Chapter 4 4

LUCA'S POV

Her eyes grew wide with fear as Ross's angry shout came from downstairs.

"Luca, where are you?" my stomach twisted. I felt guilty for telling Ross where she was at the hotel.

I let her down once, and now he was here, looking for her. Not this time. I grabbed her arm, her skin felt warm, and I felt a spark of desire even though we were in danger. Her body in those tiny shorts was messing with my head.

"Get back to the room," I told her, my voice low and urgent. "Lock the door, and don't come out until you hear me. Go."

She didn't argue. Her feet could be heard as she ran to the room, her hair bounced, and I could see fear and determination in her movements. My chest tightened, imagining her curled up, waiting for me, her body soft and bruised. Damn it, I didn't deserve her trust after I betrayed her, but I'd rather die than let Ross touch her again.

Ross's shout came again, closer and angrier. "Luca, don't mess with me!"

I squared my shoulders, my tattoo felt like it was sucking the air out my lungs as I headed downstairs. My heart was beating really fast, guilt and anger eating my inside. How could I fix this?

The big staircase opened into the main hall, all shiny marble and bright light. Ross was walking around like a caged wolf, his fancy suit was wrinkled, and his eyes were wild. His usual charming self was gone, replaced by pure fury.

He had lost his prize. I rested on the railing, forcing a smirk, trying to act calm.

"Ross, what's wrong? Barging in and yelling like a crazy person?" my voice was light, teasing, but my fists clenched, ready to break his jaw again.

He spun around, pointing a finger, his face red. "Don't play dumb, ass. You took her! Mara is here, I know it." His voice was full of poison, but I could hear a hint of desperation, like losing her hurt him more than just his pride. "She's my wife, my property."

"She didn't walk down the aisle, so technically not your wife and she is not your property, Ross. She is a human being." I shot back.

"A human being?" he scoffed. "She isn't, not when I own her."

"That's pathetic of you, Ross."

"You think you can hide her here forever and I'll just walk away?" he said in a threatening tone.

I crossed my arms, my muscles flexing, keeping my face blank. "Mara? I haven't seen her since the hotel though. She ran, man, you scared her off." My lie was smooth, but my heart was racing.

I imagined her upstairs, her legs, that fire in her eyes, waiting for me to keep her safe. Guilt ate at me-it was my fault she got beaten, my fault she didn't trust me. I had to make this right.

He stepped closer, his breath hot, his eyes narrowing. "Bullshit! You took a liking to her, eyeing her at the hotel like some lovesick fool. She's here and I'll tear this place apart to find her." His voice got quieter, a hidden threat, and he was losing control. "You don't steal what's mine without a fight, Luca. I'll burn you down."

My smirk disappeared, and anger flared. The whole memory of how he had hit her, her blood on the rug, fueled me. "You don't deserve her; you piece of shit. Hitting her? That's a coward move. She left for her own good, and you should let her go."

He laughed, a cold, mean sound, stepping into my space. His smell was strong. "Let her go? She's nothing without me, a weak little slut who'll crawl back. You think you can save her? Play hero? She'll mess you up too." His words were indeed very sharp, but I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes, like he knew she was stronger than he wanted to admit.

I pushed him back, my hands itching to punch him. "She's not yours to break. You lost her when you hit her. Get the hell out!" my voice boomed, echoing in the hall.

My body was tensed, ready to throw him through the wall as her image flashed in my mind-bruised, defiant, her lips so close. Damn it, I wanted her, but I wanted to fix what I broke.

He stumbled then caught himself. His grin was twisted. "You're soft, Luca, always were. Hiding her won't save her, I'll find her. And when I do, she'll wish she never ran." His voice dropped, a promise of pain. His eyes became dark with something evil, something that made my blood run cold. "You'll regret this, brother. You know I don't lose."

My jaw tightened, as guilt and anger fought inside of me. "Threaten me again, and you won't walk out of here. Leave!"

I stepped forward, getting close to him, my height gave me an advantage, and my stare was a warning. He held my gaze, then turned and walked loudly towards the door.

He paused, looking back, his voice low and full of venom. "This isn't over! She's mine, and I'll take her back, piece by piece." The door slammed shut, sounding like a gunshot.

I was left alone, breathing heavily, my hands shaking. I had bought her some time, but for how long? Ross wasn't bluffing-he'd hunt her down, and I had messed up once already.

I climbed the stairs, my heart pounding. Her face was in my mind: those hazel eyes, that body I couldn't touch but craved.

Guilt still eating inside me for betraying her at the hotel, my hesitation and letting Ross hurt her. I couldn't let it happen again, not like last time.

Anna's screams from years ago flashed into my mind. The night I failed to protect my sister from her husband, the night I promised myself I'd never fail again.

Saving Mara was my chance to make things right, to keep her safe, to keep her from breaking like my sister did. But what if I messed up again?