chapter 5 the call
674 Words
CHAPTER 5 — The Call
Marcus didn’t move for a long moment after Rafe left. He stood in the middle of the room, shoulders tense, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the door like he could still see the echo of the conversation hanging in the air.
Lena stepped closer. “Marcus.”
He blinked once, slow, like he was pulling himself back from somewhere far away. “Yeah.”
“You’re scaring me.”
His eyes softened. “I won’t let anything touch you.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She touched his arm. “You’re scaring me because you’re not saying anything.”
He exhaled, long and controlled. “I’m thinking.”
“About the job?”
“About you.”
Her breath caught. “Me?”
He nodded once. “You being here changes things.”
Before she could ask what that meant, his phone buzzed — sharp, loud, insistent. He didn’t look at her. He answered.
“Yeah.”
A pause.
His entire body went still.
“When?” he asked.
Another pause.
“I’ll be there.”
He hung up.
Lena’s stomach dropped. “Marcus…?”
He didn’t speak. He walked to the dresser, grabbed the holster, strapped it on with practiced movements. His shirt followed, then his jacket. Every motion was precise, efficient, controlled.
“Marcus.”
He finally looked at her — and she saw it. The thing he’d been trying to hide. The thing Rafe had hinted at.
Danger.
“I have to go,” he said quietly.
Her throat tightened. “Is it the job?”
“Yes.”
“Is it bad?”
His jaw flexed. “It’s not good.”
She stepped closer. “Can I come with you?”
“No.” His voice was firm, but not unkind. “Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know what I’m walking into.”
She swallowed. “Are you in danger?”
He didn’t answer.
That was her answer.
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “Listen to me. You stay here. You lock the door. You don’t open it for anyone but me.”
Her pulse hammered. “Marcus—”
“I mean it.” His voice dropped, low and rough. “I need you safe.”
She grabbed his wrist. “And I need you to come back.”
His eyes flickered — something raw, something unguarded. “I will.”
“You promise?”
He hesitated. Just a fraction. Just enough for her to feel it.
“I’ll do everything I can.”
It wasn’t a promise. It was the truth.
He kissed her — not like last night, not like the morning. This kiss was quick, fierce, almost desperate. His hand slid into her hair, holding her still for one heartbeat, two, three.
Then he pulled back.
“Stay inside,” he said. “Don’t leave.”
She nodded, even though her chest felt tight enough to crack.
He walked to the door. His hand hovered over the handle. He looked back at her one last time — the scar through his brow catching the light, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“Lena.”
Her breath caught. “Yeah?”
“If anything happens…” He paused, choosing his words. “Hide.”
Her stomach dropped. “Marcus—”
But he was already gone.
The door shut behind him with a solid, final click.
Silence filled the apartment.
Lena stood in the middle of the room, staring at the door, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her fingertips. The apartment felt bigger now. Emptier. Colder.
She walked to the window, looked down at the street. Marcus was already gone. No car. No footsteps. No sign of him.
Just the city.
Just the quiet.
Just the knowledge that he was walking into something dangerous — and she was stuck here, waiting, wondering, wanting him back.
She locked the door.
Then she locked it again.
And she waited.
- Writer
