CHAPTER 10
2067 Words
RAVEN.
I sat in the diner with Daya, my mind wandering. I hadn't told her about what I saw while hacking for Xavier. Why? I don't know.
She only knew about the $50,000. It still felt surreal—having that much money, like it was all mine. I’d sent $10,000 to Racheal, my sister, to start up a business. I made her promise not to tell Mom and Dad. She was surprised but still happy.
Ever since LA, I’d been carrying this heavy knot in my chest. The things I said, the way I acted—it had been eating at me. Maybe sending Racheal the money was my way of patching the wound, of easing the guilt just a little. At least with her, I knew it wouldn’t go to waste. Racheal was smart, grounded—she’d make something of it. Unlike Lisa.
I let out a long breath. Lisa…
I’d sort of apologized to Racheal, in my own way, even if I hadn’t said the words outright. But Lisa—I hadn’t even called her yet.Maybe I’d been too harsh in LA. I shouldn’t have been so mean to them. I
sighed again.
“Everything okay?” Daya asked.
“It’s nothing,” I replied, getting up to call Mom.
I went outside to make a call. Mom didn’t pick up, so I braced myself and
dialed Lisa.
“Hey,” she answered, a little awkward.
“I’m sorry for how I treated you,” I said, skipping pleasantries. “I just hated
feeling like you guys were putting too much pressure on Mom and Dad.”
The words slipped before I could stop them. Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure why
I was apologizing—maybe to quiet the guilt eating at me.
Lisa let out a small chuckle, catching me off guard. “Emily, I get it. Maybe I
needed the kick.”
“I didn’t mean you’re a burden,” I added quickly. —Though part of me still
thought it.
“I know,” she said. “Actually… I got a job at McDonald’s. And I’m babysitting on
weekends too.”
“That’s… really awesome,” I said, surprised at how genuine it sounded. And it
was.
“Thanks for lighting a fire under me,” Lisa said.
“No problem, sis. Anytime you need someone to kick your ass, you know I’m
here.”
She laughed. “Alright, I’ve gotta go—lunch break’s almost over.”When the call ended, I stood there for a moment, oddly lighter. I couldn’t even
remember the last time me and my sisters had bonded like this. It felt good—
strange, but good. Maybe I was getting better.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and headed into the diner.
“You okay?” Daya asked.
I nodded.
The diner bell rang. Daya whistled.
“What?” I asked.
She nudged me to look. A handsome man in a tailored black suit walked in, his
piercing gaze scanning the room.
Damn. Not as hot as Xavier, but still.
Why did I have to think of him now? It’s been two weeks since I helped them
hack into the Marono family’s s**t. The way my body behaved when I was
close to him—I couldn’t explain it. Like it was wired differently around him.
And those blue eyes of his… they pinned me down without even touching me.
I accidentally made eye contact with the stranger, and he locked eyes with me.
His intense stare sent shivers down my spine.
I quickly diverted my gaze.
“He’s coming here,” Daya whispered.
My heart raced.
“Seriously?” I mouthed.Daya nodded.
Why was he approaching our booth?
I pretended to check my phone while Daya batted her eyelashes.
The air filled with his expensive cologne, announcing his presence.
“Hey, you,” Daya said seductively.
He ignored her, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said, his deep voice sending a chill down my spine.
“Uhm... hi.”
“Do you mind if I sit?” he asked, his tone commanding.
Daya answered, “Of course not.” and he sat down close to Daya opposite me.
“So what made you stop by here?” Daya asked him.
“I saw two beautiful ladies and decided to stop by to say hello.”
He stretched out his hand for me.
“What’s your name?” he asked. I told him before taking his hand.
“Emily. Nice name.” The way he said my name made a shiver run down my
spine—not in a good way.
“I’m Marco. Marco Marano.”My hand stiffened at his last name.
Marano.
I would never forget that name, no matter how hard I tried in these past
couple of weeks.
Could it be that he just has the same last name as those people whose
cybersecurity I hacked?
Coincidence?
Unlikely.
I have a feeling there’s a reason he mentioned his last name—because people
don’t casually introduce themselves with their last name.
Does he know I helped in destroying his cybersecurity?
I withdrew my hand, feeling sweat trickle down my face.
“Nice name,” I said, trying to sound calm.
I needed to keep my cool.
He smirked, turning to Daya.
“And your name?”
After Daya replied, I excused myself, feeling the need to get the f**k out of
there.
Marco followed me. I could hear him behind me.
As soon as we left the diner, he grabbed my hand, turning me to face him.“Emily, I thought we could get to know each other better.”
He didn’t sound like he wanted to know me. He sounded like he wanted to
know something from me.
“Maybe another time,” I said, trying to tug my hand away.
His grip tightened, his eyes boring into mine.
“Now doesn’t seem so bad, does it?”
Someone pulled me from Marco’s grip.
“She said next time, didn’t she?” Dem said, and I’ve never been more happy to
see this stranger than now.
Marco stepped back, his gaze still intense.
