Chapter 019
1091 Words
HARRIET'S POV
Funny how fast your definition of normal can change.
A month ago, I was serving coffee and worrying about bills. Now I was sitting in Marco's study, watching him plan what basically amounted to a war.
"Martinez will hit hard and fast," Edward was saying, pointing to a map spread across the desk. "He's already moved fifty men across the border."
"Let him come." Marco's voice was ice. "I want him overconfident."
I studied his profile, remembering how he'd looked in the café. The cold efficiency as he killed those men. The rage in his eyes when he saw my bruised face. The blood on his hands when he kissed me.
I should be terrified. Should be running as far as I could.
Instead, I felt... safe. Protected. Like nothing could touch me as long as I was his.
"Miss Blackwood?"
I blinked. Edward was looking at me expectantly.
"Sorry, what?"
"I asked if you're sure about the timing. You said Lady One mentioned something about Martinez's schedule?"
"Right." I sat forward. "She was bragging while they tied me up. Said Martinez would be here for the new moon. Something about it being fitting."
Marco went still. "The new moon."
"Yeah. Why? What's—"
"That's when Sylvia died." His hands clenched on the desk. "Fifteen years ago. During the new moon."
Silence fell. I watched emotions flash across Marco's face – pain, rage, something darker.
"When?" Edward asked quietly.
"Three days." Marco straightened, and just like that, the emotions vanished behind his Don mask. "Get everyone ready. I want this city locked down before he arrives."
Edward nodded and left. As soon as the door closed, I moved to Marco's side.
"Hey." I touched his arm. "You okay?"
"I should be asking you that." He traced the bruise on my cheek. "This was my fault."
"Pretty sure it was Lady One's fault. And mine, for being stupid enough to go there."
"About that." His eyes hardened. "We need to discuss your punishment."
Heat pooled in my stomach. "Punishment?"
"You disobeyed me. Put yourself in danger." His hand slid to my throat, not squeezing, just resting there. "Actions have consequences, mi amor."
"I can handle consequences." I pressed closer, feeling his breath catch. "Question is, can you handle me?"
He growled, spinning me so I was trapped between him and the desk. "Careful, little girl. You're already in trouble."
"Maybe I like trouble."
His kiss was bruising, possessive. I melted into it, letting him lift me onto the desk. Papers scattered as he pressed me back, his hands everywhere at once.
"Mine," he growled against my neck. "Say it."
"Yours," I gasped as his teeth grazed my skin. "God, Marco..."
The door burst open. We jumped apart as Sierra strode in, looking furious.
"Are you insane?" She glared at me. "Going to the café alone? You could have been killed!"
"Nice to see you too," I muttered, straightening my clothes.
"Don't get cute. Do you have any idea what it would do to him if—" She stopped, taking in the scene – me on the desk, Marco's messed up hair, the scattered papers. "Oh. Well. I see you two worked things out."
I felt my face heat. Marco just looked amused.
"Did you need something, Sierra?" he asked.
"Yes, actually." She held up a folder. "Intelligence from Mexico. Martinez isn't just bringing men. He's bringing her family."
The amusement vanished from Marco's face. "What?"
"Her mother, her sisters. Everyone who could be used against her." Sierra's eyes met mine. "He's not taking chances this time."
Ice spread through my veins. "My dad—"
"Is already being moved to a secure location," Marco cut in. "Along with his medical team."
"You knew?" Sierra demanded. "And you're still letting her stay here?"
"Letting me?" I stood up. "I'm not some pet he can send away."
"No, you're a liability." She turned to Marco. "Send her somewhere safe. Like you did with me during the cartel war."
"That was different," he said quietly.
"How? Because you loved Sylvia more?"
The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. Marco's face went completely blank – the expression I'd learned meant he was truly angry.
"Sierra." His voice could have frozen hell. "Leave."
She opened her mouth, then thought better of it. With one last look at me – part anger, part fear – she walked out.
Silence stretched. I watched Marco, seeing the muscle jumping in his jaw.
"She's right," he finally said. "You should go."
"No."
"Harriet—"
"I said no." I moved to him, taking his face in my hands. "You don't get to decide this for me."
"He'll use you against me. Like he used Sylvia."
"I'm not Sylvia." I made him meet my eyes. "And you're not the same man you were then. You said that yourself."
"If anything happened to you..."
"Nothing will happen to me." I pressed closer, feeling his resolve weaken. "I'm yours, remember? And you protect what's yours."
He kissed me then, deep and desperate. Like he was trying to absorb me into himself, keep me safe under his skin.
When we broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine. "When did you get so brave?"
"Around the time I fell in love with a monster."
His breath caught. "Harriet..."
"I know what you are." I touched his face. "I've seen the blood on your hands, the darkness in your eyes. And I'm still here."
"Say it again."
"I love you." The words felt like freedom. Like falling. Like flying. "God help me, but I do."
He pulled back enough to look at me, and for the first time, I saw raw emotion on his face. "You're sure? Even knowing what's coming? What I'll have to do?"
"I'm sure." I smiled. "Besides, someone needs to make your coffee. Since you got my other job blown up."
He laughed, the sound warming something deep in my chest. Then his expression turned serious.
"Martinez will come for you first. Try to break me like before."
"Let him try." I lifted my chin. "I'm not that easy to break."
"No." He smiled, and there was darkness in it. Beauty and violence and love. "You're not. You're mine."
Three days. Three days until Martinez came to take everything from him.
Let him try. He didn't know what he was up against.
Because Marco wasn't the only monster in this story anymore. And I'd kill anyone who tried to take him from me.
God help us both.
- Writer
