by Anna Hackett
The only thing on Rayne’s face was stubborn determination. No fear. No anxiety. She was doing a job, and as she’d told him, she could look after herself.
Luca turned and forced himself to focus on finding Caecius. He ran into a mob of men who were beating each other bloody. He chopped a hand to the back of one, sending him to his knees. He grabbed another and tossed him aside. A man charged at him with a wild cry, but Luca grabbed him, spun and threw him away. The final fighters turned and stumbled back into the crowd.
Striding through the crowd, he searched for any sign of the Tempest Wind. With so many people in the campo, Luca couldn’t detect any individual scents. There was too much blood, sweat, fear and anger.
He spied one man on the ground, sobbing into his hands. His face was covered in blood. In front of him lay the body of a woman, her eyes staring sightlessly skyward.
Luca’s gut was heavy. This ended. Here and now.
He called up the North Wind and sent it out over the crowd. A part of him was worried about Rayne but he clenched his teeth and continued on.
But with every step, the aggression filling the square pushed in on him like a putrid cloud. His wind soaked with the rage and it punched through his veins. Two men charged at him and this time, he welcomed the fight.
He slammed one man into the crowd behind him. The other punched Luca, hitting him in the side of the head, and snapping Luca’s head back.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Luca slammed his elbow into the man’s gut and followed with a hard punch. Hurt him. Punish him. Let your anger free.
Luca dragged the man high into the air. He wanted to keep hitting, keep punching, keep hurting. No. Fight it. Chest heaving, he dropped the man.
The crowd ahead parted and Caecius strode forward. “I thought I had you there for a second.”
Luca dragged in some deep breaths and remained silent.
Caecius cocked his head. “You’re more ruthless than your brothers. You’re stronger and don’t need help with your vice. You rule it, use it.”
Luca felt the words slide in under his skin. He was strong. All his life he’d worked to control every aspect of his life.
Caecius raised a brow. “Let’s see how much control you really have, Warrior.”
As the Tempest Wind launched forward, Luca was already moving to meet him.
They slammed together in a brutal collision. Luca reared back and kicked out. Caecius blocked him. They traded kicks, hits, and vicious punches.
Their winds rose up, swirling around them, like spectators egging on a fight. Luca didn’t hold anything back. He had to protect Rayne, Venice and her people, his brothers. It was his duty to use all his strength to end the Tempest Wind.
A brutal side kick sent Caecius stumbling back. Luca’s face was grim. You have him. Drive him down.
“I won’t stop until Venice is a bloodbath.” Caecius’ smile was nasty. “I love the color red.”
Luca advanced, power singing through him. He slammed a blow into Caecius’ face, causing the Tempest Wind to curl in on himself. Yes. Luca’s anger was alive, a writhing beast that wanted prey. He was stronger. He would win.
Caecius laughed, his teeth covered in blood. “I won’t kill your lovely Aurae though. I have special plans for her.”
The words enraged Luca. He kept punching Caecius and it felt so good.
The North Wind, charged with power, swirled into a funnel, creating a large tornado above them.
Caecius’ laughter rang out. “That’s it, Warrior. More, give me more.”
Luca let out a roar and lifted his fist, his knuckles torn and bloody. He was the Warrior of the North Wind. He was power. The wind tore at his hair, tossing it around his face.
He would end this, whatever the cost.
He slammed another blow into Caecius’ smiling face.
Rayne saw the slowly spinning funnel of wind rising high above the campo. Beautiful, deadly, and out-of-control.
Luca. She sprinted toward it. He was losing control. She leaped over fallen bodies and slammed through fighters. As she neared, she saw Luca and Caecius locked in a fierce fight. Luca had knocked the Tempest Wind down and was pummeling him.
Rayne didn’t pause. She continued her headlong rush and rammed into Luca’s back.
They sailed over Caecius and hit the ground. The impact forced the air out of her lungs. Luca flipped, baring his teeth like a wild animal, and raised his fist.
