Page 19 of Devil's Embrace
I stared at him, trying to understand why this mattered to him.Was he looking for leverage?Someone else to threaten?"He left when I told him I was pregnant."Even after all these years, the wound still felt tender."He wanted nothing to do with us.I've raised Mina alone since she was born."
Something shifted in Luca's expression—satisfaction, perhaps, or confirmation of a theory."No grandparents?No family assistance?"
"My parents disowned me when I got pregnant."The admission tasted bitter."Said I'd made my bed and could lie in it.Haven't spoken to them since."
Luca nodded, as if this information pleased him somehow.He closed the folder and placed it back on his desk."That will be all for now.I'll have someone take you back to your room.You'll be allowed to visit with Mina this afternoon, supervised."
Relief flooded me at the prospect of seeing my daughter again, even under their watchful eyes."Thank you.”The words came out automatically, then I immediately regretted the show of gratitude.I shouldn't be thanking my captor for basic decency.
Luca stood and moved toward the door, indicating I should follow.I rose on unsteady legs, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of his study.As I passed him, he placed his hand at the small of my back, guiding me into the hallway.
The touch wasn't forceful—nothing like the bruising grip his men had used the night before.It was light, almost courteous, the way a man might guide a date through a restaurant.But there was something proprietary about it, something that sent an unwelcome shiver up my spine.His hand was large and warm through the thin material of my sweater, a reminder of the physical power he held over me.
We walked in silence down the corridor, his hand remaining at my back.I kept my eyes forward, fighting the urge to pull away, knowing it would only highlight my discomfort.The casual intimacy of the gesture confused me more than outright intimidation would have.What game was he playing?
At my door, he finally removed his hand."Someone will come for you at two o'clock to take you to Mina."
"Why the interest in Mina's father?"I needed to understand something, anything about this situation.
Luca regarded me with those cool blue-gray eyes, unreadable as ever."Let's just say I understand what it means to grow up with absent parents."Without elaborating further, he opened my door and gestured for me to enter."Rest.You'll need your strength for the days ahead."
The door closed behind me with a soft click, followed by the sound of the lock engaging.I sank onto the bed, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.The investigation into my background, the questions about Mina's father, the strange gentleness he showed my daughter—none of it fit the profile of a cold-blooded killer holding us hostage.
But that's exactly what he was.I couldn't forget that, couldn't let myself be lulled into a false sense of security by decent food and soft words.I had to stay alert, had to find a way out for Mina and myself.
Still, as I sat there waiting to see my daughter, I couldn't shake the unsettling awareness of where his hand had rested against my back, or the strange connection he seemed to be forming with Mina.Both left me feeling more confused—and more afraid—than any threat could have.
I should be ready to run, terrified of the man who kept me under lock and key.So why couldn’t I ignore the fact that he was insanely handsome?Or that he’d smelled nice?
“Get a grip, Emory,” I muttered.I hadn’t dated anyone since having Mina.Clearly, I was past due for some affection.Why else would I think my captor looked sexy, even while fearing him?
I pressed my palms against my burning cheeks, horrified by the direction of my thoughts.This was insane.Completely, utterly insane.The man had murdered someone in cold blood, kidnapped my daughter and me, and was holding us prisoner in his fortress-like mansion.The fact that he looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine was irrelevant.
More than irrelevant—it was dangerous thinking that could get us both killed.
I forced myself to focus on what mattered: getting out of here with Mina.But even as I tried to push away the unwanted awareness, I couldn't forget the gentle way he'd cut Mina's pancakes, or how his voice had softened when he spoke to her.The contradiction between the killer I'd witnessed and the man who'd shown such patience with a five-year-old was disturbing in ways I couldn't fully understand.
A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.I straightened, expecting to see Luca again, but instead a different woman entered—older than Clara, with graying hair pulled back in a neat bun and kind eyes that reminded me of my elementary school librarian.
"Miss Scott?I'm Maria, the head housekeeper."Her voice carried a slight accent I couldn't place."Mr.Moretti asked me to check if you need anything."
I studied her face, searching for any hint of what she might know about my situation.Did she understand I was here against my will?Did she know what her employer was capable of?
"I'm fine," I said carefully."Thank you."
She nodded, but didn't leave immediately.Instead, she moved to the window and adjusted the curtains, letting in more natural light."Your daughter is a lovely child.Very polite.She complimented the unicorn pancakes."
My heart clenched."She's always been good about saying please and thank you.I've tried to teach her proper manners."
"It shows."Maria smoothed an invisible wrinkle from the bedspread."She asked about you while she was eating.Wanted to make sure you were having pancakes too.I’m sure it thrilled her when you joined her for breakfast."
Tears pricked my eyes at the image of Mina worrying about me."She's...she's everything to me."
Something shifted in Maria's expression—a flicker of understanding, maybe even sympathy."Children are precious gifts.They should be protected, cherished."
The way she emphasized the words made me wonder if she was trying to tell me something.Before I could ask, she straightened and moved toward the door.
"If you need anything at all, please ring the bell by your bed.I'll come immediately."She paused at the threshold."Mr.Moretti has instructed that you and your daughter are to be treated as honored guests.Those were his exact words."
