Page 46 of His UnBearable Touch

You should be home like a good little girl.

Where have you been sleeping?

You won’t like it when I find you.

Haven’t you been hurt enough?

When she finished the last word she felt weak, empty. If she could have summoned up the energy she would have shaken like a leaf.

Lance.

“Allegra?”

She heard someone saying her name, but in her head… it was Lance.

“Allegra? Do you remember me?”

Remember? How could she forget?

The last thing she’d ever seen was his face.

“Allegra?” Warm hands settled on her arms, burning her. She was cold. So very cold.

“Allegra? Stellina, talk to me.”

Valerio. His name came to her like a sigh, warming her heart. He was close. Very close.

“Say something, please?”

He was so gentle with her. Caring and sweet. She wanted to answer him, but what was left inside of her heart and mind was a jumble of feelings, fear wrestling the others under for control. Dread was a close second. Dread numbed her heart and slowed her heartbeat, dragging her under.

“Should- should we call her doctor?”

Allegra heard the concern in Natale’s voice and blinked back a tear.

Why wasn’t this behind her?

“Why won’t he stay away?”

Oh God, the words had tumbled out of her, nearly an octave out of her normal range. She was stunned and shocked when her body started to shake, as if it had finally remembered to catch up to the rest of the insanity.

“Hasn’t he taken enough from me?”

She was suddenly tight in the arms of her mate, his gentle hands smoothing her dress around her body. There was an odd expectant silence in the room. She wanted to say something to ease their worry, but she couldn’t speak beyond the knot in her throat. If Lance was the one who had sent the present, he could be anywhere.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“I know, my love.” Valerio nuzzled his cheek against hers and she breathed in his scent.

The warm spice of his skin soothed her nerves, heated her skin, cleared some of her head.

“I’m taking her to bed.” Valerio’s statement garnered no argument and moments later the door clicked closed behind them and he moved for the bed.

“Wait. Stop.”

He did what she asked, stopping just a second after she asked and waited, listening to her.

“I’d like to take a shower, pl-”

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