawned. “Why, is the trunk too much for your old, aching shoulders?”
His grin flashed, sharp and pleased, and warmth spreadthrough me. “Saints, you and I are going to have such fun together.”
“Don’t count on it,” I sniped, pissed off beyond belief because all I could think of was the way I’d melted into butter when his body had been pressed against mine.
Never, ever happening again.
Not in a gazillion years.
Luca followed a healthy five paces behind my husband, shooting me an accusing look of brotherly reproach.I’m coming up, but I’m keeping my distance from your caveman husband.
Good plan, Luca.Although… Dante wasn’t half the nightmare I’d expected him to be, but to say that right now would be tantamount to admitting I actuallylikedthe brute.
Which I didn’t.
Our motives were aligned; that was all.
Then my brother was throwing his arms around me, tears pricking my eyes as he squeezed me tight.“We’re fixing this mess, Em. Uncle is petitioning the Shadow Council to overturn the marriage; he’ll get you out of this sham, bullshit agreement and back home where you belong.”
He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, but looking me over, cataloguing everything, from my tangled mess of hair to the fact I was still in my black dress.
Luca, you need to listen to me. I have to stay. Tell Uncle Gio our plan is still a go. I’m simply married to a different brother. I can find a way to make this work.
My brother’s blistering glare narrowed until I couldn’t see his eyes at all.
“No, he shouldn’t,” I said aloud, squeezed my brother’s hand, launching into the argument I’d been practicing since last night. “This oath… was one father made. Ending this marriage contract would break a sworn blood oath, and there is no forgiveness for that. This marriage must stand.” Two servants struggled past the open door, craning their necks to eavesdrop.