“I just wanted a little chat.”
Dem towered over him. They were the same height, but Dem was more
masculine than him. I mean… Dem was huge, and if they decided to get into a
fistfight, it was obvious who the winner would be.
“The last time I checked, ‘chat’ doesn’t involve force,” I said, gaining courage
now that Dem was here.
Marco raised his hands, but his eyes never left mine.
“I guess another time… Emily.”
His tone sent chills down my spine. I didn’t like the way he said my name.
He walked to a sleek black SUV and drove off.I faced Dem.
“Uhm, thanks.”
Dem winked and entered a small black car with tinted windows. He didn’t
drive his usual SUV.
“Was this a coincidence?” I asked.
Dem chuckled and drove off.
Daya approached.
“So, how did it go?”
“I knew he was into you. That’s why, when he went after you, I didn’t come
along,” she said.
I needed to tell Daya everything.
“Look, I have something to tell you.”
Daya frowned. “Don’t tell me you didn’t take his number.”
I shook my head.
We went inside, and I told her everything—hacking the Maranos’ files, Dem
showing up out of nowhere, and Marco’s unsettling little power play.
Daya’s eyes widened. “What the actual f**k, Emily? You’re telling me you
hacked into some mafia s**t and now that handsomd dude named Marco is
after you?”A few heads turned at her volume. She lowered her voice.
I nodded, my stomach twisting. “I just hope he doesn’t go after Dem for saving
me.”
Daya groaned, rubbing her temples. “Girl, I knew he was too damn fine to be
safe. But why didn’t you stop when you realized the files were... you know…
illegal?”
I shrugged. “Couldn’t back down, Daya. You know I hate quitting.”
She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they’d stick. “That stubbornness is gonna
get you killed one day.” She leaned closer. “So you think Marco’s, like, from
the… Maroon fam—”
“Marano,” I corrected automatically. “Not Maroon. And yeah, obviously. Why
else would he announce his last name like that? But I don’t get it—I just helped
Xavier. It’s not like I’m walking around with the file in my pocket.”
Daya gave me a flat look. “Oh, my little dummy.” She poked my forehead. “He
doesn’t think you have it. He probably wants you to hack Xavier’s system and
steal it back for him. And if you don’t agree…” She trailed off, her face going
pale.
“s**t, Emily. What if he kidnaps you? Tortures you until you do it? You’re
literally playing in the mafia sandbox right now.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I already know I’m in deep s**t, you don’t need to
keep spelling it out. And I’m not sure I can go back to—” I waved vaguely “—
Mr. Baxston or whatever his name is.”
Daya smirked despite herself. “What changed? You were all starry-eyed before,
now he’s just ‘whatever-his-name-is’?”
“He put me in this s**t, Day. I don’t wanna get sucked into whatever the hell
they do either. And between Marco and Xavier, I’m not sure who’s scarier.”Daya grabbed my arm, dead serious now. “Emily, listen. You are not safe. Forget the cops—the Maranos are obviously powerful. Like it or not, Xavier is your
best shot at surviving this.”
I searched her face. “You think Marco would actually kill me?”
“Hundred percent,” she said without missing a beat.
I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. “So… if I go back to
Xavier, you think he’ll actually help me?”
“He better,” Daya said, raising her fist like she was about to fight someone
twice her size. “Or I’ll punch him in that annoyingly perfect face myself.”
Despite everything, I laughed—and hated that it felt like the last time I might.
Then I began weighing my options.
“Fine,” I said finally. “I’ll go.”
Even though I don’t want anything to do with Xavier’s scary s**t, I still don’t
want to die—and maybe Xavier could at least do something about Marco.
Daya nodded, relief washing over her face. “I’ll come with you.”
I shook my head firmly. “No, Daya. I promised them I wouldn’t tell anyone. You
can’t come.”
Daya’s expression turned stubborn. “Emily, don’t be stupid. You need someone
watching your back.”
“I’ll be fine,” I insisted.
Daya’s voice dropped to a whisper. “okay, but remember I'm here for you”I nodded finishing my drink. “I know, Day. ” I said gratefully “ thank you”.
“ okay so you're going now, right?”. Daya asked
“ now? Can't I wait till like tomorrow or so?”.
“ no Em, you have to go today— now to be precise, since you're still alive ”.
I rolled my eyes “ fine I'll go” I took my purse standing up from the chair. Daya mirrored my action.
Daya’s eyes locked onto mine, concern etched on her face. “Be careful, Emily. Please.”
“I know. I’ll try.”
“God, I can’t believe you’re involved with mafia people and s**t,” Daya held my. Shoulders. “Promise me you won’t die.”
I forced a laugh. She had said that to lighten the mood, but I was far from being lightened up.
This s**t was serious, and now Marco knows I’m involved. Or should I meet Marco instead and beg him to spare me?
I guess another time... Emily.
The way he said it—it sounded like we’d definitely have an encounter again. And it’s not going to be as nice as this one.
- Writer
