Marco's POV
"Romano."
Marco called out. Romano was one of his most trusted men — like a brother to him. One blood, one family.
"Yes?" Romano lifted his head.
"She's pretty, isn't she?"
Romano frowned. "Who are you talking about, Marco?"
Marco stared at him, surprised. "The girl from last night. Don't tell me you already forgot."
Romano scoffed. "You're into too many women, Marco. You use them and dump them. You even kill some."
"I don't kill innocent people. Remember that," Marco snapped.
Romano folded his arms. "So… what are you planning to do about her?"
"Take her in, of course," Marco replied, standing up.
"Hell no." Romano stepped back immediately. "You can't do that."
"And why not?"
"Because she's new here. Give the poor girl a break. Especially now that she has a baby."
Marco smirked. "You're too soft, brother. But I, Marco, am not."
"Oh really?" Romano followed him downstairs. "Let's talk about how you looked at her with so much care and attention. You even ordered the men to find out her name immediately. Marco, you don't care about women. But last night? I saw it. The way you looked at her. The way you killed those men for her. And the way you took her home without touching her. That's not you."
"What happened last night was because of the little girl," Marco lied, avoiding Romano's gaze.
"And what about this morning?" Romano pushed.
Marco sighed. "Romano, let me be. I have important things to do. Don't start your romantic talk again."
Zara's POV
"Mari, please check who's at the door," I called.
"On it, Zara. And don't boss me around," she grumbled.
I heard her open the door.
"Who are you?" she asked sharply.
One of the men replied, "Sorry, ma'am, but this delivery isn't for you."
"Zara! Come here! I think this is for you!"
"Hold on, I'm coming."
When I reached the door, I froze.
"Wow… this is so beautiful. Who sent this?"
The men in black suits refused to answer.
"Please sign here," one of them said. "It's important."
I signed the paper. "Done. Thank you for the flowers… and the chocolates."
They nodded and left.
Mari groaned loudly. "Zara, you just collected a gift from an unknown person!"
"Come on, Mari, it's just flowers and sweet hot chocolate. You know I can't resist that."
She rolled her eyes and walked past me, annoyed.
"Mari, do you want some?" I teased.
Later that evening…
"Good evening, sir," I greeted my boss, praying he wouldn't punish me for missing work last night.
"What happened, Zara?" he asked.
"I got into some trouble yesterday… so I had to go home."
"Okay," he said simply, then walked away.
I let out a sigh of relief.
I began setting up the tables for the big game coming at 12 a.m. My boss had warned me:
This game would be dangerous.
If I heard gunshots, I should run.
One by one, dangerous men entered the casino. I greeted them politely.
Then I saw him.
Marco.
The most dangerous man of them all.