For the briefest second, dark memories of her stepfather filled her head. She tasted bile before she stomped those memories down. This was Luca, and she wasn’t a defenseless girl anymore. He needed her help.
She jammed her arm against his, then bucked up, knocking him off her. They rolled and Rayne ended up on top. She gripped his wrists and slammed them down. “Luca!”
His eyes were icy white, no hint of blue in them.
He shoved upward and she flew off him, landing in a sprawl on the ground. He stalked to her, fisted his hand in her shirt and dragged her to her feet. There was no recognition in his eyes.
“Luca, it’s Rayne. The rage is taking you over. Come back to me.”
“I am the Warrior of the North Wind.”
She leaned closer, her heart rapping hard against her ribs. “You’re also Luca. My Luca. Let me help you.”
She thought she saw a flicker of blue in his eyes, but then it was gone.
“I am a Warrior. I need no help.” He shoved her aside.
Oh, no, you don’t. She swung in front him and grabbed his face in her hands. She yanked him down and slammed her mouth against his.
He went still. His hands wrapped around her arms, his fingers flexing. She felt his lips move under hers.
Then she heard harsh laughter. “A powerful Warrior distracted by a simple woman. So sad to see power wasted.”
Luca ripped his mouth from hers. His cold gaze settled on the man watching them. Rayne turned her head and saw Caecius had a shit-eating grin on his face.
“The woman needs your protection, Warrior. She can hardly help you. Her power is minuscule compared to yours.”
Luca growled.
“You want to fight?” Caecius continued. “Then fight me. Don’t hide behind a woman.”
“Luca, don’t listen to him—”
Luca moved his arm and the North Wind whipped around them.
“Rayne.” The word sounded ripped from him.
“I’m here, Luca. Fight the anger.”
“You are anger, Warrior. If she stays near you, you’ll hurt her.” Ugly pleasure edged Caecius’ words.
“Shut the fuck up,” Rayne snapped.
“Almost…hurt you.”
She looked back at Luca, panic trickling into her veins. “I’m fine, we need—”
“I am the Warrior. I have to stop this.”
Her stomach clenched. “No, let me help—”
“I do not need your help.”
The wind arrowed right at Rayne, slamming into her with brutal force. She found herself skidding back across the square, like she was ice-skating. The wind stung her eyes and she swallowed a curse. She heard doors slam open and she tumbled into a building. It looked like some sort of office with a pretty lobby. The doors slammed closed, trapping her in the darkness.
Stupid man. She called Luca a few choice names for falling for the Tempest Wind’s taunts. She tried the heavy wooden doors, but they didn’t budge. The wind was holding them closed. She pummeled her fists against them.
Her eyes were dry but burning. No way she’d let the tears fall. He’d trapped her in here, sidelined her, just like her mother and the Aurae had all her life.
She tried the windows, but they had heavy shutters over them. There was no way out.
She’d bared her soul to Luca. He knew she needed to act, to fight, to help. And he’d fallen back on his arrogant, power-driven ways. Rayne dropped her forehead to the doors. Outside, she heard the shouts, screams, and fighting. And here she was, useless.
She�
�d believed she’d seen something in Luca Venti. Instead she’d been just as blind as when her stepfather had been hurting Skye. Just seeing what she wanted to see.
With a heavy heart, Rayne dropped to the floor. God, it felt like a lifetime since she’d exposed her true identity to him, and they’d embarked on this crazy mission. A lifetime since he’d made love to her.
She thought of the way he’d helped his injured staff at the hotel. The worry he felt for his brother. The horror in his face when he realized he’d bruised her. Her heart faltered.
His words in the bell tower echoed in her head.
“Dio, Rayne. I’ve never felt like this…so…”
“It’s okay, Luca. I know.”
“You said earlier that you didn’t want to be used by the Warriors. Didn’t want to be a warm body—”
“Luca—”
“Let me finish. You aren’t.”
He’d pushed her away to protect her. “You idiot, Venti!”
