Page 21 of Savage Bosses

“I know I have a lot of explaining to do—and I will, but I think we need to talk alone.” He cuts his gaze to Mr. Basille.

Nico stands, but I hold up a hand to stop him.

“No, he stays,” I say, keeping my gaze on Marcus.

I didn’t necessarily want Nico to hear what I had to say to Marcus, but just the thought of him coming in here demanding the man that saved my life had to leave, pissed me off.

“Are you sure, Ms. Best? I don’t want to cause any problems,” Nico says.

Poor guy, he has been nothing but nice since I met him. Yet, I keep pulling him into all my shit.

“I feel safer with you here.” Which isn’t a lie. My nerves are still pretty shot to hell from the entire ordeal.

With a simple dip of his chin, Nico sits back down.

“You feel safe with him?” Marcus parrots, grabbing my attention. “You’ve known me since high school, yet you feel safe with this stranger?”

“Thisstranger,” I say, emphasizing the word stranger. “Saved my ass when my boyfriend thought to pimp me out to pay his debt.” I didn’t tell the cops that tidbit of information.

I explained to them that Marcus had run up a debt to Saint, and I was supposed to be his collateral, but I didn’t tell them about the entire phone call. I guess part of me still wanted to protect the man I’ve loved since I was sixteen.

Even from my bed, I catch the sound of the loud breath Nico just took. I don’t dare look in his direction. Marcus takes a step closer to the bed.

“I panicked, Tiff. Okay, I admit that wasn’t the right decision, but I didn’t know what else to say.”

“You could have turned yourself in. Hell, it was your debt. I told you that gambling wasn’t a sure thing.”

“You’re right,” Marcus places the bouquet at the foot of my bed, before taking a seat beside me. “I fucked up. I’ve already talked to someone about getting help for the gambling.” He grabs my hand in both of his, clutching it to his chest. “And baby, I promise to spend the rest of our life making up for this.”

I snatch my hand away from him. “If you had come to me before all this and told me about the debt, we could have worked it out. I would’ve forgiven you. But your decision on that phone sealed the deal for our relationship. I’ll never trust you again, Marcus.”

He shoots to his feet. “Are you serious? I messed up once and it’s over?”

“You didn’t just cheat, or stay out all night, you tried to sell me off to a known criminal. And you’re talking to me about taking you back? I have every right to have your ass arrested.”

Marcus drops down to one knee. “Okay. Okay, you’re right and I’m thankful you didn’t. But come on, Tiff. We can work this out.”

“We can’t. Not this time, now get the hell out of my room before I change my mind.”

I’ve dealt with a lot in this relationship. Some things that should have had me choosing the exit door long before this. However, I refuse to be blind any longer. My feelings for Marcus won’t go away overnight, but in time they will.

Marcus stands, dusting a hand down his pants. “I know you’re hurt and angry with me now, but I’m going to get my shit together. When I do, I’m coming back for you, baby. I’ll be the man you deserve. Just wait for me, Tiff.” With those words, he turns and walks out of my hospital room.

As soon as he shuts the door, the tears fall. For nine years I’ve loved him. My heart will need time, but my head has made her decision. I don’t look up when I feel the bed beside me dip. I slide over and soon after strong arms wrap around me pulling me into warmth and security. I should put some distance between us. Yet instead, I bury my face in his chest and breathe in his incredible scent. I can borrow his strength for a minute.

CHAPTER 9

Move In

Tiffany

“W

ow, Nico. This place is gorgeous.”

I spent three unnecessary days in the hospital. Mr. Basille made them run every test he could imagine on me. I had X-rays, MRI’s, and bloodwork drawn. I drew the line at the pelvic exam. Finally, they let me go home.

I intended to stop by my old place to get my things, but Nico told me he had hired a company that had already done it for me. He is absolutely a life saver.

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