Page 31 of Ruthless Vengeance
I should have told Marco about Ben the moment he pulled me out of that hellhole but instead, I hesitated. I let fear keep my mouth shut, and now I might have lost the only person who’s ever made me feel truly safe.
The look in Marco’s eyes haunts me.
I knew lying about Ben would hurt him, but I didn’t realize it would hurt him this much. I deserve to have him walk away after everything I’ve put him through. Though part of me was hoping that he could look past it, if not for me, then for Zoe.
But as the hours continue to tick by and I watch our daughter sleep, I almost crumble at the realization that I may have ruined her one chance at having a proper family.
Right now, all I care about is making Marco understand that I have zero loyalty to Ben.
My brother is nothing to me, and hasn’t been for years, not since he betrayed my mother.
I just hope it’s not too late, and that Marco hasn’t already made up his mind not to believe me.
A car engine rumbles outside, and I instantly jolt to my feet, my breath catching as I rush over to the window.
A sob builds in my throat as Marco’s headlights cut through the darkness as his sleek black car pulls into the driveway.
He came back.
I rush from the room, my heart pounding in my chest as I take the stairs two at a time.
By the time I reach the foyer, I look out through the window.
The car door opens, and Marco steps out. His broad frame moves like a shadow in the dim porch light, but there’s no denying the tension in his shoulders, in his face.
He’s pissed.
I swallow hard as the front door swings open and Marco walks in.
His dark eyes land on me immediately, but his expression is unreadable.
“Hi.” I wrap my arms around my body.
He exhales roughly as he rakes a hand through his dark hair.
There are dark shadows under his eyes, but the stubble on his face is gone, and I catch a waft of his cologne, as if he just recently showered.
He doesn’t look me in the eye. “It’s three in the morning. Why are you still up?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Not while you’re still so angry at me.”
Marco tucks his hands into his pockets and exhales deeply, some of the tension dissipating out of him as his eyes flick to meet mine.
He tilts his head in the direction of the lounge. “Come on. Let’s talk.”
I should be grateful that he’s even willing to talk, but that doesn’t do much to calm my nerves.
As I follow behind Marco, taking in the sight of his broad shoulders and strong body, I ache with the need to wrap my arms around him. To feel his warmth, to hear the calming sound of his heartbeat as I rest my head against his chest…
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I take a seat on the couch beside Marco, trying to ignore the distance he places between us.
He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers clasped together as he keeps his eyes forward. He looks completely exhausted and worn down, and it’s all because of me.
I take a shaky breath. “Marco, I?—”
He lifts a hand, silencing me. “I had to get my PI to look into your background. I fucking hate that I couldn’t just take your word for it, Clara, but I needed to know the truth.”
His words are like a slap to the face, but I keep my mouth shut.
