“Untie me,” she said again, her voice steadier this time.
He didn’t answer.
“You have to let me go before someone realizes I’m missing. I promised I’d be back before dark.”
“You really think I’m going to let you walk out of here, Lucci?” he asked quietly.
“You have to,” she insisted. “If you don’t, this will start a real war. A bloodbath. And I don’t want to be the reason for it.”
“The war between our clans has been burning for nearly three thousand years, Nicoletta,” he said. “Blood spilled for territory, for power… but never for a woman. Fighting Romulus over you would be a pleasure.”
“Luciano…” Her voice cracked. “Please. Untie me.”
“I will,” he said after a moment, “but first you’ll drink this.”
He held a glass of water in his hand.
“What is that?” Nicoletta tensed.
“Water. Y
