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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.
“Let’s go,” he commanded, striding toward the corridor.
I stumbled after him, too dizzy to physically resist.
If anything, the injury made it more bearable. Because even if I had been able to walk on my own, I would’ve docilely followed where he led. I couldn’t risk my friends.
Loathing burned the inside of my chest, but it was directed at myself every bit as much as it was directed at Dante. He’d rendered me powerless, and he hadn’t needed to beat me to do it.
I’d vowed to kill him and free Nora. I would keep my promise. Somehow.
Chapter3
Nora
Asoft rustling sound woke me. My breathing stuttered as I came to awareness, but I kept my eyes closed. Dante was in the room with me. I could hear him getting dressed.
It was a small mercy to no longer be trapped in his strong arms—he’d cuddled me close when he’d returned from taking Luca to his “new accommodations”. I had no idea where Luca was, but I couldn’t do anything to save him. Not as long as I was trapped in the arms of our insane captor.
Somehow, I’d fallen asleep while the monster held me. His tender caresses were dangerously alluring, lulling my body into relaxation after yesterday’s horrific events. I’d been too exhausted to resist him, and I’d shamefully succumbed to his manipulative touch. He hadn’t tried to force pleasure from my unwilling body, but the effect of his masterful hands was still unnerving.
“Sorry, darling,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He must’ve noticed a shift in my breathing to realize I was awake. His fixation was beyond disconcerting.
