by Anna Hackett
Luca’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
“I have the perfect bait.”
His dark brows drew together, storm clouds gathering in his gaze. “No—”
“It makes sense—”
“No!” Luca roared.
She stared him down. “You know that I’m the perfect bait.”
Luca had known rage all his life, but the icy fury coursing through him now was overwhelming. “No.”
Rayne moved to the bar and hitched herself up on the countertop. She crossed her legs. “I don’t follow your orders.”
“You work for me.”
She waved a hand in the air. “That’s my cover job.”
He took one menacing step closer. “I could make you do as I say.”
She shook her head. “I see everyone else bow and scrape to the great Luca Venti. I’m not joining that crowd.”
A part of him wanted to grab her and turn her over his knee, and smack that shapely rump of hers. But he knew it wouldn’t be about punishment. It would be all about pleasure. He released a long breath.
She jiggled one foot. “I think the best way is if I openly use my powers. That should get Caecius’ attention.”
“No.” Luca felt a burn of frustration. Usually that one word worked perfectly for him. But not on Rayne.
“We can set up an ambush,” she continued. “Once he’s noticed me, I can lead him to you.”
Luca took another step, his hips bumping into her legs. “No.”
“You know I’m right. It’s not only a good plan, it’s the best plan.” She leaned forward. “Let’s end this. Send Caecius back to his prison before he hurts more people. There’s enough violence in this world—” her voice hitched, something dark moving through her eyes “—without the Tempest Winds adding to it.”
Luca nudged her legs apart and stepped between them. “Who hurt you?”
She pulled in a slow, shaky breath. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Luca lowered his voice. “Who hurt you, cara?”
Her eyelids fluttered closed. “It wasn’t me. It was my sister.”
“I’m sorry.” He loved his brothers. Watching them suffer as they hunted their Tempest Winds and battled their vices tore him apart. Now two were safe, but Luca knew his youngest brother, Soren, was spiraling into the depths of greed.
“My father left when I was young. Skye was only a few years old. My mother…met a man a few years later.” Rayne pressed a palm to her belly.
Luca grabbed her hand and tangled his fingers with hers. He wished he could go back and change things for her.
“He was nice enough at first. But then I started hearing him and my mother fighting. She tried to hide the black eyes and the bruises. A few years later, he started hitting me. I had a smart mouth.” Green eyes shimmered. “He hit me where no one would see the bruises.”
Luca fought to keep his touch gentle, but his gut was hollow. She’d watched him fight those men in the alley, and then Caecius. Did Rayne look at him and see the monster from her past?
“I tried to tell mom, but she wouldn’t listen. Then when Skye was around twelve, my beatings eased up.” Rayne’s hand gripped his, her nails digging into his skin. “I should have realized, but I was just so damned thankful not to limp to school every day. Skye had always been quiet, shy, but then she became completely withdrawn.”
Luca cursed.
Rayne’s lips trembled. “The bastard was raping her. In the room next to mine, for months, and I didn’t know. I didn’t protect her.”
Luca shook with rage. “Your mother?”
Rayne tossed her head back and swallowed. “She had to have known. If he wasn’t in her bed, where the hell did she think he was? But in her usual fashion, she ignored it.”
Luca cupped Rayne’s face. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Skye never recovered. I do everything I can to protect her. She likes her solitude, she’s so withdrawn.” Rayne lifted her chin. “Now you know why I won’t stand by and do nothing about the Tempest Winds. It’s my duty to help as well. Please, let me help you catch Caecius.”
Dio, she’d hit him with a low blow. “Damn you.”
How could he say no to the plea in her eyes after hearing her reasons? He wanted to kick something.
“Fine,” he snapped.
She smiled. “Thank you, Luca.”
“We’ll carry out your plan, but only after we go through some contingencies. I will not risk your life. I will not let him get close enough to hurt you.”
Her smile was blinding. “Deal, Warrior.” She leaned forward and kissed him.
