Screams

I woke up the next morning, my legs still felt sore from last night. 

Marco wasn’t in the room, but I found a fresh cup of coffee on the nightstand beside me and a post-it note stuck to the mug:

You’re not leaving this house without security. We’ll talk. —M.

I sighed and drank the coffee. I went to the bathroom and took my bath, after shower, I dresssed in a light blue blouse and black pants, I tied my hair in a low bun and applied some makeup, not too much. 

I walked downstairs and found Marco in his office, talking to one of his men. The second he saw me, he ended the conversation with a quick nod, his eyes narrowing as they swept over me.

“You’re dressed,” he said, his eyes raking over my body. 

“Yes. I’m going to work.”

He leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his broad chest. “You’re not going anywhere without security.”

Marco looked at me, his eyes still going over my body. I felt shy under his gaze. 

I exhaled, trying to stay calm and focused. “I can’t have bodyguards trailing behind me into meetings and coffee breaks. People already whisper about me. It’ll only get worse.”

Marco stood up. “They won’t be beside you. They’ll follow at a distance. They’re trained to be discreet.” 

“Discreet?” I raised an eyebrow. “Marco, I work in an office, not a war zone.”

He walked toward me, voice low. “Emily, someone tried to take you. Twice. I don’t care if you’re going to a board meeting or a bakery, you’re being watched. End of story.”

I wanted to argue, I really did. But the image of those masked men bursting into my office flashed behind my eyes. The pain in my shoulder from where I’d hit the wall still ached slightly.

“Fine,” I muttered, brushing past him. “But they better stay out of sight.”

“You have my word,” he said, and just as I reached the door, he added, “One more thing.”

I turned, “aren't you forgetting something?” He asked as he approached me slowly. 

I stood, frozen to a spot. “A good wife always leaves after a good bye kiss, don't you think?” 

The minute the last word left his mouth, Marco's lips came crashing on mine. I was expecting it to be rough like last night's. But it was so gentle, he removed his lips from mine and placed a kiss on my forehead. 

“If anything feels off,” he said, “you call me. I don’t care if it’s a paper jam or someone sneezing wrong. I’ll come myself.”

I nodded once, my cheeks had turned red by now and then I walked out.

“Morning ma'am,” Jonathan greeted with a smile as he opened the car door. 

The ride to the office was tense, Jonathan noticed and tried to lighten the mood by making silly jokes. Truthfully, it worked, we ended up laughing throughout the ride. 

Two black SUVs followed behind the sedan I was in. I could see the reflections in every side mirror. It was subtle, but anyone paying attention would know. I had to admit, though, they kept their distance like Marco promised.

When we pulled up to the building, the new front desk receptionist stood the moment she saw me. “Good morning, Mrs. Martinii.”

I nodded. “Morning.”

I made it to my office without incident, Mia, was already waiting, phone in hand and eyes wide.

“Emily,” she said breathlessly, “thank God you’re okay. I was scared when I heard…”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Let’s keep today normal, okay?”

Camille nodded, still staring. “Sure. Totally.”

I buried myself in work. Oftentimes, I’d glance out the window. One of Marco’s guards stood across the street, sunglasses on, hands folded in front of him, h didn’t move much. 

Around noon, I stepped into the break room to get coffee.

I poured myself a cup and tried not to notice two women at the far end of the room whispering. They weren’t even subtle about it.

“Her husband’s Marco Virelli. You know who he is, right?” one of them said.

“Yeah, I heard,” the other whispered. “She married into blood money.”

The words stung. They had no idea what I’d been through. What I was still going through.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Marco.

M:

How’s it going?

I hesitated, then typed back:

Me:

Weird. But okay. Thanks for the guards.

A reply came instantly.

M:

Anything happens, call me. Instantly.

I pocketed the phone and headed back to my office, reminding myself that at least for now… I was safe.

The rest of the day moved slower than I expected. By 3 p.m., I was exhausted, mostly from trying to act normal when I felt anything but normal. 

I was reviewing a logistics report in my office when the fire alarm blared. The shrill sound pierced the air, followed almost immediately by flashing red lights in the hallway.

Then I heard screams.

I shot up from my chair, Mia burst into the room, her face pale. "Emily! The building, it’s on fire! It started in the lower floors. They think it was the parking level. We have to leave now!"