Page 57 of Dare To Love Me

He stepped into my space until we were only inches apart, his breath wafting over me. My breathing quickened against my will. I met his eyes trying to not show how scared I was, and knew I was doing a shit job of it. Then he brought a hand up toward my breast. My breathing stopped altogether.

“You have a magnificent body,” he said as he placed one finger into the top of my bra-cup and slid it downwards.

A sob nearly broke loose as his finger swept over the top of my nipple. His smile filled with satisfaction. It took everything I had not to pull away and run. But there was nowhere to go. And, no matter what it costs me, I refused to give the bastard the pleasure of watching me break.

Movement caught my eye. Matteo restrained a furious Luca, with his face thrust into Luca’s ear whispering harshly. Luca didn’t resist but looked ready to combust. I focused on nothing over Lorenzo’s shoulder unable to make eye contact with Luca.

Lorenzo finished trailing both my breast and now trailed his knuckles down my stomach to the waist line of my panties. I sucked in my abs trying to shrink away from his touch. My lip started to quiver. The roar of white noise in my head grew louder.

Very slowly he placed his finger in the waist line of my lace and followed the band from one hip to the other. When his finger grazed the top of my curls, I flinched. Bile rose in my throat, tasting it on the back of my tongue.

I closed my eyes. I was on the edge about to fall into utter chaos.

“Luca is a very lucky man.” His tone disgusted me. I opened my eyes to find him hiding none of what he was thinking.

He drew his finger from my panties and took a deep breath. Bringing his hand to my face he stroked my cheekbone lightly with his knuckles. A single tear escaped the corner of my eye as I broke inside.

Lorenzo smiled victoriously. “I am convinced. You may go.” He rounded my shoulder and left the room.

Crumbling to my knees, I hit the carpet not caring about the rug burns. Everything inside me floated down in tiny pieces landing in a pile in the pit of my stomach. A sickening hollow feeling made my blood run cold. I put my head in my hands and tried not to let my tears fall. I heard footsteps and the rustling of clothes but didn’t look up. I couldn’t seem to move, but my body shivered uncontrollably.

Then I felt warm material wrap around me. Gripping the edges I pulled the coat tight around my chilled body. Luca squatted down, watching me intently. Knowing it was his warmth surrounding me quieted my mind enough to rein in my breathing. The wonderful sent of his clean, spicy cologne on the jacket soothed me. But I couldn’t look at him. After what I just endured, I could not deal with that and what I might find in his gaze.

I took two deep breaths and rose on unsteady legs. When I swayed Luca’s strong arms wrapped around my waist. I leaned into him, needing more of his warmth.

Matteo appeared in front of me, his face grim.

“Is Arianna ok?” It was the first thing I had planned to ask when I arrived.

Matteo sighed with relief. “Yes. She is perfectly safe. She told me what you did and I will never forget it. Ever.” His words were alive with promise. “Thank you.”

I nodded, not quite knowing how to respond. “I think the men were Russian.” I offered quietly. Luca’s grip on me tightened.

“We figured as much,” Matteo said. “They wanted Arianna so they could likely send a message or ransom her for territory. You they probably figured were of some value if you were accompanying her. If they had known you were the future Underboss’s wife, they would have never stopped chasing you.”

My knees tried to buckle again at the information, but Luca held me tight against him. “Please don’t tell Arianna what happened in here tonight. She will only find a way to blame herself.”

Matteo nodded in agreement just as his phone began to ring. Removing it from his pocket he looked at the number and answered immediately. There was a long pause. “Have everything ready in ninety minutes.” He hung up the phone and looked at Luca. “Take her home. I will pick you up in an hour. We have people to conduct business with.” His tone was more than suggestive.

Luca stiffened at my side. He nodded to Matteo then hesitantly let me go long enough to retrieve my clothes off the floor. He drew me into his side once again, then ushered me out of the office.

By the time I settled into the car I was already retreating inside myself. It was a natural reaction when things around me suppressed the will to fight. Years of practice had made it second nature. I curled my knees into my chest, wrapped Luca’s coat around me and watched the starless night sky flash by.

“Are you ok?” I didn’t answer and he didn’t ask again.

I hated myself for shutting Luca out. I could feel the worry radiating from his tense body. But I couldn’t let him in. It would pull me out of the bubble I had hidden in and was frightened at how easily I knew he could do it. He was like kryptonite; so effortlessly penetrating my defenses. He could hurt me so bad. Just like he had tonight, and I was scared to death about it.