This time, the kiss wasn’t in the middle of a fight. Luca took his time, taking her mouth, savoring the taste of her. But like anything with Rayne, the kiss ignited. She wrapped one long leg around his waist and hauled him closer. He groaned, and felt the prick of her nails on his skin as she kissed him back.
Somehow, he dredged up enough control to lift his head and break the kiss. A part of him—a hard, hungry part—wanted to wrap his arms around her and take her to bed. More than anything, he wanted to strip her naked and explore her toned, oh-so-tempting body.
But another part of him wanted to keep her safe.
“We need to get some sleep.” He wouldn’t have her going after Caecius after being awake all night.
She frowned. “Luca—”
“You need some rest. I won’t have you hurt.”
“But—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “No buts. Rest or you aren’t part of the plan.”
“God, you are infuriatingly bossy sometimes.”
He smiled. “I think you like it.”
She snorted. “Keep dreaming, Warrior.”
“You aren’t giving me the evil assistant stare you’ve graced me with so many times this week. That means you agree with me.”
Rayne blew out a breath. “I wouldn’t get used to that. Okay, I’ll sleep, but after that, we go catch us a bad guy.”
Chapter Five
“It’s perfect.” Rayne stared at the small, dead-end canal in the early morning light. Buildings closed in on all sides. “Despite being too pretty to be the perfect location for a trap.”
Luca didn’t say anything. He was crouched by the water’s edge. Brooding.
No, he wasn’t seeing the lovely old buildings with their faded butter-yellow paint, or the arched windows, some filled with jaunty flower boxes. No, he stared at the still, murky water like it would give him the answers he needed.
“I don’t like this,” he bit out.
Boy, he did not like it when he didn’t get his own way. “Luca, it’s a good plan. I’ll find a boat and take it out on the Grand Canal. I’ll use my breeze to whip things up and put on a little show. Once I have Caecius’ attention, I’ll lead him back here, right to you.” She’d thought it through during the night while she’d been tossing and turning.
Instead of having a good night’s sleep, she’d been far too conscious of the fact that Luca had been in the room next to hers. It’d been too easy to imagine his big naked frame sprawled in the small guest bed.
Luca didn’t respond, still staring at the water.
She sighed. “I’ll act like I’m trying to escape him. He won’t suspect a thing.”
Luca rose in a fluid move that made her want to lick her lips. “I still don’t like this. I don’t want you hurt.”
She touched his arm and felt his tense muscles under her fingers. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it a long time.”
He wrapped his hand around hers. “I know. But I have this strange urge to take care of you.”
Rayne’s belly flip-flopped. No one had ever wanted to take care of her before.
He tugged her closer and she let him. She liked the solid warmth of him. Right now, with gruff concern on his strong, handsome face, it was easy to forget what he battled every moment of every day. Easy to forget who they both were.
His hands slid into her hair. “For so
me reason, the idea of you getting hurt scares me senseless.” He frowned. “And nothing usually scares me.”
Her breath caught in her chest and she felt herself softening—hell, melting. “Luca.” Rayne Santini did not melt.
He dipped his head and his lips brushed hers. A too-brief taste that left hot hunger in her belly.
“Don’t get hurt, bene?” he said.
It took her a moment to find her voice. She couldn’t reconcile that oh-so-gentle kiss with this forceful man. “Bene.”
“You’ll lure him straight here. No detours. No unnecessary risks. If he does something unexpected, it doesn’t change the plan. You come here.”
She pressed her lips together. “Remember we talked about you giving me orders?”
Luca’s arms wrapped around her. One of his thighs slipped between her legs and her entire body lit up.
“Non-negotiable, Rayne. And I’ll be following you on the wind.”
She struggled in his hold. “No. If he senses you, it’ll mess up the entire plan—”
Luca stilled her struggles. “Non-negotiable. Please.”
