I said nothing; I simply watched the violence unfold in numb shock. I didn’t cry out to save his miserable life, but I didn’t crave his death, either. All I could do was watch my vicious husband choking the life from him for daring to touch me. Everything seemed surreal, my head spinning from the assault.

Alberto went utterly still, and a pained sound tore from Luca’s chest as he ripped his hand away from my cousin’s throat. Alberto gasped and choked, spluttering as he rolled into a fetal ball.

Alive. Luca had spared him at the last second. I couldn’t process it. I didn’t know what outcome I’d wished for.

My knees went weak, and I sagged against the bookshelf. I didn’t wish for any of this. I wanted to curl into a ball and sob too.

But I couldn’t let them see me cry. Cruel men reveled in my fear, my tears. It only incited them to further violence.

I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat and forced my shaking legs to support me. My torn dress slipped when I righted myself, so I clutched the ruined lace to cover my breasts.

Luca was on his feet and in my personal space in a heartbeat. I cringed away from his brutal hands. His arms dropped to his sides, and he stopped a few inches away from me, giving me space to breathe.

“Are you alright?” he rumbled.

I pressed my lips together and forced a short nod. I was as far from alright as I’d ever been in my entire life, but I wouldn’t tell him that. He couldn’t know how close I was to a complete breakdown. In the last twenty-four hours, I’d been kidnapped, forced into marriage against my will, lost my virginity to a monster, and been attacked by my own cousin.

I willed my chin to stop quivering and straightened my shoulders. Luca lifted his hand to my stinging face, and I flinched.

A frown twisted his mouth, and he pulled away again. “I’m not going to hurt you, Nora.”

I choked down a maddened laugh that threatened to bubble from my chest. Of course he would hurt me. Or worse, he’d make me experience pleasure again when all I wanted to feel was revulsion. That was far more devastating than a slap to the face.

Luca opened his mouth to say something else, but Alberto stirred with a groan. Luca rounded on him and delivered a vicious kick to his gut.

“Stay down,” my husband growled. “You’re lucky to be alive. Tell anyone about what happened here, and you won’t be. You’ll never see Nora again.”

Alberto spluttered, unable to rise even if he’d wanted to.

Satisfied that the threat was thoroughly dealt with, Luca turned back to me.