She rose and moved to the windows. She might not be able to open the doors, but her breeze was strong enough to get some damn shutters open. She called on her power and her skin started to glow. Her breeze rose up.
Luca Venti was getting her help whether he wanted it or not.
Chapter Nine
Luca took a hard fist to the stomach. He grunted, gritting his teeth through the pain. Rage had left his vision blurred and all he saw was Caecius.
He had to end this.
But he was so damn tired. Every breath was a battle, every step had pain exploding through him, and every time he hit Caecius, he felt the fury etch into his soul a little deeper.
Luca had never felt more alone than he did now.
Caecius hit him with a vicious roundhouse kick and sent Luca sprawling.
“Oh, I feel it, Warrior. I feel you giving in to the darkness. Isn’t it so good? Don’t you want to feel strong again?”
Suddenly a figure leaped between them, carried on a light breeze. Rayne spun, her boot slamming into Caecius’ chest. The Tempest Wind staggered and Rayne landed in a crouch.
Dio, she was magnificent.
She threw her hands out and her breeze caught the man and sent him flying back into the crowd. She spun, her hot gaze on Luca.
He pushed to his feet. Angry winds swirled around them tearing at their clothes and hair.
“You are mine now, Warrior, not his. I am helping you. And you are accepting my help.”
Her red hair glowed in the light of the flames from a nearby burning building. Her mouth was set in a flat line, her eyes daring him to challenge her.
Luca felt the overwhelming need to protect her, shield her. “I am not used to following orders—”
She stalked up to him and shoved him in the chest. “Time you learned.”
“Rayne—”
She thumped her fist against his chest. “You shoved me away. You locked me up. You took away my choices.”
He cupped her cheek, his hand shaking. He was so close to breaking. “To protect you. For a second, I wanted to hit you. Caecius is right. There is only anger in me.”
“Caecius is a liar. You’re much, much more.”
“I could hurt you.”
“Would you take pleasure in it?”
“No!”
“Look at me.” There was command in her tone.
He lifted his gaze and met hers. Those green eyes that had challenged him from the first day they’d met.
“I’ve seen that there’s more to you. And I want to see what else you have.” She cupped his cheek. “I’d like to see what movies make you laugh, what books you like to read, if you’re any good at cooking me breakfast.”
He grabbed her now, holding her tight. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Maybe not, Warrior, but you’ve got me. The Aurae were wrong to deny their heritage. It stopped so many of them finding the men meant for them.”
“You think I’m meant for you?”
“Let’s find out.”
Luca pulled her up on her toes and kissed her. It was hard and hungry, and she moaned into his mouth. He reluctantly released her.
“We have to defeat Caecius.” She stepped in beside Luca, letting their arms brush. “But not with anger. You have to defeat him without it.”
Luca wanted to shield her, but realized he had to let her make her choices. He had to stand beside her, as her partner.
He held out his hand.
She put hers into his and together they faced Caecius.
The Tempest Wind strode out of the fighting crowd, blood streaking his face. His narrowed gaze fell to their joined hands. Above the square, wind blasted, stirring up dark clouds in a boiling rush.
“You’ll always fight the rage,” Caecius yelled the words. “It will never leave you. You’ll live in fear that you’ll hurt her.”
“You’re right.” Luca faced his enemy square on. The one before him and the one inside him. “Anger will never leave me. I will always fight it. But I won’t ever stop fighting and I won’t live in fear.” He turned his head to the woman beside him.
Her lips trembled before she firmed them. Her steady gaze never left his.
“I don’t need to be afraid anymore.” Luca lifted their joined hands.
The North Wind rose—powerful, cold, and controlled. Rayne’s own sleek breeze joined it, both of them pushing the other to new heights. He saw her skin start to glow, bright and otherworldly.
Caecius took a stumbling step backward. He watched the fierce gale grow in front of him. He called on his wind, but now the Northeast wind was a pitiful puff of air compared to the combined power of Luca and Rayne.
