Not Luca, the bastard.

I dispelled the sour thought and reminded myself that my revenge was imminent. His attachment to Nora would only make him that much more vulnerable. If he shared the glimmer of affection that she seemed to harbor for him, I would be able to wound his heart while I shattered his pride. I would break him in every way imaginable, and Nora would help me do it.

My wife would serve me well.

As we made our way through the massive house, I acted like her gracious host, showing her the two sitting rooms, games room, study, whiskey lounge, indoor pool, and sauna. The only room where she dared to take her eyes off me and glance around was the library, as though she couldn’t help herself. I didn’t bother to suppress a knowing smirk.

Her old man had told me her hobbies when I’d asked—dance, piano, and reading. I’d already searched her bedroom at her father’s house, and once I gave her free reign of the library, she’d find her own copies of her favorite books tucked onto a shelf I’d reserved just for her.

I decided to save the music room for later, when I’d show her the piano where she could play for just for me. That would have to wait.

We had many years ahead for me to enjoy her musical talents. Luca might arrive any minute now. It was past time to drop the pretense and take her to our actual destination.

I led her to the end of the long hallway and opened the door to the darkened room. I ushered her into the darkness, ensuring that she was in front of me. With one arm wrapped around her waist, I tucked her tightly against my front, trapping her while I turned on the light.

She tensed as soon as the low golden lights illuminated the ominous space. Her head whipped around, something between a wild inspection of her surroundings and an instinctive refusal to accept where she was.

I splayed my hand over her abs, feeling her muscles jump and dance as she squirmed in my restraining hold.

“Let me go.” Her demand was breathless, hitching slightly as fear flooded her senses.

I nuzzled her hair and inhaled her soft, floral scent, imprinting the memory in my brain. She was scared this first time, so deliciously frightened and powerless in my arms. My naïve young bride had no idea of the pleasure I would wring from her in this room, when I toyed with her for hours at my leisure. She would cry in pain and ecstasy, and I would savor her tears.