Page 22 of Marco

"I'm sorry, I have to go out tonight. Business." Marco's voice is detached, all business once more.

I nod, offering a weak smile that doesn't reach my eyes. "Of course. Dinner will be waiting when you're back."

Marco gazes at me for a beat as if he wants to say more. His hand stretches out, almost involuntarily, and brushes against mine. But then he suddenly yanks it back and turns on his heel, the moment shattered beyond repair. The door clicks shut behind him with an air of grim finality.

I stand frozen, emotions churning within me. I thought I could handle this, but the reality is so much messier and more painful than I ever imagined. I don't know how to reconcile my feelings for Marco with the ruthless world he inhabits. But I do know one thing—this can only end in heartbreak. I need to protect myself.

I let out a shaky breath as the echo of Marco's footsteps fades down the hall. The looming silence of this big, empty house closes in on me, emphasizing just how alone I am.

Hugging my arms around myself, I retreat to the living room and sink down onto the couch, emotions crashing over me in waves. I blink back the hot tears that spring unbidden to my eyes. Crying won't change anything. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to this marriage. Marco never made any promises of a normal life.

But I can't ignore the way my heart clenches every time he walks out that door into danger. I can't pretend it doesn't destroy me to watch him close himself off again and again, hiding behind that impenetrable mask.

I'm terrified of losing him. The thought of never seeing Marco again, of him disappearing into the darkness of his world, it's unbearable. We're not close, but I'm starting to feel feelings. It's hard not to, I'm bound to care about those I'm close to and he's the only person I'm spending any time with, as rare as it is. But what choice do I have? I'm just supposed to sit here helplessly while he risks his life over and over? I don't even know this man, really. Yet each time we have an interaction, I see him... the man behind the mask... and I want to know more of him.

I bury my face in my hands, choking back a sob. When did I let this happen? When did I allow myself to care so deeply for Marco despite all the warnings?

Love isn't rational. It creeps up on you when you least expect it, regardless of all the reasons you shouldn't give in to it. And now my heart is paying the price, beginning to fall for a man who I don't really know and who I can never really have.

ten

Marco

Achill runs down my spine as I hang up the phone. News of the Di Gregorio family mobilizing their men can only mean one thing—they're making a move against us.

I bark orders, sending more guards to patrol the grounds and posting lookouts on the walls. My mind races through the implications. We've had an uneasy truce with the Di Gregorios for years now, but if they've decided to challenge me, this will not end well for them.

Alessia steps into my office, her brow furrowed with concern. "What's going on, Marco? I saw men rushing about and heard you shouting."

She moves closer until her hand rests on my arm, her warmth seeping through my sleeve. I take a deep breath, the tension in my shoulders easing. Even now, her touch has a calming effect. She doesn't usually ask me questions about my work, which is the way I prefer it, but something about tonight is different.

I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her. "There's trouble brewing with a rival family. It was already getting dangerous with some other groups, but now more information has come to light about a particularly ruthless syndicate. I have to take some precautions."

She tenses in my embrace. "Will there be fighting? Are we in danger?"

"Not if I can help it," I say. "But we have to be prepared."

Alessia looks up at me, her blue eyes normally full of optimism and hope now clouded with worry. My chest tightens. I never wanted her to be embroiled in this world and its endless violence. But now she's mine, tied to me in more ways than one, and I will keep her safe no matter the cost.

"I won't let anything happen to you," I vow, cupping her face in my hands. "You're under my protection now, my love, and no one will get past me to harm you. Do you understand?"

She nods, some of the tension easing from her body. I kiss her then, slow and deep, reaffirming my promise and chasing away the specter of danger that hovers at the edge of our newfound bliss. War may be looming, but in this moment, she is all that matters. I will face any battle to keep her by my side.

She leaves my study and I sleep little, making preparations to defend our turf.

The next morning, I find Alessia in the kitchen talking to Carmela, one of the housekeepers. Their voices are hushed, and they stop speaking altogether when I enter the room.

Alessia smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. She's a terrible liar. It's clear my staff have filled her in on the situation, trying to reassure her in their own way.

I nod at Carmela. "Leave us."

She scurries off, casting a sympathetic glance at Alessia and a guilty look in my direction. Gossips, all of them. I'll deal with that later. I pull Alessia into my arms, feeling the tension in her body. "There's no need to worry," I say. "I have everything under control."

"That's not very reassuring...I feel like you're trying to placate me like I'm some ignorant little girl." She looks up at me, brows furrowed. "Marco, I'm not naive. I know how dangerous your world is. And now I'm a part of it, for better or for worse."

Her words strike a chord in me. She's right—she is in danger simply by being with me. I brought her into this life, ironically to protect her, and now it's my duty to shield her from its harsh realities. But how long can I possibly keep her safe? I thought keeping her close by my side would mark her as off limits to our rivals, but in doing so I may have inadvertently placed a target on her back.

"Besides," she adds, placing her hand on my shoulder and gazing deep into my eyes, "wasn't that the point of all this? I would have been in even more danger had you not rode into my café on your imaginary white horse to save me by bringing me to this castle of yours?"

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