I hated Luca, but the years of Alberto’s abuse had engrained terror and disgust deep in my psyche. I couldn’t let him find me, especially not when he was so drunk. The fact that he’d dared to touch my thigh beneath the table at my wedding reception told me that he was beyond reason. I wasn’t sure what he would do if he caught me, but it wouldn’t be pleasant.

A floorboard creaked beneath my foot, and I cringed.

“I know you’re in here.” His voice was dark, rumbling with anger. “Where are you, you little slut?”

I reached the end of the row of shelves and dared to peek around the corner. His thick body was an imposing shadow in the doorway, framed by the golden light that flooded the corridor. He was blocking my way out.

I ducked back behind the shelf and drew in quiet, shallow breaths.

His shoes scuffed the floor as he stalked drunkenly toward me. “You let him fuck you, didn’t you?” he spat. “Answer me, Nora!”

I jolted at his booming shout, then pressed myself closer to the shelf. If he kept making this much noise, maybe someone would hear. Maybe Luca would come looking for me.

I shook off the foolish thought. Why wish for one monster to rescue me from another? I would have to get out here on my own. I would save myself.

Alberto stumbled down the aisle, and I took my chance. I rounded the other side and darted toward the door. I made it halfway before my high heel turned beneath me. Fear burst through me, and I cried out as my knees hit the floor. I grabbed at the shelf and pulled myself upright, kicking off the traitorous shoes.

But it was too late. Alberto’s weight slammed into me, and the shelf rocked at my back. Books thundered to the floor, the booming sound clashing with the crack of my cousin’s meaty hand across my cheek. Pain reverberated through my skull, and the shadows darkened to pure black for a few precious seconds.

His hands bracketed my shoulders, thick fingers digging into my upper arms as he shook me. “You’re not a virgin anymore, are you?” he demanded as my teeth rattled. “You fucking whore. You always were a cocktease, and now you’ve let some other man fuck you.”

The library swam around me, but I managed to hiss back, “You’re my cousin, you sick bastard. We’re related by blood. Get your filthy hands off me, pervert.”

Pain lit up my face when he delivered another vicious backhand. “Shut up!” he thundered. “You’re the one who’s always tempted me. This is your fault.” He flipped me around and shoved my aching cheek hard against the books. “You know you’ve always wanted this, and you let another man have you first. You’ll pay for that.”