Giana kept one of my hands in hers as she sank down onto the couch in our sitting room, and I settled in beside her. We didn’t break contact; I needed to feel her comforting presence as much as she needed to reassure herself that I was safe and whole. My kidnapping by Luca had been traumatic for her, and worry for my wellbeing had been consuming her.

Her fingernails were too short beneath my soothing touch; they were ragged from where she’d been biting them, a nervous habit she’d kicked years ago.

“Giana,” I sighed her name, hating that I was the cause of her distress. “I really am okay.”

“But that brute kidnapped you. He forced you to marry him. He’s a monster, Nora.”

I pressed my lips together, considering. Yes, I’d called Luca a monster when he’d first taken me. I’d hated him for ripping away my future and—even worse—for humiliating me with dark pleasure.

I thought of how he’d handled me so roughly in the dance studio yesterday, after he’d killed the men who’d threatened me. My body was still sore from the savage encounter, but my blood heated to think about it. My new husband was fierce and possessive, but he’d protected me. I’d witnessed shocking violence before, but it was the first time someone had held me afterward. He’d bled for me; he’d been grazed by a bullet while fighting our enemies.

He’d saved me from Alberto’s sick lust, too. And when he’d held me after our reception, he’d told me about his mother’s tragic death. He’d made himself vulnerable with me, just for a few minutes.

“He says he wants me to be happy,” I admitted.

Giana’s brows drew together. “He’s essentially holding you hostage to ensure Father’s support. How can he possibly expect you to be happy when he’s using you like a pawn?”

I shook my head. “I think he means it. Not because he truly cares about me,” I explained, “but because he doesn’t want to live his life in a miserable marriage.”

I wasn’t foolish enough to think that Luca cared about my happiness in an altruistic sense. But that didn’t mean his tenderness and consideration hadn’t softened something in me. I didn’t want to be miserable either.

“He built a dance studio for me,” I said, my heart lifting at the memory. I’d been so nervous when he’d blindfolded me, but he’d made the entire experience thrilling and special.

“Really?” Giana’s jaw dropped, and she quickly snapped it closed. “He asked me to send over your dance outfits, but he didn’t say anything else. Well, he didn’t exactly ask. He commanded me to send them.” She frowned. “He’s not good enough for you, Nora.”