I love you Marco

I didn’t go straight home after leaving Seraphina’s. I needed to breathe. Get ahead of whatever fallout was coming.

Because there would be fallout.

Her father wouldn’t take this lightly. The Marchesi were power-hungry, territorial, and arrogant enough to believe they were untouchable. Cutting ties with them didn’t just end a personal affair, it meant stepping on a landmine. One I was prepared for, one I’d known I’d eventually have to face.

I leaned against the hood of my car in the middle of the empty lot behind the club I owned downtown. Lit a cigarette. Watched the smoke spiral into the air as I stared at nothing.

What the hell was I doing?

I had built my empire with rules, no attachments, no weaknesses, no distractions. Everything was about leverage and survival. But ever since Emily walked into my world, it hadn’t been the same. 

She wasn’t just a contract anymore. She wasn’t just someone I’d taken to save her family or fulfill some promise. Somewhere along the line, I’d started watching the way she smiled when she thought no one was looking. The way she curled into herself when she was afraid, but still stood back up.

And now?

I’d burned a bridge with the Marchesi fod her and I didn’t regret it.

I let out a laugh as I puffed my cigarette, I pulled out my phone, stared at the screen. No missed calls. No texts. She was probably already asleep. I hoped she was.

She needed the rest.

Tomorrow, everything will change again. The moment word got out that Seraphina and I were finished, the wolves would come sniffing. My enemies would start circling. Some of them were already closer than Emily realized. Closer than I’d like to admit.

And anyone who came for her… they’d find out just how far I was willing to go.

I put out the cigarette, slid back into the car, and gave the driver a single command.

“Take me home.”

EMILY'S POV

I stirred on the bed, my eyes fluttered open. 

How did I get here? 

I looked down, I was in my night wear. I shot up, Shit! 

How did I fall that deep asleep? 

I stood up from the bed and looked outside, everywhere was still a little bit dark. 

I removed my clothes and walked to the bathroom. Taking a towel with me as I walked inside. 

After making sure I washed every soothe away, I stepped out of the bathroom. 

Sitting on my bed was Marco, his eyes looked empty as he gazed at the door. 

I felt the need to reach out to him and hug him, “are you okay?” I walked closer to him. 

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over my half naked body, the intensity of his gaze made me realize that the only thing covering me was a towel. 

Marco stood up and placed a hand on my waist, “what are you doing to me Emily,” he hugged me, drawing me closer to his chest as he inhaled my hair. 

“I-I don't understand what you mean,” I said, trying to break away from the hug. 

“Shhhh, just stay still.” He replied hugging me tighter. 

I brought my hands to his back and patted him on the back, he seemed to like that, he hugged me tighter. 

Marco broke the hug and brought his lips down to mine, he kissed me slowly as if we had all the time in the world. 

I leaned forward, savoring the kiss while his hands played with my hair. 

This kiss was different, I felt like with every movement, he was opening his soul to me. I didn't know what came over me, tears slipped down my face. 

Marco broke the kiss “what happened Em? Are you okay?” “Why are you crying?” The worried expression on his face told me that he was really sincere. 

I let out a quiet sov, Marco sat on the bed and pulled me into his laps, rocking me softly as I cried. 

When I quieted down a little bit “ I love you Marco.” I blurted out without even realizing. 

It was after I said it that I realized what I had said, I stood up from his laps, while he just sat there frozen. 

“I-I should probably leave.” Marco said, he actually stammered, I looked at him, he looked like he was fighting to maintain his cool. 

Without another word, he turned and left, as the door locked behind him, I wondered if things would still be the same after my silly confession.