The Tempest Wind turned to run and Luca thrust his free hand forward. His wind raced forward, spreading over the campo.
It caught the Tempest Wind, threw him high, his body twisting and tumbling in the vortex. As Caecius’ body started to disintegrate—like ash in the air—his scream was carried on the wind.
Then he was gone.
Instantly, the anger and aggression in the air dissipated. The fighting and shouting stopped. Disheveled, dazed people stared around the Campo San Polo.
Luca arched his neck and saw the clouds above break up and disperse. On the horizon, he saw the bright orb of the moon hanging over Venice.
A hand touched his chest. A soft, feminine touch, but one filled with strength.
“It’s over,” Rayne murmured.
Caecius was gone.
Luca felt a burst of pure energy run through him. He’d won. They’d won.
He scooped Rayne into his arms and her legs wrapped around his hips.
“Thank you, Rayne Santini.”
“We did this together, Warrior.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” He kissed her, long and deep, until her hands were buried in his hair.
She lifted her head, panting. “I’m going to get that engraved and put on the wall.”
He barked out a laugh. He felt lighter than he’d felt in so long. Then he heard the sobs, cries and groans around them. He set her down.
“We need to help the injured.”
She nodded. “Come find me when you’re done, Warrior.”
As the rising sun spread her soft golden rays over Venice, Luca sighed. He was tired to the bone.
The campo was almost empty, the last of the polizia and paramedics helping the remaining injured people. He strode across the cobblestones and saw Rayne with one shoulder pressed to a pillar, staring out across the City of Bridges. So strong yet so alone.
He started toward her, and she sensed him and spun. Dark circles ringed her eyes. She was exhausted. “You should get some rest.” His tone was dark.
“Ah, there’s my sweet, pleasant warrior.” She smiled. “I was waiting for you.”
He heaved out a breath. “So many people hurt and dead.”
She moved to him. “I know. But they will rebuild and recover. It will take time.” She held out a hand. “If you need to work off that anger, I�
��m happy to help.”
His gaze narrowed on her. “The anger’s still inside me, Rayne. It’s quiet right now, but I hear it. Like a damned distant beat I’ll always hear.”
“I know that.” She took a step closer, until their chests brushed. “And I know you’ll fight it. You’re nothing like the monster I grew up with.”
“Rayne—” Her name was a tortured sound.
“Let me help you. Fight for us.”
With a groan, he reached for her. “Damn, you’re stubborn.”
When he swept her up into his arms, she gave a startled laugh and slid an arm across his shoulders.
He let out a shuddering breath. “I should be stronger. I should let you go.”
“Stop fighting what’s between us.”
She rubbed a finger over his lips and he felt a surge of desire through his tiredness.
“I could get used to you carrying me around,” she murmured.
“You’d better.” He strode out of the square, letting the wind turn them to one. “Because now I’ve got you, I’m not letting go.”
Rayne scanned the report in her hand, striding down the elegant hall in Venti Enterprises Rome. The construction on the rebuild of Hotel Venti San Marco was underway.
She smiled. Luca would be very happy. It had only been a week since they’d banished Caecius, but since then, life had been a whirlwind. She and Luca had visited the injured employees and their families, and started planning the hotel rebuild. They’d returned to Rome and their days were filled with work, and their nights with frenzied loving in Luca’s huge bed.
They hadn’t talked about the future. Rayne understood. There was still a final Tempest Wind to defeat and she knew Luca was on edge with worry for Soren.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she entered his spacious office. Luca was sitting at his desk, silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows that showed Rome spread out behind him.
God, he was handsome and he was all hers.
Since they’d returned to Rome, his employees had been whispering in the halls at the change in Luca. He smiled more and was more patient. Well, a little more patient. She smiled. He was still Luca and he still had a temper.
His head lifted and his blue gaze ran down Rayne’s fitted skirt, white, button-up shirt, and heels. A smile curved his lips and she saw the hint of the dirty, sexy thoughts in his eyes.