One tiny word that she knew he didn’t use much. She huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
“I’ll stay far enough back he doesn’t sense me.” Luca gave her a rare smile. Damn the man for being so handsome. “I told you that I could get you to follow my orders.”
She made a choked noise and slammed her hands against his chest. “Arrogant man—”
He laughed and picked her up. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his waist. His mouth slammed down on hers.
Oh, God. His firm, full lips moved over hers. The force of the kiss pushed her head back, and his tongue raided her mouth. She thrust her own against his, tongues tangling. Her hands slid into his hair and tugged on the dark curls. With a groan, Luca backed her against the wall of the nearest building.
The kiss went on, leaving them both breathless. Rayne writhed against him, her body on fire. She was shamelessly rubbing against his firm thigh.
She had no idea how much time had passed before he broke the kiss. He rested his forehead on hers and she was damned pleased to hear his raspy breathing.
“Stay safe,” he growled.
She nodded. “You, too.” She swallowed, trying to get her brain to start firing again. “We need to find a boat. A fast one.”
“I have a boat.”
He grabbed her hand. They moved along canals Rayne had never seen before, moving quickly. They came out on a slightly larger waterway and she saw some boats lined up, tied to a small dock.
Luca led her over to a sleek, little speedboat. It was old-school—all polished wood with a smooth wooden wheel behind the glass windshield.
“She’s stylish on the outside and built for speed on the inside,” he said.
Rayne leaned over and ran a hand across the boat’s sleek wood. “She’s beautiful. Owned by Venti Enterprises?”
He shook his head. “She’s mine. Don’t get to use her much.”
“I’ll take care of her.”
“I don’t care about the boat.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Then she straightened her shoulders. “Ready to lure out an evil Tempest Wind?”
“No. Not like this, but let’s get it over with.”
Luca helped her into the boat and she started the engine, causing the floor to throb beneath her feet. He untied the rope and watched her, his face hard and serious. She tossed him a jaunty salute, breathed deep, then pulled away from the dock.
She revved the boat and zoomed away. She didn’t look back, because a part of her was finding it hard to leave him. Instead, she focused on the task ahead.
She had to take it slow through the smaller canals, but then she turned the wheel and pulled out onto the Grand Canal. She increased speed, zipping past a lumbering vaporetto. God, she loved the throb of the powerful engine and the speed as she raced across the water.
As she zoomed under the arch of the Ponte dell’Accademia, she called on her power and let it loose. She felt her breeze grow, joining the wind generated by the boat. It whipped around her, blowing her hair in her face.
It felt good not to hide her ability, and to enjoy her power. The other Aurae didn’t know what they were missing by hiding their nature. What did it feel like for Luca when he used his ability? To have so much power at his command?
Then she sensed something. She looked up at the bright blue morning sky. The North wind skated over her skin like a cool kiss. She couldn’t see Luca, but she knew he was watching from above. It made her feel…protected. Not so alone.
She felt the strength of his power. How did it feel to have the very thing you loved, a part of you, also try to seduce you? His wind gave him strength but it also inflamed him to fury.
She turned the wheel and directed her wind to skip along the water. She felt a fresh gust of air twine with hers and she smiled. She didn’t think Luca played very often. His wind brushed her face, a cool caress that brought her his crisp scent. Then it was gone.
Okay, back to business. Rayne used her breeze to stir up the water, whipping little white peaks across the usually calm surface. As it turned choppy, she saw the passing boats rock, their passengers gripping the railings. She turned the speedboat in a wide arc, saw water lap at the houses perched on the edge of the canal.
Come on, Caecius. She urged her breeze to reach out over the city. Over the canals, through the alleys and arches and squares. I know you’re here, come and find me.
“Your kind are supposed to be dead.”
With one hand on the wheel, she whirled. She controlled her reaction, but her heart hammered against her ribs. The Tempest Wind stood in the boat behind her, so close she could almost reach out and touch him. She slowed the engine.
