Page 175 of Prized Possession

Miles shakes his head. “You’re not touching it. Just tell me what to do.”

With a resigned sigh, Frank gives Miles step-by-step instructions on how to log in. Just a few minutes later, the new account he just set up is almost thirteen million pounds richer.

Miles shows Frank his almost empty bank account.

“Don’t worry, I left you with four pounds and twenty nine pence. We’re not total monsters,” he jokes, earning dark chuckles from Jake and Marcus.

As Miles collects the list, I give him an appreciative smile. “Can you make sure the girls get an even share of the money?”

“Of course,” he says, squeezing my arm in comfort.

With one last look at Frank, who appears completely broken and lost, I take a deep breath. Feeling stronger than I have in a long time, I turn to Marcus, whose bright blue eyes are quietly watching over me.

“I’m done.”

Frank hears what I say to Marcus, and his eyes widen. “Does that mean I can go now?” he asks hopefully.

I can’t help but laugh at how weak and desperate he sounds.

“No, I meant that I’m done. After today, I’m never going to think of you or what you did to me ever again.

“For a long time, I thought you ruined my life, but now I know that I had to break into little pieces so that this man could build me back up again, and now I’m stronger than I ever was before.

“I’m going to make sure that every girl you hurt knows that she never has to think of you again either. None of them will fear you again after today.

“But the only way to be sure you’re not a threat to me, those girls, or any woman ever again, is to eliminate the risk.”

I pause, and Frank looks confused, like he’s not really following what I’m saying.

I turn to Marcus, holding my head high as I tell him, “It’s time to end this, for good.”

Without saying another word, I turn and walk out of the door, Miles following behind me. As soon as the door slams shut, I hear whimpering that’s quickly silenced by several loud gunshots, before everything descends into silence.

I lean against the wall, surprised by how calm I feel. Marcus walks out of the room, scanning his gaze over me, no doubt looking for signs I’m about to crack.

I see a few specks of blood over his shirt and trousers, but give him a reassuring smile. He quickly pulls me in for a hug, wrapping his arms around me as he presses his lips to my temple.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Mio.”

I lean back and stare at his beautiful blue eyes, wondering once more how I got this lucky, to have a man who’d go to these lengths to protect me.

“I don’t know how to thank you for this,” I tell him.

Marcus cups my cheek with his hand, running his thumb over it in a comforting gesture. He gives me the smile he reserves just for me and my heart aches.

“You never have to thank me. The world is a better place without that fucker in it. You’re the one who battled her demon and won, I just helped.”

I chuckle as I reach up and kiss his lips. My heart races but I know there’s no better time to tell him.

“I love you, Marcus.”

The words rush out and Marcus freezes, his hand on my cheek stops completely as he just stares at me. Panic starts to set in, and I wonder if I’ve ruined things by saying it too soon.

When Marcus finally breaks his silence, his voice is thick and husky. “Say that again.”

I shake my head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt?—”

Marcus cuts me off by placing his finger over my lips. “Say it again.”

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