She’s repeating herself as though I’m not the one she has to keep reminding. “You’re right,” I agree and head to the door to escape. I pause and turn. “The gift is still yours. I want you to have it. Please.”

  Aurora hesitates, but offers a shallow nod. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t forget about our meeting with Francesca at one,” I tell her before leaving the room and closing the door behind me. I stand there for a minute. “Fuck.”

  As I pass through the living room, my gaze lands on the instrument still lying in its box on the floor. I’d spent half the day yesterday researching acoustic guitars. Brands. Costs. Everything I could find on them.

  The guitar had a special inlay on the front of it with the snowflake images emblazoned on it. The uniqueness of the design caught my eye. It was delicate, and since snowflakes were one of a kind, I figured Aurora would appreciate it.

  I let it lay where it is and head into my office. What the fuck was I thinking kissing her? She’s in an emotional and vulnerable place. Except, I can’t regret it. There’s a spark of attraction between us. I’m willing to wait. She won’t be married to that bastard Costa forever. Once she’s free of him, then all bets are off. Aurora and I are going to figure out what this thing between us is.

  It’s just after twelve, and I still haven’t heard a peep from the living room. I head out there. The guitar is missing, although the box is still propped next to the couch. I’m glad for that, at least. I glance up and Aurora steps into the room. She pauses.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “I think so,” Aurora says with a hint of uncertainty.

  I want to close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her. Comfort her. Let her know that I’ll do everything to protect her. Except I’m not sure she’ll welcome my touch. Not after what happened this morning. Instead I can only reassure her with my words. “You’re safe. I swear it.”

  Some of the tension seems to ease from her body. She nods and follows me down to the garage. The drive is a quiet one. I dart glances in Aurora’s direction, but her gaze is focused on the passing scenery. She doesn’t turn toward me once. What is she thinking?

  I pull into a space down the block from the coffee shop. Aurora is out of the vehicle before I can make my way around to open the door for her. There’s tension back in her and a rigidity to her steps. Her pace is quick as though she’s anxious to get off the street and safely hidden away. It takes only seconds for me to catch up. I reach for her hand and wrap mine around it. She jolts and jerks her head up to meet my gaze, but she doesn’t pull away. Her skin is bitterly cold.

  “It’s going to be okay,” I tell her again. I’ll keep telling her, as often as I need to, until she finally understands. Her pace slows a fraction.

  We reach our destination, and I pull the door open for her. The strong scent of coffee wafts toward us. Heat from inside spills out. My gaze darts around. I quickly spot Francesca at a table in the back with her hands wrapped around a white mug. She glances up and waves us over with a smile on her face.

  Reluctantly, I release Aurora’s hand. Still needing to touch her, I move it to her lower back and guide her through the place until we reach Francesca. She rises and gives me a brief hug before turning her attention to the woman at my side.

  “It’s so nice to see you again.” Francesca’s voice is warm and kind. “I remember you were at my wedding. Plus, I believe we met at some family get-together or another when we were kids.”

  “We did,” Aurora replies with a soft voice. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Well, I’m happy you’re here. Not necessarily for the reason behind it, but I’m glad we can spend some more time together. We are related, after all,” Francesca says with a wry grin. “We shouldn’t be strangers. Why don’t we have a seat?”

  I move away to give them some privacy, but Aurora grabs my hand. “Will you stay? Please.” Her eyes are pleading.

  “Of course.” I ignore the knowing gaze Francesca sends my way and pull out Aurora’s chair. Once she’s settled, I take the seat next to her.

  “Why don’t you tell me what it is you’re looking for,” Francesca begins kindly.

  Next to me, Aurora shifts nervously. She wrings her fingers together in her lap. “I’m not sure. I don’t really know how to do anything.” Even under the bruises, I can tell her cheeks pinken.

  “What about hobbies?” Francesca asks. She keeps her tone soft and gentle.

  Aurora glances in my direction and back to the woman across from her. “Alessandro wouldn’t allow it. I asked him once if I could take guitar lessons.” There’s a pregnant pause. “He made sure I didn’t ask again.”

  The meaning behind that statement sinks in. I want to roar with fury. Punch something. Anything to expel the rage that burns like fire in my gut, eating away at my insides with the hatred it produces.

  Francesca clears her throat at the thick silence that descends. “How would you feel about being part of our welcoming committee?”

  Aurora straightens in her chair. “Welcoming committee?”

  “Yes. We like to have other women who have gone through similar experiences here to welcome newcomers. Show them around. Make them feel comfortable,” she explains. “Some of the committee members share their story so that the new women feel as though they’re not alone. As though someone else understands exactly how they’re feeling and what they’re going through.”

  The whole time Francesca is speaking, Aurora’s expression becomes more animated. Like she’s warming up to the idea. As though she’s feeling more confident about what she can offer. I send Francesca a grateful smile.

  “I could definitely do that,” Aurora says.

  “Wonderful. When would you like to start? We do have a short orientation you’ll need to go through first. More like an introduction to our other volunteers and our permanent residents.”

