Page 12 of Ivory Sins
“My presence in your life was a danger to you, and I couldn't keep risking your safety,” he says.
“I don't understand."
He draws a deep breath, his words spilling out in a calm and calculated way. “My father, Giovanni, was a consigliere to a powerful Sicilian family–the Calabreses. When I was 16, he discovered the Calabrese don was trafficking children. So, to put an end to that madness, he gathered evidence and planned to expose them.”
I stare in silence; the world fading away into the background.
“But we're talking about a powerful family. They found out and…” his voice cracks, his lips slightly trembling. “They uh…” He swallows hard, blinking rapidly, as if suppressing his emotions. “They made him watch as they killed my mother, and then they put a bullet in his head.”
My face goes pale and my eyes widen, my heart breaking at the sound of the pain in his voice.
His voice cracks again, but he keeps going. “I was in boarding school in Switzerland when the incident happened. The Calabreses let me live. Not out of the goodness of their hearts, but because they wanted me to suffer—to wander the earth aloneknowing that I had no one.” He pauses and continues, “He let me live as a reminder to others of the consequences of betrayal.”
His expression darkens ever so slightly.
“But I didn't stay hidden—no, I worked hard. I built my life brick by brick until I became the man my parents would be proud of.” His voice is tinged with a hint of confidence as he speaks. “I built my reputation in security and protection so no one else would have to go through what I did—at least not under my watch.”
His career choice makes sense, and I feel my anger toward him slowly dissipating into the air.
“That's how I met your father. He hired me to protect you—to keep you safe,” he continues, his tone dropping by a notch. “But what I didn't know was that Calabreses had ties with your family. So, when we fell in love, those fuckers saw an opportunity to turn me against your family. They wanted me to betray the Bellanti.”
My hand reflexively flies to my chest, and a cold shiver sprints down my spine. I'm seeing the picture now and it's breaking my heart.
He forges ahead, explaining. “When I refused, they started making threats, setting up ‘accidents’ around you. I received disturbing photos and surveillances from your daily routines, all to make me turn against the Bellanti. But I couldn't do that. Nor could I risk losing you.”
He heaves a sigh. “Somehow, your father found out that someone was targeting his daughter, that the ‘accidents’ around you were orchestrated. During his investigation, he found out about the connection to me. To save your life…he asked me to leave you.”
A tear makes its way down my cheek.
“It broke my heart, but he was right. I'd rather leave than watch you become collateral damage in an old vendetta, one you knew nothing about.” He sighs. “I knew you wouldn’t let me go, so I had to leave without telling you.”
My breath logs in my throat and I press my lips together, feeling the jolt of emotions coursing through my body.
“I spent the last three years taking my revenge out on them for keeping me away from the love of my life,” he continues, a faint scowl flashing across his features. “I dismantled their operation, gathered evidence against them, and finished what my father started.”
He holds my gaze for a moment, reaching out to wipe my tears before continuing. “I built a network of allies amongst families that were against child trafficking, distributed my evidence of Calabrese's crimes to their enemies, and watched their empire crumble to the ground.”
“That sounds like a lot,” I say, my voice low and even laced with a glint of pride.
“It was,” he concurs. “But in the end, I forced an oath; the Calabrese would never come after you or any member of the Bellanti family. They didn't have a choice, so they swore to keep their distance.” His voice is a little more lively now. “As we speak, the Calabreses are barely clinging to power in Sicily, and so far, they've been cooperating.”
“Is that why you came back?” I ask.
“Yes,” he replies. “And also because your father reached out to me, saying that he thinks your life is in danger. He wanted me to return, to keep you safe.”
My heart shatters into a million tiny pieces and I immediately hate myself for treating him so badly. My eyes mist and tears roll down my cheeks as I take a step closer to him. “Marco, I didn't know…” My voice trembles. “I am so sorry.”
“Hey,” he says, his tone gentle, closing the distance between us with a single stride. “There's no way you could've known—I didn't tell you,” he says, cradling my face, his eyes boring into mine.
I sniffle, holding his gaze, melting in his arms as his thumb wipes away my tears. “For what it's worth…” my voice trails off but I don't look away. “...I never stopped loving you,” I confess.
His lips curl into a charming smile, and he pulls me closer, his hand around my waist. “Neither did I,” he whispers, his tone dripping with sincerity.
“I appreciate your honesty, Marco. I really do,” I say, trying to keep my voice low and even. “But please gimme some time. Let me organize my thoughts. I promise, I'll tell you everything, just not now.” I plead for his understanding.
He draws a deep breath and hesitates before nodding his head.
I smile, feeling the gradual shift in the atmosphere. My fingertips tingle and my thighs brush against each other.
