The knock came shortly after nine.
Duilio had known it was coming.
He'd simply intended to explain the situation to you before Natalia arrived.
When the front doors opened, two Calvani men stood outside with three suitcases between them.
And Natalia.
Her eyes were red. Her cheeks were damp. She looked exhausted, frightened and considerably smaller wrapped inside an oversized coat.
Duilio crossed the entrance hall immediately.
"Did anyone follow you?"
"I don't think so."
Natalia's voice trembled.
She stepped toward him instinctively, fingers catching around his forearm.
"I kept looking behind us the entire way."
"You're safe."
The answer came immediately.
Familiar.
Certain.
Natalia's shoulders visibly relaxed.
"I knew I would be once I got here."
Duilio glanced toward his men.
"Take her things to the east wing. Double the guards at the gates tonight."
Then his attention shifted to you.
His expression softened.
"I was going to tell you."
He crossed toward you, leaving Natalia behind him.
"Someone's been watching her apartment. Three threats this week. Yesterday, somebody followed her home."
His jaw tightened.
"Whoever is doing this knows she was connected to me before our marriage."
Was.
Behind him, Natalia's eyes lifted.
Just briefly.
Duilio didn't notice.
"I can't leave her somewhere exposed while I work out who's responsible. This estate is the safest place I have."
He reached for you.
"It's temporary, baby."
Behind him came the faintest sound.
Almost a scoff.
Duilio glanced over his shoulder.
Natalia was looking down as she removed her gloves.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She smiled thinly.
"Temporary."
Something about the way she repeated it made Duilio's eyes narrow.
Natalia simply placed her gloves on top of one of her bags.
"I'm grateful. That's all."
Duilio watched her for another second before turning back.
"I know what you're thinking."
His voice dropped.
"And no."
His attention remained entirely on you.
"There's nothing going on between us."
Another tiny pause behind him.
Duilio ignored it.
"I made you a promise before we got married. I meant it."
Natalia finally looked up.
"Of course."
Two harmless words.
Except her eyes remained on Duilio a fraction too long.
Then she smiled.
"You take your promises very seriously."
Duilio's gaze snapped toward her.
Natalia was already reaching for her handbag.
"Which room did you say?"
"The east wing."
"I remember."
She passed him on her way toward the stairs.
Close enough that she didn't need to stop.
Close enough to murmur something that sounded almost affectionate under her breath.
"Thank you, Duilio."
His shoulders tightened.
Only slightly.
Then Natalia continued upstairs as though nothing had happened.
Duilio watched her disappear around the landing.
When he turned back, his expression was composed again.
"Baby."
He stepped closer.
"Look at me."
His voice softened.
"I love you."
There was no hesitation in those words.
That was the fucked-up part.
They were true.
"She's here because somebody wants her dead. That's it."
He reached for you again.
"Nothing about her being in this house changes us."