Page 156 of The Hunter's Empire

"Nico." I step closer, resting a hand lightly against his arm. "Please."

For a long moment, he doesn't react. Then, almost reluctantly, his grip loosens, and he releases Sebastian.

Relief barely has time to settle before Sebastian lets out a bitter laugh.

"So this is him." His gaze drifts from Nico back to me, revulsion twisting his features.

"So this is what you really are." A humorless laugh escapes him. "I almost married a woman who spreads her legs for the first man who gives her attention."

Before I can react, Nico turns around. His fist crashes into Sebastian's face in one clean, brutal movement. The crack of cartilage echoes through the empty road as Sebastian stumbles backward, blood pouring freely from his broken nose.

Nico doesn't spare him another glance.

Instead, he walks straight toward me. His eyes briefly settle on the angry red marks around my wrist before he opens one of the motorcycle's side cases and removes a spare helmet.

Without a word, he gently settles it over my head. His fingers work beneath my chin, fastening the strap with practiced efficiency before giving it a small tug to make sure it's secure.

Only then does he climb onto the motorcycle and steady it beneath him. He glances back over his shoulder, waiting until our eyes meet.

"Get on."

I don't hesitate. I climb onto the seat behind him, and the moment my arms slip around his waist, he gives me just enough time to settle before lowering his visor. The engine growls to life beneath us, vibrating through the frame of the motorcycle.

Nico twists the throttle and pulls away, leaving Sebastian standing alone beside his car, blood running down his face as we disappear into the darkness.

Chapter 34

Domenico

Iremain on the sofa long after the city has settled into silence, my gaze fixed on the woman sleeping against me. Somehow, the sight still feels unreal. The same woman who never lets anyone close enough to see her break is curled against my chest beneath a blanket, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist, her fingers still gripping my shirt even in sleep as though letting go isn't an option.

The strain of the evening is written across her face. Her eyelashes are still damp from tears, and every so often I feel the faintest tremor run through her body before it disappears beneath the steady rhythm of her breathing.

I had convinced myself staying away from her was the right decision. Distance was supposed to make everything easier. Then the footage surfaced.

I heard Sebastian's voice through the phone and instinct took over before thought had the chance to catch up. The ride across the city is little more than fragments in my memory now. Flashing traffic lights, the roar of my motorcycle, and one relentless thought repeating itself over and over. Get to her.

By the time I brought her here, she had nothing left to hold herself together with. She hadn't cried the way people usually cry. It was quieter than that. More devastating. Every ounce of composure she'd carried for years had finally given way, and all I could do was hold her until exhaustion claimed what grief refused to release.

When she finally stirs, her eyes remain unfocused for a moment before finding mine. "How long was I asleep?"

"A few hours."

She exhales slowly and lets her head fall back against my chest. "I still feel exhausted."

"I know."

Before I can say anything else, Matteo quietly enters the room carrying dinner. He sets the plates down without a word, offering me a brief nod before disappearing as discreetly as he arrived.

The smell of food barely earns a glance from her. "I'm not hungry."

"I didn't ask."

She looks up at me with tired annoyance. "Nico..."

"You haven't eaten since this afternoon."

"I'm not going to starve."