Page 52 of Lorcan's Obsession

Who the fuck was this Marion?

A tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed dweeb stood behind the counter in a chef's hat and uniform. His eyes were wide as the unwashed plates piled behind him while he stared at Tris and the old man.

"Skittles?!" he yelped.

"Mars?" Tris twisted her neck to look where the sound was coming from.

Why hadn't I thought of a sweet candy name for her? Would "Twix'"work?

This Mars guy didn't waste a damn second. He slid over the serving counter, not giving two fucks about sanitation, and yanked Tris from the old man. He lifted her off the ground, hugging her as they spun around. His eyes were shut tight, but every expression etched on his face screamed, "Tris was the one that got away."

Lowering her to her feet, he stepped back to examine her like she was a dream. And then, just as quickly, he pulled her in for a kiss.

I died. Tristen had promised "happy stuff." For whom? I was pissed and confused and seething with jealousy.

I moved to break them apart and punch that guy, but the older man grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

“Please come with me.”

"Sir, I need—” My murderous gaze was directed toward his son.

"Ah.” He waved with a dismissive hand. “They'll need a few minutes. Come with me. Come."

He tugged on my arm again. Begrudgingly, I respected that a man twice my age with barely any strength held his ground in the face of my building rage. It forced me to pause and look into his sunken, pleading eyes and the million lines marking his forehead. I might have been a hothead, but I never would strike an elder. With a grunt, I allowed this man, Mario, to lead me away. I followed him through a narrow corridor that led to a small apartment. As soon as he closed the door, he hugged me tight.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing her back to us."

My jaw ticked. I was not returning her to them; we were visiting. She was leaving with me. I wanted to hammer those words into their heads.

"I still can't believe it's her out there. I'm Mario, an old friend of her parents. And you are?"

I all but gritted my name out. "Lorcan." Every muscle in me rebelled, wanting to go back to my woman.

"Can I offer you something to drink?"

"No, sir. It's not necessary at all. Thank you."

"Please, I insist."

He disappeared into one of the rooms and returned with a bottle of cognac and two glasses.

"How long have you been together?" he asked after pouring us a drink with a shaky hand.

I clenched my fists by my side, the pressure inside my head reaching a billowing point. Why did he care about us when his son was the one out there trying to stick his tongue down her throat? Should I say a year? Would that convince him to call his boy off Tris?

"About two weeks. We came for skydiving and sightseeing."

"Skydiving? Tristen?"

“Yeah.” I shrugged.

The man’s eyes widened; surprise written on his face. Before he could ramble on in answer, a knock interrupted us. Tris popped her head in, her French-manicured fingernails clutching the door. I could have kissed her, for both saving me and being away from that blond bastard.

"Mario, can I have my man back?"

Thank fuck. I didn’t waste another breath. I gave Mario a curt nod and took giant steps to Tristen. As soon as we left the room, she pinned me against the wall of that narrow corridor.

"You ok?" she asked, digging for the truth.

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