The Brothers' Virgin Captive Read Online Free PDF Page B

hair. “I was never acknowledged as my father’s child. I grew up scraping by to support my mother, but then she died last year and it was just me.”
    Silence filled the space between them. “I’m so sorry about your losses.” She looked between them, not knowing if she should say anything at all, but realizing that their lives had been far from perfect. Arik might have had everything he wanted, but there was emptiness in his eyes that she knew too well. She had seen the same void when she looked at herself in the mirror. It was one of a lonely life filled without love or happiness.
    “Every year I worked for your father I saw the same hollowness inside of you that I saw in Arik and myself. I didn’t know how to save you, but I knew I needed to try. Until the auctions I had no way of taking you away from that fate. You were constantly guarded, and it was those eyes that made sure no one came close to you. I knew enough about the auctions that only females were permitted with the virgins.” Luca leaned back in his seat and glanced at his brother. “Arik knew about me, but we didn’t start talking until our father passed. His mother was none too pleased, but there was nothing she could do. Arik wasn’t Henrick, and wouldn’t be pushed around, and I had nothing for her to take.” He shrugged, and once again she felt her heart break a little more. “It was then I confided in Arik and asked for his help. He had the knowledge and resources I did not, and I knew if I was going to take you away from a life of solitude and servitude, I needed him.”
    For several long moments no one spoke. Anna processed all of this information, not knowing what to do with it, but realizing that these two men in front of her had saved her life.
    “What about my family, or the man who purchased me? Surely they will come searching for me?” Fear started to take root once again in the pit of her stomach. Sweat bloomed on her forehead, and her heart raced. She couldn’t be taken back, not when freedom was shown to her. She started to shake uncontrollably at the thought of being found. Not only would they make sure she was punished, but there was no doubt in her mind Master Charles would extract his own special kind of pain. What would they do to her? What about Master Charles? Luca was by her in an instant, and when he wrapped his arms around her, lifted her easily, and placed her on his lap, it was only then that she started to ease. It was strange to have him touch her so intimately, but Anna found herself easing into the hardness of his body, and allowing herself to accept what he offered. With her head on Luca’s chest and the sound of his beating heart further calming her, Anna stared at Arik. Some kind of emotion flickered in the dark depths of his eyes. Perhaps sorrow and regret? Or maybe even understanding?
    “Everything is okay, Anna.” Luca ran his hand over her hair, and although she had been brought up to think this kind of affection was inappropriate with anyone other than her future husband, she couldn’t find it in herself to push him away. It felt too good to be touched and held, especially by him, the man she had wanted this from for so long.
    “Anna.” Arik leaned forward and rested his forearms on his thighs. The way he said her name was like the touches Luca gave her. Intimate. Affectionate. Seductive. “I have used every resource I possess to make sure you are utterly safe. Do you understand me? No one will come for you, and no one will find you, and if against the grace of everything that is holy they did find you, they would have to go through me to get to you.” The way Arik said it, so harsh, determined, and sure of the situation, had her believing every word he said. “Do you believe me, Anna?”
    She answered without hesitation. “Yes.” She may have just met Arik, but she trusted her instincts, and right now they were telling her he was honest and willing to protect her above all other things.
    He