Lair of the Lion

watched his sister leave the room. He paced restlessly, padding in silence, his mind working furiously. From the moment Isabella had come to the valley, a killer had stalked her. He had to find the traitor and dispose of him… or her.
    Isabella stirred, shadows creeping into the peace of her expression. At once he went to her, sliding his large frame onto the bed to stretch out beside her. He gathered her close to him, his arms circling her, drawing her against his heart. Nicolai rested his chin on top of her head, rubbing his jaw gently along her hair in a gesture meant to soothe. He wasn't entirely certain whether he was soothing Isabella or himself.
    "Nicolai?" She whispered his name uncertainly, caught between a dream and a nightmare.
    "I'm here, cara mia," he assured her. The intensity of his emotions gripped him, tears welling up, choking him. "Think only of happiness, Isabella. Tuo fratello is safe within the walls of the palazzo. You are safe in your bedchamber, and I'm with you." He pressed a series of kisses along her throat. Gently. Tenderly. "Ti amo, and I swear to you, I'll find a way to keep you safe."
    "When you're with me, Nicolai, I feel safe," she murmured. "I wish you would feel safe when you were with me," she added wistfully. "I want peace for you. Just accept what you are, Nicolai. Accept who you are. My heart. That's what you've become. My heart." Her lashes fluttered, her soft mouth curving. "Be with me, and let the rest take care of itself."
    "I can't protect you from the traitor in our home," he said in despair. "How can I protect you from what I am?"
    She rubbed her face against his chest. "I don't need protection from a man who loves me.
    I'll never need protection." She sounded drowsy, sexy, her voice so soft it crept under his skin and wound around his heart. "I'm so tired, Nicolai. Maybe we can talk later. I saw Theresa and Violante. Keep them safe, and Francesca, too. I should have warned them."
    He looked down at her face, her long lashes two thick crescents. Duty was ingrained deeply in her. "The captains and their wives will be spending the night here in the palazzo. I intend to find out exactly what happened." He kissed her temple. "Sleep now, piccola. Just rest, and be assured the others are safe."
    As he watched her sleep, he realized there were no chains rattling, no wailing in the halls. Even the ghosts and spirits were reluctant to disturb her. When he was certain she was in a deep sleep, he left her to conduct his investigation.

    Isabella didn't sleep for long. Nightmares assailed her, jerking her awake despite her terrible fatigue. She needed company. She needed to see her brother.
    Isabella pushed open the door to her brother's room and was surprised to see Francesca jerk away from Lucca's bedside, two bright spots of color in her cheeks. Her eyes were over-bright. Isabella looked from her brother to the don's sister. "Is everything all right? Is Lucca better?"
    "He's doing very well," Francesca assured her, pacing a short distance from the bed.
    "Grazie, Francesca. I appreciate your seeing Lucca through the night for me. He looks better." Isabella brushed at the waves of hair framing her brother's face. "Has he been resting?"
    "I'm right here, Isabella," Lucca reminded her. "Don't talk as if I'm a bambino with no sense."
    "You act like a bambino," Francesca accused. "He refuses to take his medicine without first knowing every single herb in the mixture." She rolled her eyes. "He doesn't have a clue what herb treats what ailment, but he insists just to test my knowledge." She glared at him.
    Lucca took Isabella's hand, looking as pathetic as possible. "Who is this bambina you have watching over me? She's power-hungry."
    "Bambina?" Francesca spluttered, her eyes hot. "You are the bambino, afraid of every little drink or ointment. You think because you're a man you can question my authority, but, in truth, you're weak as a babe, and without me you can't manage to hold a cup in your hands."
    Lucca shook his head and looked up at Isabella. "She likes to put her arms around me.
    She uses my illness as an excuse to stay near me." He shrugged carelessly. "But I'm used to attention from females. I can put up with it."
    Francesca sucked in her breath. "You… you arrogant beast! If you think your ridiculous delusions will get rid of me, you are sadly mistaken. And I won't be driven off by your bad temper, either. I've given tua sorella my word that I'll attend to you, and the word