Chapter Five
1203 Words
Chapter Five
Her eyes widened as the name struck her. East Blood Mafia. She’d been targeting them. It was the name tied to the very mission that had shaped her.
Was it a coincidence? Could there be two different groups with the same name? Or worse, had Marvy known all along?
Her thoughts started to spiral.
“Hi, Zara,” Chris said, flashing a warm smile.
“Hi.” She turned to him, forcing a polite expression. “Welcome.”
Anthony glanced at Marvy’s sons, then at her. “Your boys have grown into fine men, but you never told me you had such a beautiful daughter.”
Rose opened her mouth to reply, but Marvy quickly cut in. “I did, but you always seem to forget. Too busy trying to be the unstoppable family in the city.”
Everyone laughed except Zara. She just stood there, staring at Anthony, unblinking. Her gaze was sharp, heavy with suspicion.
If Rose opened her mouth, she probably would’ve spoiled the mood with her sharp tongue.
Chris kept staring at Zara.
When everyone left, only Rose and the maids stayed to get lunch ready.
Zara slipped away quickly, heading to her room. Her mind spinning from what had just unraveled. She couldn’t believe it. Her targets; right here, standing next to Marvy. Smiling with him. Laughing like a family.
This made everything much harder.
She’d been preparing to take them down. And now, they were wrapped around Marvy like brothers.
She gripped the edge of her bed. One wrong strike, and it was all over.
If she acted, and they found out it was her, Marvy would suffer. And if Marvy found out she was the one who attacked them? It would be over for her. Unless she found a silent way.
“f**k!” Zara hit the wall with her fist and groaned. She was so angry. Her breathing came fast and uneven. Sweat ran down her face.
She sat there for hours, thinking about everything possible.
Then, a knock.
“Open the door, Zara.” It was Marvy.
She opened the door. He walked in, calm. He pulled a chair and sat beside her while they stayed quiet for a moment.
“Hey,” he said finally. “I need to talk to you.”
She didn’t respond. Just stared at him, waiting.
He leaned forward slightly. “It’s time for you to make certain decisions. Ones that will benefit the family.”
“What decisions?” she asked coldly.
Marvy paused. Just enough to show this wasn’t easy for him.
"The East Blood is offering a marriage alliance. Between you and their son.”
Zara blinked. “A marriage alliance?”
“Yes,” he said. “This union will strengthen both families. With their backing, we’ll be untouchable. No neighboring group will dare move against us. We’ll be more powerful than ever.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Really, Dad? "You’re going to sell me off like I’m some pawn?”
Marvy exhaled. “No. I’m not selling you. That’s why I came to discuss it with you.”
He paused, his tone softer. “That’s all I ask from you, Zara.”
He looked her straight in the eyes. “He’ll treat you well, like his own." We’ve known them for years. He wouldn’t hurt you. Trust me”
“But I’ll give you some time to think about it,” he added.
“I need to know him for myself. I can’t just walk into a marriage,” Zara replied firmly.
“Yeah, sure. You’ll get to meet him. They’ll be staying in town for a while. Take your time to know each other, then decide. I trust you’ll make the right choice.”
**********************
Later that week, she sat across Chris in a fancy Italian restaurant. She was dressed elegantly, her hair neatly styled for the occasion. After taking a sip of wine, she dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
“You look beautiful, Zara. Thank you for showing up. I’m delighted,” Chris said warmly.
“The pleasure is mine,” she replied, looking away as she forced a smile, doing her best to stay calm. Inside, in her mind she wondered how long the evening would drag on.
“Can I ask you a question?” he said after a sip.
“Yes, you can.”
“Are you okay with this marriage treaty? I know it came so sudden, and you might not want this. I wouldn’t want any treaty to affect your plans.”
“I haven’t thought about that yet. Are you?” she asked carefully.
“I’m fine. More than fine, actually. But Zara, this isn’t about me. If you aren’t okay, what’s the point? I wouldn’t want to force this on you. If you say no, I’ll stop it. It won’t even be raised again between our families.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You would do that for me? Why?”
He paused, looking down before he replied, “ I know what it is like to be forced. My father made decisions for me. None of it was ever my choice."
Getting pulled into the family business, running the empire, was never my decision. I’ve always dreamed of a different life, a normal one. But here I am. I don't want to see anyone else go through the same.”
Zara stared at him in awe. She hadn’t expected honesty like this on their first meeting. Everything he said reflected her own unspoken feelings.
He didn’t sound like he wanted this life either. At that moment, she felt a connection.
“How do I believe anything you say?” she asked.
"Ask around if you want. My father and I were never on good terms. I used to fight him for everything until I finally gave up.”
“This marriage treaty? It’s for their best interest, but to me…” He paused, searching for the right words. To me, it’s a chance. A path to companionship. Maybe even freedom from the weight that comes with all this.”
He leaned forward slightly. “I need someone to bond with. Someone I can count on to stop me from repeating the same mistakes. So… what do you say?”
Zara stayed silent, her eyes fixed on him, her mind caught between duty and fear. She wondered if everything he said was practiced just to win her over.
But somehow, he felt real. Different from the men she knew. Not loud, but calm.
Her chest skipped, but she ignored it. She had to be certain. She couldn’t afford to make mistakes. Still, if this was not a charade, then accepting him could mean more for her.
“I…”
Before, she could say more. He leaned in, with a neutral look. “I’m giving you the honor to make your choice,” he said softly. “ It's okay if you say no.”
Before she could even process it, he reached across the table and took her hand. His eyes held that earnest, vulnerable look that made her chest tighten.
“Zara Specter,” he said, “will you marry me?”
- Writer
