Page 53 of Crowned In Blood
He squeezed my waist, then walked off to grab our drinks.
Simon entered, laughing with one of the attendees.
Finally.
I approached him, slipping into my old role with ease. The smile on my face was warm, welcoming, and entirely fake.
We exchanged kisses on our cheeks, then he held my hands. "I was just telling these gentlemen how proud I am of you."
Bullshitting as usual, I see.
"Thank you, Father."
He waved to a man beside him. "This is?—"
"My apologies.” I bowed my head. “I'm being called over there, but we'll catch up later."
"Of course we will," he said, his smile never reaching his eyes.
I returned to where Marco had left me, only to find him speaking to two women. His back was to me, but I could see the women's faces. They were interested in him, and it bothered me far more than I could have ever expected.
Marco was an attractive, charming man. He was funny, intelligent, and he carried a type of charisma that oozed confidence. He could have anyone he wanted. And for the first time, I realized that while he'd been showering me with attention, he could turn it to someone else at the drop of a dime.
I didn't like that thought atall.
Shooting her wouldn't be enough. I wanted to gouge her eyes out with the knife attached to my thigh.
It wouldn't take long.I'd be on her in five seconds. and it wasn't the first time I'd removed an eye from its socket.
It left a bloody mess, but it would be so satisfying. Just karma for her coveting something that belonged tome.
But he wasn't mine. He wasn't my anything. What even were we? Allies? Friends? Confidants? Co-workers? Every word disgusted me, because it wasn't what I wanted. None of them were enough.
What I wanted was him, deeply, completely, in a way where he could never be removed from me. I wanted him injected into my veins, into my soul. I wanted his infuriating smiles, flirtation, voice,touchto only be forme.
Freedom used to be my only dream. It was the goal I fought for, the reason I'd powered through and survived. Then, it became my familia, their protection and my duty to them. But somewhere, hidden in the darkest part of my heart, where my deepest fantasy and truest desires laid, was Marco. He'd infiltrated that space, and I couldn't get him out if I tried.
One of the women laughed a little too loudly, trying to put her hand on Marco's arm, but he turned, dismissing her attempt entirely.
I couldn't have that happen.
Another woman couldnottouch him,ever.
I walked up to him, and his eyes softened when he saw me. His lips, which were in a frown before, slowly curved into a blinding smile forme.
He completely left the woman there, her mouth open at how quickly he'd forgotten her. Then he handed me my flute of champagne and wrapped his arm around my waist, settling his hand on my hip. Only then did he seem to relax, and I couldn't help but grin behind the glass.
When the women left, he sighed. "You came at the perfect time. That woman was persistent, and I was only putting up with her so she wouldn't cause a scene."
"Are you sure you weren't just desperate for attention?" I meant to say it in a joking manner, but it came out hard and cold.
He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "The only woman I want paying me any attention or by my side isyou."
Goosebumps danced along my skin and I cleared my throat. "We'll be meeting Simon later."
"Good," he said, rubbing my waist.
"You can remove your hand now, you know."
