Dante was toying with me again. He had to be.
I rolled the tension from my shoulders and continued my search. It didn’t matter if this was another sick game. I had a weapon, and I was no longer drugged or chained down. I would kill the bastard or die trying.
My heart leapt into my throat when I heard a raised female voice, muffled by the closed door that was mere yards in front of me.
Nora.
Not hesitating for a second longer, I burst through the door and raised my gun at the same time, surging into the bedroom with my weapon at the ready.
“Luca!”
Her anguished cry punched my chest, and I rocked back as though at a physical blow.
Dante held her tightly in front of him, the coward using my delicate wife as a shield. He held his own gun, and the barrel was pressed to her temple.
“Took you long enough to find us.” He smirked at me.
The sadistic monster had known I was coming for him. It truly had been another sick game, a mindfuck.
My arm was raised, ready to shoot the bastard. But I couldn’t fire without risking Nora’s life.
“Let her go,” I growled, strengthening my stance. I wouldn’t back down. I couldn’t.
He brushed a kiss over her pale cheek. “But we made a vow:until death do us part.I’ll never let my wife go. Nora is mine.”
A low growl slipped between my bared teeth, and I aimed right between his eyes. I could take the shot. I was an excellent marksman.
But if he made one swift move, Nora might get hit.
She looked so achingly fragile in his cruel grip, the scrap of black satin robe barely shielding her modesty. She was totally vulnerable, her life in my hands.
“Drop your weapon, or I’ll pull this trigger.” Dante issued a chilling ultimatum.
“I will fucking kill you,” I vowed, not lowering my gun.
“But you won’t risk her, will you?” he challenged coolly, green eyes glittering with sick excitement. The bastard was getting off on this.
“Drop it.” His hold on her tightened, and she gasped as his meaty hand sank into her hip, pinning her to him.
I looked into her wide hazel eyes, dark lashes sweeping her brows. Her lush lips were parted on panicked, panting breaths.
He was right: I wouldn’t risk her life. Not even to kill my worst enemy. Because even though I hadn’t been married to Nora long, she’d worked her way under my skin. She was innocent, and I’d sworn to keep and protect her. I couldn’t have her blood on my hands. I wouldn’t be worthy of my birthright if I betrayed her for my own vengeance. I wouldn’t be worthy of calling myself a man.
My gun clattered to the floor.
Dante grinned and pressed another mocking kiss to Nora’s ashen cheek. “Don’t move, darling.”
He released her from his iron grip but kept his weapon pointed at her head. With his free hand, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and connected a call.
“It’s for you,” he said as he tossed the phone to me.
Bewildered, I caught it without thinking. I couldn’t do anything as long as Nora’s life was in danger.
“Luca!” The familiar masculine voice emanated from the speaker, dragging my attention away from the awful scene before me.
Another nightmarish image filled the phone screen: Gabriele was strung up by his wrists, angry red welts burned into his bare chest.
My heart dropped to the floor.