Bad Decisions

chapter 9 refusal

CHAPTER 9 — Refusal

Marcus leaned back against the couch, his breathing uneven, his shirt torn and stained. The cut along his ribs was still bleeding, but his eyes were steady, locked on her like she was the only thing keeping him upright.“Lena,” he said quietly, “you can’t stay here.”Her stomach dropped. “What?”“You need to leave. Tonight.”She shook her head instantly. “No.”His jaw tightened. “You don’t understand—”“I understand enough.” She moved closer, kneeling in front of him, her hands gripping his knees. “You’re hurt. You’re bleeding. And you’re telling me to walk away? No.”His eyes flickered — frustration, fear, something raw. “If you stay, you’re a target.”“I already am,” she whispered. “The man at the door made that clear.”Marcus’s breath caught. He closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling like he was trying to push the weight of the world off his chest. “That’s exactly why you need to go.”She shook her head again, fierce. “I’m not leaving you.”“Lena—”“No.” Her voice sharpened, stronger than she felt. “You don’t get to decide that for me.”His eyes opened, dark and dangerous. “You think this is a choice?”“Yes.” She leaned closer, her hands sliding up his thighs, grounding him. “It’s mine.”Marcus stared at her, silent, his jaw flexing. His hand lifted, trembling, brushing her cheek. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”“Then tell me.”He hesitated. Then: “If you stay, you’ll see things you can’t unsee. You’ll hear things you can’t forget. You’ll be pulled into a world that doesn’t let people walk away.”Her pulse hammered. “Then I’ll stay anyway.”His thumb brushed her skin, his eyes softening despite the tension. “Why?”“Because I’d rather be in danger with you than safe without you.”Marcus’s breath broke — a quiet, unsteady sound. He leaned forward, his forehead pressing against hers, his hand sliding into her hair. “You’re stubborn.”“You like that about me.”He huffed a laugh that turned into a wince. “Yeah. I do.”She kissed him — soft, steady, grounding. He kissed her back, desperate, almost broken. His hand tightened in her hair, his other arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer despite the pain.When they broke apart, his eyes were darker, heavier, but steadier. “If you stay, you don’t leave my side. Not once. Not for anything.”She nodded. “I won’t.”“Promise me.”“I promise.”His jaw flexed. “Then we fight together.”Her breath caught. “Fight?”He leaned back, his hand sliding to the cut along his ribs. “He’s coming back. And when he does, I won’t be alone.”She swallowed hard, her pulse racing. “Neither will I.”Marcus’s eyes locked on hers — dangerous, conflicted, unguarded. “Then we’re in this together.”Her voice was steady. “We already were.”