Dante picked me up again and carried me to the bed, where he tucked me beneath the heavy duvet. He brushed a kiss over my lips before pulling away.
“I’ll be right back, darling. I need to put Luca in his cage.”
Luca grunted, and I stiffened.
“Please,” I begged, reaching out to snag Dante’s wrist before he could retreat. “Don’t. Let him stay with me.”
Our captor’s eyes shuttered, and his beautiful features froze as though carved from ice.
“Never ask me that again, little bird,” he warned.
He turned sharply on his heel and shoved Luca’s bare chest, pushing him toward the door. Luca swayed, but he didn’t back away from me. He didn’t put any distance between us.
His ochre eyes fixed on me, but Dante got between us, using his body as a shield before me.
“Come with me, or Lorenzo dies,” he seethed.
Luca gnashed his teeth, hesitating.
“Now,” Dante snapped.
“Go,” I said softly, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. I wouldn’t allow my husband’s friends to die because of me.
“Don’t speak to him!” the monster barked. “He is nothing. You’re mine.”
I dropped my gaze and pressed my lips together, holding in combative words. I’d resolved to be less antagonistic towards him. It was the only way I could think of to free Luca and myself.
As Luca’s feet dragged over the floor, taking reluctant steps away from me, I swallowed a sob.
I’d allowed our tormentor into my body. I’d let him claim a piece of me that should’ve belonged only to my husband.
How could I?
I’d been so desperate for Luca’s touch that I’d agreed to Dante’s sick arrangement.
My stomach twisted as I recognized the lie. A part of me had softened toward the monster for an insane moment. The events of the day had muddled my mind, and I’d been caught up in the same bloodlust that’d claimed the men.
No matter how many times Dante saved me, he would always be my personal Devil, not my savior. I’d been a fool to allow him to touch me. To welcome him into my body.
I shuddered as cold washed over me, and I hugged my knees to my chest.
I had to escape, or I would lose more than my dignity; my sanity was at risk every moment that I remained Dante’s captive.
Chapter14
Nora
It was nearly midday, but I hadn’t seen Luca at all since Dante had ripped him away from me last night; he hadn’t been brought out of his cell to share breakfast with us. The monster was on edge, his dark mood like a cloud around him, making the air heavy enough to suffocate me. He held me possessively as he fed me, barely speaking. I’d found myself wishing for him to murmur reassurances to me. Anything to dispel the tension that coiled in my stomach, making me nauseous.
I wandered across the library for the dozenth time, my fingers skimming the spines that lined the shelves. I was desperate for anything that might hold my attention, to distract me from my churning thoughts.
Longing for Luca tugged at my heart, as though an invisible string tethered me to him, pulling me toward the basement.
But I didn’t dare visit him. Not when Dante was in such a feral mood.
He’d claimed my mouth last night, but if anything, the act had only made him more possessive and jealous of my affection for Luca. He’d been the one to arrange the messed-up scene, when they’d both ravaged me at the same time.
Loathing tinged my longing for my husband. Dante had further debased me. And Luca.