Closer than you think

I stayed in the hospital, Marco didn't come again, but he made sure guards were stationed in and out of the hospital room. 

“Morning Miss Emily, you're husband just processed your discharge. 

I looked at the nurse, I was happy about the information, because I was already tired of the hospital. 

“Would it be okay if I go home? I've just been here for three days.” I asked her. 

“Yes ma'am, you've recovered, all you need is rest.” She said smiling. 

I got up from the bed, one of the guards came rushing to my side as I stood up. 

“I'm fine Jonathan,I can walk on my own”  I had taken it upon myself to learn the names of each guard that was protecting me and out of all of them, Jonathan was my favorite. 

We got home, I breathed in the scent of Marco's estate. I had never been so happy about home like I was now. 

After a brief meal and a check-in with the in-house medic, I was left alone to rest. The door creaked open gently. I knew it was Marco before I even looked.

"You're awake," he said, stepping in and closing the door behind him.

"Couldn't sleep."

He nodded and walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. 

"How are you feeling?"

"Alive," I whispered. "Thanks to you."

He didn’t smile, that scared me more than I wanted to admit.

"You deserve the truth now," he said. "No more secrets. Not after what happened."

I sat up a little, my back against the headboard. My heart beating faster. "What truth?"

Marco sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "It's about your father. And why you're in danger."

I swallowed. "My father? What does he have to do with this?"

He looked me in the eyes, gaze unwavering. "Everything."

I listened in stunned silence as Marco began to speak.

"Years ago, your father wasn't just some wealthy businessman. He was a part of us. A high-ranking member of the mafia alliance that ruled the east coast. He was sharp, dangerous, and loyal. Or so we thought."

My pulse quickened. I had never known much about my father's past. 

"He was part of something bigger," Marco continued. "He handled finances, moved money, managed off-the-record deals for the syndicate. He was one of the trusted few. But something changed when your mother got pregnant with you."

I leaned forward, breath caught. "What changed?"

"He left."

"He faked his own death and vanished. Took money, files, identities—things that couldn’t be replaced. No one knew why. But then we found out your mother was pregnant. And we realized he wasn’t trying to destroy us. He was trying to protect you."

My throat went dry. I had so many questions, but none seemed to form into words.

"To the rest of the underworld," Marco said, his voice low, "your father was a traitor. And you, Emily... you are his blood."

My stomach turned. "So... they want me dead because of him?"

He nodded. "They think you might have inherited something—information, access codes, assets he buried before leaving. Or maybe they just want revenge. Either way, your bloodmakes you a target"

"Why did you refuse to tell me this before?"

"Because I was trying to keep you in the dark for as long as possible. The less you knew, the safer you were. But now... that safety is gone"

My eyes shot to his. "Why?"

"Because now, you're not just the daughter of a traitor. You're the wife of one of the most powerful mafia lords in the city. That makes you leverage. Or a threat."

Marco reached for my hand. "I will protect you, no one dares touch what's mine and lives. But you need to be careful." He said with a smirk on his face.

I swallowed hard. "You think they'll come after me again?"

"I know they will."

I closed my eyes, trying to absorb it all. My father betrayed the people he worked with, and now I was married into the very world that wanted to destroy me.

"Why did you marry me, Marco?" I asked softly. "Was it to protect me? Or because you needed leverage too?"

He looked away for a long moment. "That's a story for another day little one" he said patting my head. 

Silence wrapped around us like a fog. I had a million questions, but they would have to wait. There was something in Marco's tone, something raw, that told me this conversation wasn’t over.

"There's more, isn't there?" I asked.

He nodded slowly. "Yes. And this part is the hardest."

He stood and walked over to the window, pulling back the curtain just enough to peek outside.

"Some of the people targeting you... they're already inside. Not just in this city, not just in my territory."

My mouth went dry. "What do you mean?"

"Some of your enemies are closer than you think." I stiffened.

"How close?"

Marco looked at me, a warning in his voice. "Close enough to already know everything about you."

I wasn’t sure who I could trust anymore. But one thing was sure, this was just the beginning.