Both weapons trained on my heart. The second man, Federico, said, “Dante wants her alive. She won’t be harmed. He wants to see you both, but we have orders to shoot you if you try to resist.”

My mind churned. Dante wanted both of us. Probably to make an example of me. And Nora…

My teeth flashed in a snarl. I knew exactly what that sadistic bastard wanted from my pretty wife.

“You’re both dead men,” I informed them, struggling to maintain my cold demeanor. “You’ll pay for betraying me.”

Andrea paled, and his gun swung in Nora’s direction. “Come quietly, or I’ll hurt her.”

Federico swore. “We can’t. Dante said—”

“Dante will get over it,” Andrea snapped, sweat beading on his brow. “We’re getting the fuck out of here. Right now.”

He was right to be nervous. They weren’t the only men guarding my estate. If I gave even the smallest signal to any of my people as we exited the mansion, Andrea and Federico would die instantly. They were counting on the threat of their guns to subdue me. But Andrea could see the truth in my eyes: I wouldn’t willingly go to Dante under any circumstances, even if it meant risking my own life.

But Nora’s life…

No, I couldn’t risk her.

I couldn’t let Dante have her, either. I couldn’t even let myself begin to contemplate what the sick motherfucker would do to her if he got his filthy hands on my wife.

“Alright,” I bit out. “I’ll come with you. Just keep your aim on me, not her.”

I took a slow step forward, and Andrea’s gun jerked back to target my heart.

My teeth cut the inside of my cheek when Federico insisted, “She’s coming too.”

I held out my hand behind me, never taking my eyes off the threat. I couldn’t focus on Nora’s terror. I couldn’t take my attention off the traitors for so much as a heartbeat.

“Get behind me, Nora.” I kept my voice controlled, tone calm. I couldn’t spook her, or she might bolt. I needed her firmly shielded by my body.

Her hand trembled when she placed it in mine, and I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze. I wanted to swear to her that I would never give her to Dante, but there would be time for that later. We wouldn’t leave our home with these bastards. Even if it meant taking a bullet myself, I wouldn’t let them anywhere near her.

We took slow, measured steps toward the two men, and they eased back into the corridor. When I reached the threshold to the dance studio, I acted. Grabbing Nora’s hip, I shoved her farther inside the room, to the left so that she was no longer a target in the open doorway.