“Nobody—touches—myfucking—wife.”
Finally, with one last blow, he stops.
A stupid thought floats through my addled brain.
I’m not your wife yet.
The garage falls silent. Luca slowly straightens and lets the wrench clatter to the concrete. I stay on the floor, throat aching,head dizzy, confused, afraid, thankful—a million different emotions, none of them sticking for long.
Luca turns to me.
He’s beautiful and glorious.
Blood’s drenched all over him, and he’s still perfect. I’ve never seen a man look so incredible before. He’s powerful and athletic, and he looks like beating another human into flesh-shaped paste doesn’t even faze him. I’m caught between screaming in terror and throwing myself at him like a maniac.
“I should’ve gotten in here sooner,” he says, kneeling down. Some of the edge in his voice is gone. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know,” I croak and touch my face. My lip’s bleeding from the punch. “I think so.”
“Shit,” he whispers, touching the wound on my mouth with his thumb. He rubs it gently before putting my blood in his mouth. “Come with me.”
I don’t know what the fuck to say to that.
He reaches out a hand, and I take it.
“What are youdoinghere?” I gasp as I get to my feet. He pulls me close against him. The dead man’s blood smears on my clothes. The corpse doesn’t move. I try not to look at its horribly mangled face.
“I’ll explain soon. For now, we have to go.” He pulls me toward the door.
“Wait. Wait! Who was that? What’s happening?”
“You’re in danger.” Luca’s jaw flexes. “I should’ve stopped that sooner. I’m sorry, Fiorella.”
“How did you evenknow?”
He stops and looks at me. We’re alone in the garage. My head’s slowly clearing, though it’s still throbbing with pain.
“I’ve been watching you day and night for two weeks.”
My mouth drops open. “You’ve been doingwhat?”
He grips my hands tightly between his.
“You’re safe now.” His voice is a whisper. “I’ve got you, Fio. Come with me.”
He’s been watching me. I don’t even know what that means. Is my future husband also a stalker now? Is Luca obsessed in some weird way?
Or does he know something that I don’t?
I let him lead me from the garage. Another man’s waiting outside. He’s young and wide-eyed. “Oh, shit,” he says. “You were right.”
“Leo, get in touch with Fiorella’s family. She’s coming home with me tonight.”
“Yeah, okay, right away.”
“Tell the others too. I want Enzo here in ten minutes to check that body for ID. I need to know who’s coming for her.”
“Done.” Leo hurries off at a run.
