Zara's Pov
"What is he doing here?" I whispered under my breath. My heart was beating so fast it almost hurt. I stood up and forced myself to open the door, but the moment he appeared in front of me, I kept my eyes down. I couldn't look at him… not with everything I was feeling.
"Zara," Marco called softly, taking both of my hands into his. His touch was warm and careful, almost too gentle for a man like him. Something shifted inside me—something I hadn't felt in a long, long time. I swallowed hard, then finally lifted my head to meet his pretty blue eyes. For the first time, I didn't look away.
And before I could think twice…
I kissed him.
I shocked myself. I shocked him. But I didn't care anymore. Marco didn't even hesitate—he pulled me into his arms, one hand tight around my waist, the other on my back, kissing me as if he'd been waiting forever.
"Marco…" I breathed, pulling back a little when we reached my bed. We both sat down, our faces close, breaths mixing, my heart trying to escape my chest.
"Zara, please let me love you," he whispered. "I promise to protect you from all of them—your ex best friend, the people after you… everyone."
He cupped my cheeks gently, lifting my chin. His thumbs brushed my skin as if I was something fragile.
"Baby… I've never felt this way for anyone in my entire life," he said, voice shaking slightly. "I know I might sound crazy, but Zara… I, Marco, am in love with you. Please try me. Let me be the reason you smile. The reason you're happy. Please, sweetheart."
My breath caught. A mafia king… saying this? Was he trying to fool me? How could the same man who killed without thinking speak to me like this? I was lost in my thoughts when I suddenly felt his lips on mine again, softer this time… pleading.
"Marco… what are you doing to me?" I murmured against his mouth.
He was about to answer when a massive explosion shook the mansion.
"Fuck," he whispered darkly. "He's here."
"Mar—Marco who?! Who is here?!" I asked, terrified.
He stood up immediately. "Baby, stay in my room with Elena. Don't go out."
"Elena?" I froze. "Marco… who is Elena?!"
"Zara, I don't have time to explain. Go get my little princess. Stay in my room and don't open the door for anyone." He kissed me quickly and deeply—too fast for me to react—then we both rushed to get the sleeping baby.
We ran to his bedroom. I sat on the bed while he gently placed the little girl beside me. Then he walked to a wall, pressed a hidden button, and the entire side of the wall slid open.
My mouth dropped open.
Guns. Knives. Weapons of every kind. Enough to start a war.
I just stared as he changed into dark tactical gear. He looked… dangerous. Deadly. Too powerful. But somehow… even more attractive.
"Hey, baby," he said suddenly.
"Umm… sweetie?" I answered without thinking. The word slipped out of my mouth on its own.
He smiled like I had just given him the world.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "I'm doing this to protect you and that little cutie over there."
He didn't even flinch at the gunshots echoing outside. He acted like this was normal—like death didn't scare him at all. What kind of man was he?
"Just give me 26 minutes," he said calmly. "I'll handle whatever's going on out there. And Zara… no matter what you hear, don't come close to the window. You won't like what you see."
He was about to leave when I called softly, "Marco…"
He turned instantly. "Yes, my heart?" he said, walking toward me.
I bit my lip, shaking a little. "I know we haven't spent enough time together… knowing each other… knowing if this feeling is real or not. And I know it looks like I've been avoiding you. But please, Marco… come back safe to me. Please. You're the only person I trust a—and—"
He didn't let me finish.
He kissed me hard, slow, deep… the kind of kiss that stole my breath and my soul at once. I couldn't say another word.
"Shhhh," he whispered against my lips. "You don't have to worry about me, Zara. I'm coming back to this room unharmed. And when I return… trust me… I won't let you out of my bed."
He smirked, kissed me again, and left, closing the door behind him.
I sat there frozen, my heart shaking.
Why do I feel this way for a man like him?
His touch…
His kisses…
His smile…
His stupid jokes…
They were doing something to me. Something I didn't understand. Something dangerous.
And why… why did he call this baby…
"Elena?"