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Dropping my face and taking my hand he turned to Matteo. “Ok.”
Matteo nodded. “Go out the back. Don’t be seen. I’ll call everyone away. Make your way to the safe house on Commonwealth. Wait there for me.” At that moment we heard voices calling out for Matteo somewhere close by.
“Got it.”
Before I could question what the heck was happening Luca began dragging me towards the back of the building. I ducked and shied away from the flames that came much too close to singeing my skin. Luca tugged me along without mercy down aisles that were closing in fast. I began coughing and choking on the smoke. My dress and heels made everything more difficult but I did my best to keep up with Luca to avoid being literally dragged. His hulking back remained the only thing I could see through watery eyes.
More than once we changed direction or doubled back as a continual line of curses muttered from Luca’s lips. Luca was gagging on the smoke too and for a brief moment I truly thought we were going to burn to death. Then out of nowhere the crash of a door being slammed open and the feeling of fresh air hitting my face had me stumbling to a halt.
We both coughed and gagged trying to clear our lungs. The alley appeared empty and quiet, only the flickering glow of flames bursting from the high windows created light. Luca recovered before I did and when my breath wasn’t coming in choppy waves I straightened, turning to demand answers when his lips came crashing down on mine.
He kissed me as if I was life itself, taking my mouth with greedy sweeps of his tongue. I stiffened for a moment unsure about the nature he was still enthralled to. Then I felt the passion and love in his need to feel every part of me, and I melted. His hands took liberties with every inch of my body, tearing at me with desperate need.
Everything he hadn’t said inside translated through his kiss and touch. It was still hard edged in a way I’d never felt but no less truthful. His strong arms crushed me into his warm body and mine instantly begged for more.
But we were standing in the middle of a deserted alleyway outside a burning building. Why?
“Luca, please what is going on?” I panted against his lips. “Why didn’t we go with Matteo?”
He pulled away to gently hold my face in his battered and bloody hands. “I promise I will explain everything. But not here. Ok?” His voice was softer now.
“Ok.” Now that he was in my arms and I felt his love in our kiss I could be patient. For the moment.
He nodded and took my hand in his again. “Come on.”
* * *
After sneaking our way out of the alley, Luca and I made it to a dark street, walking until we could catch a cab passing by. Sirens blared out in the night as fire trucks and emergency vehicles zoomed past.
The taxi took us back across the bridge, dropping us at a house in Back Bay.
Stepping over the threshold gave me the freedom to breathe again. The lock slid into place, severing the strings that were constricting my chest. Although I’m pretty sure there was smoke damage as well.
Turning the corner I found the nearest couch and plopped down like I would never rise again. Luca sat down quietly beside me. Instantly I snuggled into him, needing the warmth and strength he always provided.
The night crashed down on me with the force of a tidal wave. I’d been kidnapped, threatened with rape and almost burnt alive. But worse than anything, I’d watched my husband turn into an unrecognizable creature that I couldn’t banish from my mind. I tried to hold the tears back but without any strength left to fight them my sobs rolled out. Heavy ones that shook my body and stole my air.
Strong arms banded around me. I crawled into them without hesitation, remembering how I use to hate crying in front of anyone, but I’d come to feel no shame crying in Luca’s arms.
He held me tenderly, my arms clinging to his neck, afraid he would slip away at any moment. I’d been so scared that I would die a horrible death in the hands of a sick bastard, or however many men were willing to rape me.
To feel Luca’s embrace reminded me of the morning sun shining on my face after a sleep plagued by nightmares. No matter what, Luca pulled me from the dark places. My sunrise.
Once I managed to catch my breath I pulled away to take in all of Luca’s handsome face marred with bruises and small cuts. His eyes were glossy, with tears clinging to the corners. The harshness he’d carried in his features were gone, replaced by what could only be described as overwhelming relief. Placing a hand on his strong jaw I whispered, “You came for me.”
His features sharpened. “I will always come for you.” He placed the softest kiss to my salty lips.
“But how did you know Serena took me?”
“We caught her on camera.”
“I was so scared you wouldn’t know where I was.” He cupped my cheek and I leaned into it. “He said he was going to rape me in front of you, and then kill you.” Luca’s body went rigid beneath mine, his muscles ticked along his jaw. “ Then when you got there…” the words faltered on my tongue, shaking my head because I didn’t know how to describe what I’d been feeling.
“You didn’t recognize me,” he said after a moment, sounding tired and sorrowful.
“No. I mean yes— I didn’t see… you. I’d forgotten what you are capable of being. It felt like you were someone else.”
“I know baby. I’m sorry.”