  Aurora turns toward me with a questioning glance. According to Paddy, his hacker has been working his magic. He’s already started a paperwork trail, noting the transfer of funds from Costa’s bank account into several offshore accounts owned by Casimir Wójcik. One of which is the same one Emilio transferred seventeen million into during his negotiations to get Anya back. It should only be another few days, and the final nail will be placed in his coffin. Then, it’s up to the Italians to get retribution.

  “How about next week?”

  “Will it be safe?” she asks.

  I lay my hand over hers still in her lap. “Remember what I said outside?”

  She nods. “You’ll always protect me.”

  “Next week, then,” I say again.

  Aurora’s eyes scan my face. I hold her stare. Whatever she sees in my eyes lightens her expression. She turns back to Francesca. “Will that work for you?”

  “Of course. Just have Jack bring you by, whenever you’re ready.”

  “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

  Francesca smiles. “Absolutely. Oh, and before I forget. One of the things that has helped the women gain some of their confidence back is teaching them self-defense. We have an instructor that comes in twice a week. If that’s something you’re interested in, you’re more than welcome to join the class.”

  “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

  “Of course.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a business card. “Here’s my phone number. Call me anytime.”

  We say our goodbyes and head back to the car. Aurora’s steps are much lighter than when we arrived. The ride back to the penthouse is also entirely different. She is much more animated.

  “I can’t believe it,” she exclaims. “She actually offered me a job.”

  Her excitement is adorable. I let my eyes wander over her features before returning to the road. The bruises on her face are slightly fading and turning from purple to green, except around her one eye. It’s still a dark purplish-blue. It seems as though her cheeks are a little fuller than they were a little over a week ago when I first saw her again. She’s still far too thin, but give her another month or two and she’ll put some much needed weight back on.

  “Of course she did. I think you’ll be perfect for it as well.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Absolutely. You’re friendly—except when you’re busting balls—and they’ll be lucky to have you.”

  Aurora sputters with laughter. “You are never going to let me live that down, are you?”

  I glance over at her with a cheeky grin. “Not a chance.”

  She shakes her head good-naturedly, but her expression falls a little. “I like the idea of taking a self-defense course.”

  “I sense some hesitation there, though.”

  “I’ve never been very coordinated. Or athletic. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable with everyone watching me,” she admits. Then she inhales deeply. “Do you think you could teach me instead?”

  Her request gives me pause. My brothers and I learned how to fight. We’d scrapped with each other and been in more than one argument that ended with traded blows. But to teach someone how to fight? To teach Aurora how?

  She reaches across the console and lays her hand on my arm. I look over at her. “Please, Jack.” Those chocolate eyes sear into mine. Her plea is quiet and earnest. Goddamnit. I can’t say no to her. I’m not sure she realizes the power she has over me.

  I turn my gaze back to the road. “Fine. I’ll show you a few things.”

  “Thank you. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  I’m not sure that’s a promise she can keep. I’m already having trouble keeping my hands off her. Showing her how to defend herself? It’s going to involve touching. A lot of it. I only hope I’m strong enough to resist the temptation she unknowingly offers.

  Chapter 29

  Aurora

  * * *

  Sweat pours down my face as we stand in the middle of the living room. The two couches have been pushed to the perimeter of the room and the burnished pewter coffee table moved as well. It’s opened up the space where Jack and I have been using as a sparring area. We’ve been at this training for days with little success.

  I’m terrible at it.

  “You’re not going to be able to overpower anyone, so you have to surprise them. Then you can worry about disabling them for long enough to get away. That’s more important than trying to beat them with strength,” he instructs for at least the fifth time.

  “Why can’t I figure this out?” I whine.

  Jack, who’s been far more patient with me than I would be, straightens. “It will come. You’re not going to learn everything in a day. Or three. It takes practice. I want you to learn several tricks and work on them over and over again. That way, they come naturally if the time ever comes that you need to use them. You won’t have to think about it. Your body will automatically react.”

  I glare at him with hands on my hips. “You make it sound way too easy.”

  His smirk makes me glare harder. “Maybe you’re making it sound too hard.”

  I gasp in mock horror. “The nerve.”

  “I’m just telling you how I see it.” Jack shrugs nonchalantly.

  My eyes narrow. Before I can think about what I’m doing, I charge. My intention is to barrel my shoulder into his gut, but only in a playful gesture. Except, I trip and manage to plow head first into his chest, catching him off guard.

  Jack stumbles backward and my momentum keeps us going. We both land on the floor with an oof, and I’m sprawled on top of him. Strong hands grip my hips. I have to catch my breath.

  “I’m sorry,” I gasp out as I try to push myself up.

  His hands tighten. The hard line of his erection digs into me. I freeze and glance down to meet his eyes. Jack’s expression is pained. “Give me a second,” he grinds out.

  One second turns into several. His heart beats rapidly beneath me. I can’t pull my gaze away from his. The air between us crackles with an energy that’s been building with every touch over the last three days. His eyes darken. My nipples harden and my core throbs.

