His dark gaze focused on me, roving over my stinging cheeks before dipping down to my ruined dress. “Not soon enough.” A touch of the growl returned to his voice. He took a breath and briefly closed his eyes, as though mastering his most feral emotions. When he opened them again, he appeared calmly controlled, more like the man who had pledged his eternity to me with solemn determination.

“Has Alberto ever done that to you before?” His teeth flashed on my cousin’s name, but otherwise, he remained composed.

I shook my head, distracted from my distress by the puzzle of my mercurial husband. “He’s never taken things that far.”

Luca’s brows drew together. “He’s hurt you before.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” I said softly, voice strangely small. I felt very young and far too vulnerable. I hugged my arms around my chest, drawing my ruined dress more tightly around myself.

Luca lifted his hand to my hair, and I barely suppressed the urge to flinch away from his touch. Instead, I sat stiffly as he stroked his long fingers through the brunette locks in a slow, soothing rhythm. He’d petted me like this last night, when he’d taken my virginity so ruthlessly.

My insides squirmed. The tender touch tempted me with comfort, but I could still feel the taint of Alberto’s groping hands on my skin.

“He’ll never breathe the same air as you again,” Luca vowed.

My breath caught. “Are you going to kill him?”

I didn’t know if I wanted to see my cousin murdered. I never wanted him to touch me again, but was I savage enough to wish him dead?

Luca saved me from the internal conflict. “No,” he bit out, but his hand remained gentle in my hair. “I can’t kill him. He’s family now that we’re married. But I’ll make sure he never comes anywhere near you.”

Relief rolled through me in a riptide, strong enough to make my eyes sting. I blinked rapidly to dispel the tears before they could fall.

“It’s okay,” Luca promised softly. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

Yes, I was safe from Alberto. But who would protect me from my husband?

I shivered and pressed closer to his body heat before I could stop myself. He frowned down at me.

“You’re cold. I’ll draw a bath for you.”

“Okay,” I whispered, suddenly exhausted. Yes, I wanted to wash the filth from my skin. And I didn’t want Luca to keep touching me. It was making me want to cry, and I couldn’t risk that. Not in front of him.

He shifted our positions, nestling me in the big chair while he went to pull the duvet off the bed. He tucked it around me and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.