Chapter 40

It was a dare. One I would be stupid to take. With shaking hands, I took off my T-shirt and bra and dropped my shorts and panties to the floor. Covering myself with my hands and arms as best I could, I walked into the shower, keeping my eyes on my bare feet.

"Come here, amore."

Swallowing hard, I inched my way under the water as Luca moved out of the way. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but it definitely wasn't what happened.

He didn't scold me for covering up or force me to drop my arms. Instead, he carefully guided me back beneath the spray, urging me to tilt my head back with a tight grip on my long hair. When all of the strands were wet, he lathered it up with shampoo, and I had to fight back a moan as his long fingers massaged my scalp with just the right pressure.

Once my hair was clean and rinsed, he soaped up the shower pouf and stepped behind me to wash my back. I stiffened and tried to turn around, but he kept one hand on my bare shoulder, holding me still as he scrubbed my skin in slow circles. It felt so good that I finally just dropped my chin and let him do it. When I'd relaxed somewhat, he moved down to my ass and legs.

I stood there like a child and let him wash me, my mind devoid of thought except for how good it felt to let someone take care of me for a change. His movements were straightforward and functional, and other than the fact that he was touching me more intimately than anyone had in a long, long time, he kept the whole thing surprisingly business-like.

Something lazy and warm began to heat my insides. It started low in my belly and twisted through my body until my skin was so sensitive the glide of the soapy pouf left a trail of fire in its wake so hot the water had to cool me down. I knew it was fucked up. How could I feel anything but anger after what he'd just done to me in the gym?

And yet, I did.

"Turn around."

My head snapped up at the huskiness of his voice, and I froze. Standing beneath the water with him behind me, it took me a moment to understand that despite his tone, he was giving me the choice to do as he said. I had no doubt at all that if I didn't obey him, he would get frustrated and either force me to turn around or he'd just walk around me and do what he wanted to anyway, but still, he gave me the illusion of a choice.

I turned around.

The water was now at my back, and Luca reached around me to wet the pouf and add more soap. As I stood with my arms covering my breasts, he gently washed my face and neck, then my shoulders and arms. There, he stopped and waited, his eyes on my face.

I stared at him for a long time, knowing this was the first step of my surrender. Then I dropped my arms.

VEDA

H e left me sitting in the bathroom. Before walking out, he grumbled something about helping myself to whatever I could find to wear until he could get me some clothes. So I guess he wasn't kidding about feeling free to play in his closet.

I'm really going to die.

The thought hit me out of nowhere, and I took a shuddering breath. There was no other outcome I could see happening in this scenario. Once Luca had my sister, I would be nothing but a risk to his identity and location. Someone who saw too much. Knows too much. He would have to kill me. He would have no other choice. Not only could I go to the police, I would be bait for his enemies—and a man like him would have many—to torture into giving up details about Luca. And I highly doubted they would treat me as a "guest" in their home the way Luca did, as far as that went anyway. I knew I could have it much worse.

As soon as he'd confirmed my suspicions about who he was and what he did for a living, the truth had hit me like I’d just been slapped in the face with a fish.

There’s no way I’m getting out of this alive.

I don't know how long I sat there trying to wrap my mind around this realization. I heard Luca get dressed and leave the bedroom, but not before he called someone and asked them to bring me some coffee and food. Reluctant to encourage the passing of time, I stayed frozen where I was until I heard a knock just before the door opened.

"Hello? Miss Calbert?" a female voice called out.

Rising from the chair, I shuffled to the bedroom to find an older woman with short, salt and pepper hair setting a tray on the small table by the patio doors. She was wearing dark slacks, comfortable shoes, and a mint green, short-sleeved pullover top.

When the things on the tray were arranged to her liking, she stood and turned toward me, a pleasant smile on her round face. Deep lines were carved around her eyes and mouth. It lit up her entire face. "Hi!" she said brightly. Striding toward me, she put out her hand. "I'm Lisa. I work for Mr. Morelli."

I took her hand more out of habit than anything else. "Veda.” I cocked my head to the side. “So that’s his full name?"

She held my hand as a look of surprise crossed her face. "Um, well, I hope so. Because that's what I've been calling him for six years." Then she smiled and released my hand. "I brought you some coffee with sugar and cream on the side since I wasn't sure how you liked it. Or do you prefer tea?" When I shook my head, she continued. "I also brought you a bagel and some cream cheese and jelly."

"I'm not much of a breakfast eater," I told her.

"Me, either," she responded. "But we'll just leave this here in case you get hungry."