Page 45 of Ruthless Vengeance
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
I blink. “Really?”
Marco reaches out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “I want you to be happy.” His eyes soften as he looks at me. “If this is what it takes, then do it.”
I exhale, the tension in my body dissolves knowing that he is on board.
“Iamhappy, Marco.” I lean into his touch. “The happiest I’ve ever been, actually.”
“Yeah?” His lips pull up into a smile.
I nod before repositioning myself so I can lean against his shoulder.
“I just… I wantmore, I guess. I want Zoe to look up to me one day and be proud of what I’ve accomplished. I want to set a good example for her, show her that it’s possible to follow your dreams.”
Marco wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer. “Zoe will be proud of you no matter what.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “But if this is something youneed, then go for it. You have my full support.”
I close my eyes, letting this moment sink in.
I’m going to fashion school.
“Thank you, Marco.” My throat is thick with emotion as I bury my face in his chest.
For the first time in years, I feel like I’m not just surviving. I’m actuallyliving.
And it’s all because of him.
Chapter Twelve
MARCO
Less than twenty-fourhours after making the call to Liam, asking him to look into Ben's relationship with Cillian, I receive the confirmation I’ve been waiting for.
Liam managed to drag the information out of one of Cillian’s men, which I’m sure will come back to bite me on the ass. But right now, all that matters it that he backed up Ben’s story, piece by fucking piece.
All of it was true. The trafficking, the auctions, the underage girls…
Cillian is even more of a twisted fuck than I thought, which means I need to find a way out of this deal before I get caught up in his sadistic web.
As much as I hate to admit it, Ben Peterson might be the answer I’m looking for.
If he has been a mole for Cillian, he likely has more information that can help me take him down. But he’s not going to give it up easily, which means I might not have any other choice but to bring Clara into the equation.
I find Clara in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the couch with Zoe sprawled on her lap, her tiny hands gripping onto Clara’s fingers.
She looks so happy that for a second, I hesitate in the doorway.
She wanted Ben out of her life for a reason, and now I’m the one who is forcing him back into it.
Clara looks up as if she senses my eyes on her, and a soft smile tugs at her lips. "Hey, you’re back early.”
I nod, tucking my hands in my pockets, trying to ignore the guilt that is weighing heavily on my chest. "Something has come up I need to talk to you about."
Zoe turns at the sound of my voice and lets out a cry as she starts trying to reach for me.
Normally, seeing my daughter would have lifted my mood, but I’m not just dragging Clara into this mess, I’m dragging Zoe into it too.
I just wish I could think of another way to deal with Cillian that doesn’t involve Ben.