  We move at the same time. Our lips crash against each other’s. I thread my fingers through his hair, holding him to me. It’s as soft as I imagined it to be. Jack’s hands clutch my ass tightly, pulling me closer into the vee of his legs. The rigid line of his cock lines up with my center. I can’t help but rub myself against it. The friction feels so good.

  He digs deeper into my ass cheeks, squeezing and kneading them. My hips move on their own. Jack captures my gasp in his mouth. My whole body is on fire. The heat from his kiss only serves to fan the flames. I’m burning up. I itch to tear off my clothes and let the wetness of his mouth cool me down. The thought of being skin to skin only ramps up my arousal.

  Jack deepens the kiss, his tongue lashing against mine. I continue grinding my pelvis against his, desperate for the bliss that awaits. Rational thought threatens to intrude, but I push it away. Every bit of pleasure has been taken from me. For once I want to experience euphoria. No fear. No guilt. No regrets.

  Nothing beyond this can happen again. Even lying here, chasing the ecstasy, is more than I should be doing. But I’m going to do one thing for me. To give myself a memory to cherish and pull out in the future.

  I want to feel loved.

  Jack makes me feel that way.

  If my life were different, maybe we could be different, too. I can’t think about the future. I can only focus on this moment. Here, with him. I press myself closer, savoring the flavor of him. The smell of him. How he feels underneath me.

  The tension coils tighter inside me. I’m on the edge of a razor-sharp knife. I want to experience its bite. I rock my hips a few more times until the sting of pleasure-pain hits me. A cry spills from my lips. Jack swallows it down. He shudders. I tremble. My core clutches on emptiness begging to be filled.

  As I float down from the glorious high, I wait for the shame. It doesn’t come. Instead, a light buzz sings across my skin and a burst of happiness surges, glowing brighter. I lift my head to stare down at him. Jack brushes the damp tendrils of hair off my forehead and presses another soft kiss against my mouth.

  “Are you okay?” His question is gentle, tentative.

  “I probably shouldn’t be, but I am. I think I’m more okay than I have been in a really long time.”

  Jack gently rolls us to the side and climbs to his feet. He reaches down and helps me off the floor. I can’t bring myself to let go of him. A ribbon of defiance is starting to unravel inside me. Alessandro had tried to beat it out of me, but maybe he only temporarily silenced it. Being out from under his abuse has ignited the spark.

  It’s so subtle, I’m not sure it’s truly there, or just a kernel of wishful thinking, but I could swear what just happened has caused a shift in me. Gone is the meek creature I’ve been made into. In its place is a swirling mass of repressed anger circling and ready to explode.

  “I’m ready to try again,” I tell Jack. “The fighting.”

  He studies me and must see the determination in my eyes, because he nods. “Again.”

  I give him my back. My eyes close, and I take a deep breath, envisioning how I need to move. His arms clamp around me. I slam my head back causing his grip to loosen at the same time I scissor my arms, breaking his hold on me. He curses loudly, and I spin. Jack’s holding his nose and blood pours from around his fingers.

  “Oh my god. I’m so sorry,” I mumble through my hand over my mouth.

  I follow him into the kitchen—my apologies continuing—where he grabs a towel and places it over his face. Feeling the need to do something, I rush to get a baggie and fill it with ice to help with the swelling.

  “Nice jab,” he says, the words almost indistinguishable behind the fabric barrier. There’s a nasal quality to his voice. But even more, there’s pride.

  “I really am sorry,” I say again, handing him the modified ice pack. “I thought I’d hit your chin.”

  He takes it, but waves off my concern. “Don’t be. You did great. There was no hesitation or thinking. You reacted instinctively. It’s my fault that I bent down to give you some pointers. You clearly didn’t need them.”

  Pride swells at his praise. I soak in every kind word Jack has given me. I’m coming to terms with how starved for them I am. The same with his kisses and all the small touches. I’ve been impatiently waiting to hear back from Brenna about how things are going with the divorce.

  Paddy stopped by yesterday to drop off paperwork for me to sign for the lawyer. I’m not asking for anything from Alessandro. No money. Nothing from the house. I just want him to let me go.

  Chapter 30

  Jack

  * * *

  My nose throbs, but at least it’s stopped bleeding.

  Still, I’m proud of Aurora. It’s obvious she doesn’t have much confidence in herself. There are moments when I feel as though it’s coming back to her, but she stifles it. Like she’s afraid to let the old her come out.

  “I stink,” she says as she pulls at the collar of her shirt and gives it a sniff.

  “You’ve been working out hard today. It’s good for you to sweat a little.”

  “That’s easy enough for you to say. Men are supposed to sweat. Us women aren’t meant to do more than glisten.”

  I just shake my head. It’s a ridiculous societal concept that has been put into women’s minds. Aurora’s laughter fades and she has this look as though she wants to say something. Whatever it is she musters herself, because her expression turns determined.

  “Can I ask you for a favor?”

  “Of course.” As if she even needs to ask. She should have figured that out by now.

  Aurora raises her casted arm. “I haven’t been able to wash my hair since I’ve been here, because of this dumb thing. Lucia helped me before, but since she isn’t here….” She pauses a beat. “Is there any way you could do it for me? Please?”