Up close, she didn’t think he looked anything like Luca. His bearded face was hard and cold, and there was no hint of humanity in his dark eyes. Rage emanated off him in waves. She knew Luca had the potential for the same in him, but in Caecius, nothing was contained. It leaked out like an ugly toxic spill.
“You didn’t do as good a job of killing us as you thought,” she said.
“We had the best minds of the Renaissance work on the poison. To ensure it would pass from mother to daughter. You should have all died painful deaths lying in your own blood.”
“I’d say I’m sorry to disappoint you…but I’m not.”
He took a step forward, rocking the boat. “I’ll kill you now. I don’t want the Warrior of the North Wind to discover you and use your—” Caecius’ dark gaze slid down her body “—charms to beat his vice.”
“Bring it on, Tempest Wind.” She wrenched the wheel and slammed down on the accelerator.
They surged forward. Caecius lost his balance and fell overboard, but before he hit the water, his body dissolved into the wind.
Rayne whipped around and focused on outrunning the Tempest Wind.
They roared down the Grand Canal and ahead, she spotted the opening of a narrow side canal. She wrenched the wheel and turned sharply into the waterway. She saw the startled faces of onlookers as her boat sprayed water on them.
The Northeast wind slammed into the water ahead, causing huge ripples. The ride turned choppy and Rayne gripped the controls, trying to steady the boat and stay on her feet.
The Warrior will use you. You are just a tool. Let your anger free.
She gritted her teeth, ignoring the frenzied whispers. It was a favorite tactic of the Tempest Winds.
A large wave rose up ahead of her. The boat hit it and went airborne.
Rayne leaned forward and the boat landed with a spray of water. It saturated her hair and clothes. She turned, heading down another waterway. She had to get to the dead-end canal.
Leave here. Protect your own kind.
“Fuck you,” she muttered. She wasn’t her mother and for once, Rayne was doing what she knew was right.
She was helping Luca defeat Caecius. Whatever the cost.
>
So be it.
Suddenly, an enormous wave reared up. She gasped, jerking the wheel. The boat hit the surge and soared into the air.
A harsh wind hit and flipped the boat. Suddenly, Rayne was flying through the air, her arms flailing.
Shit. She put her arms up to protect her face. Wind caught her, tearing at her clothes and hair, prickling her skin like sharp needles. Caecius tossed her higher and a scream lodged in her throat.
The Tempest Wind was going to kill her.
A cold, fierce wind rushed in, the power of it causing water to spray off the canal below. Caecius’ wind disappeared in an instant and Rayne’s momentum slowed.
Then she was falling. Directly down. Fuck.
The wind caught her, taking her upward again. Instantly, she knew it was Luca. As she looked down, she saw her body dissolving.
Oh, God. She didn’t have the power to turn into the wind itself. Luca however, could not only turn himself, but anyone he touched, into the wind.
They turned, heading up and over the Venice rooftops. She was flying!
She couldn’t see or sense Caecius. As Luca streamed them over the heart of Venice, she knew they’d lost the Tempest Wind. For now.
What she could sense was Luca’s icy rage. That left her with one enraged Warrior of the Wind to deal with.
Luca rematerialized outside the Aurae safehouse.
In his head, he kept seeing Rayne flying through the air, at the mercy of Caecius.
“Whoa.” She took solid form in front of him, her hands clutching his shirt to find her balance. “That was incredible! Riding the wind is even better than I imagined.”
Luca stared at her. Her red hair was plastered to her skull and even then, he’d never seen anything as beautiful. “He almost killed you.”
“I’m fine. You caught me.” Her mouth shifted into a frown. “I’m just sorry he got away.”
“I don’t fucking care about Caecius!” The words exploded out of Luca. “You scared the shit out of me, pioggia.” The Italian word for rain slipped out as an endearment.
She narrowed her eyes on him. “Don’t yell at me, Luca. We’re both okay.” She stomped to the door and opened it.
