My blood ran cold at Shanya’s words. Marco’s hand found mine in the darkness, squeezing
warning to stay still
once
–
a silent
“The Romanos won’t know what hit them,” Antonio’s voice joined in. “With the Russians‘ support, we’ll wipe them
out in one night.”
I shifted closer to the gap, straining to hear more details of their plan. My foot caught on a loose piece of metal,
sending it skittering across the concrete
The voices inside went quiet
“Check the perimeter, Shanya ordered
Marco pulled me back into the shadows, pressing me against the wall. His body shielded mine as footsteps approached. I held my breath, feeling his heart race against my chest.
The guard passed within inches of us, flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. After what felt like eternity,
he moved on
“Clear!” he called back
I released my breath, but Marco didn’t move away. His face remained inches from mine, eyes searching my features with an intensity that made my pulse jump.
“We need to go,” he whispered, but his hands stayed on my waist.
“Not yet.” I glanced toward the warehouse. “We need to know more about-”
“Isabella.” His voice was rough. “They’re planning to move next week. We have time to prepare, but not if we get caught tonight”
He was right, but something else bothered me “How are you so calm about this? They’re talking about taking
over the coast.”
A strange expression crossed his face – something between amusement and determination. “Let them try”
Before I could question his confidence, new voices approached, Marco grabbed my hand and we slipped away through the maze of containers, making our way back to the car.
Only when we were safely driving away did I realize I was still clutching his hand. I pulled away, ignoring the lingering warmth.
“What now?” I asked.
“Now w
“Now?” Marco’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. prepare for war”
The drive back was tense, my mind racing with everything we’d overheard. Marco pulled into the garage of his penthouse, but neither of us moved to get out
“They’re really going to try to destroy my family. I stared at my hands, clenched in my lap.
“Look at me.” Marco turned in his eest. “The Kabbaros are making a mistake aligning with the Russians. They
think it makes them untouchable.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“No.” His jaw tightened. “The Russians are unpredictable, violent. They’ll turn on Shanya the moment they get
what they want.”
I rubbed my temples. “This is all because of that marriage. Antonio and Shanya’s union was never about love – it
was about power.”
*Most marriages in our world are.” Marco’s eyes locked with mine, making my breath catch. “But they don’t have
to be.”
Heat crept up my neck, I broke eye contact, but his presence filled the car, magnetic and overwhelming.
“We should go inside,” I managed
In his living room, Marco poured us both drinks. His fingers brushed mine as he handed me the glass, sending sparks across my skin.
Maña Queen Engaged to Thelem
“What did you mean earlier?” I asked. “About letting them try?”
He moved closer, and I caught his scent – expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely him. “There are things you don’t know about me, Isabella. About my real position.”
“Like what?”
“Soon.” He touched my cheek, his thumb tracing my jawline. “But right now, I need you to trust that I won’t let anything happen to your family.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. I should pull away, maintain distance. Instead, I found myself leaning into
his touch.
“Why do you care so much?”
His eyes darkened. “You know why.”
And I did. The realization hit me like a wave – I was falling for him. Despite everything, despite my promises to
guard my heart, Marco had slipped past my defenses
I stepped back from Marco’s touch, my skin still tingling where his fingers had been. The room felt too warm, toc
small
“I should hate you,” I whispered. “You’re trying to force me into marriage.”
“Is that what you think?” Marco moved closer, his presence overwhelming my senses. “I’ve never forced
anything, Isabella. I gave you a choice.”
“A choice?” I spun to face him. “My family’s safety for my hand in marriage doesn’t sound like much of a choice.”
“No.” His voice dropped low “The choice was whether to let yourself feel what’s been growing between us since
that first night.”
My breath caught. “Marco-”
“Tell me you don’t feel it too.” His fingers traced my arm, leaving fire in their wake. “Tell me I’m wrong about the
way you look at me when you think I’m not watching.”
“1-“The words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t lie, not about this. Not anymore.
“You’re nothing like him,” I said instead. “Alexander. He made promises too.”
Marco’s jaw tightened at the name. “I’m not asking for promises. I’m asking for trust.”
“I do trust you.” The admission shocked us both. “That’s what scares me
He cupped my face in his hands, thumbs brushing my cheeks. “Don’t be scared of this.”
I met his gaze, drowning in the intensity there. All my walls, my carefully constructed defenses, crumbled under
the weight of what I saw in his eyes
“Marco.” His name was barely a breath between us.
He closed the distance slowly, giving me time to pull away. I didn’t. His lips met mine, soft at first, then with growing hunger. I gripped his shirt, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened. His hands tangled in my hair, and I lost myself in the taste of him, the feel of his body pressed against mine.
There was no going back from this moment
