"No! No, nothing. He just protected me and I'm grateful he was there." But I can't help the smile on my face, thinking back to us having sex, the day we spent together, the tender moments last night.
Gianna sighs and runs a hand through her hair. Clear frustration on her face. "You can't get involved with him, Elena. Don't you know what he does? He kills people. He's ruthless and cold and will stop anyone who gets in his way of protecting this family."
"Of course I know all of that. But that's not the only Marco that I see. I see the one who wipes the tear from my cheek, and holds my hand when I'm scared, and steps in front of bullets to protect me. That's what he did last night. He kept me out of harm's way and got me away from the threat." Raw emotion fills my voice.
"You're just a job to him, Elena. I've heard the way Vito talks about your situation. You. Are. Just. A. Job." She punctuates each word. "That's all you'll ever be."
"That's not fair, G," Rina interjects softly. "You don't know what's between them."
"I've lived in this house. I've heard more than I probably should. I've heard every time one of their men died. I've heard when warehouses were attacked. I've heard the rage when one of the family was threatened." Gianna's voice breaks. "You don't want that life, and neither do I. I want to graduate and move somewhere secluded where I can teach kids and live a quiet life. I don't belong here."
She's sniffling now. Crying. "You're my friend and my family, and I only want what's best for you. You're playing with fire, and you're going to get burned."
The words sting because part of me knows she might be right.
"But maybe it's worth it," Rina says quietly. We both turn to look at her. "This life—it's dangerous. It's violent. It's not what either of you chose." She takes my hand. "But loving someone in this life? That's what makes it bearable. That's what makes the danger worth facing."
"Rina—" Gianna starts.
"I'm not saying you should stay if you don't want to, G. You deserve to live whatever life makes you happy." Rina squeezes my hand. "But Elena isn't you. And Marco isn't just some soldier following orders. I've seen the way he looks at her. That's not how you look at a job."
"But what if she gets hurt?" Gianna's voice is small. Scared.
"Then she gets hurt. That's the risk of loving anyone." Rina looks at me. "But hiding from it doesn't keep you safe. It just keeps you alone."
The three of us sit in silence for a moment. Then Gianna wipes her eyes and hugs me. "I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," I promise, even though I'm not sure I can keep it.
After they leave, I shower and get dressed. Someone brought me clothes—there's a pile on the bench at the end of the bed.
Walking to the kitchen, I notice it's eerily quiet. Normally I hear the girls chatting or Dante's booming voice, but today it's silent. Unnerving.
Entering the kitchen, I see one of Marco's men sitting at the island. The same one who picked us up last night.
"Good morning," I say. He looks up from his phone and nods.
I make myself a coffee. Raise a mug in his direction. "Want a cup?" He shakes his head.
Okay, not a talker.
I sit near him. "Where's Marco?" I ask hesitantly.
"On assignment with Don Vito."
"What assignment?"
"Meeting with your father."
I blink, thinking I must have misheard. "What? When?"
"This morning. You're to stay here under guard detail."
"They went to meet my father without me?" My voice rises. "I'm the one who knows how to contact him. I'm the one who?—"
"Those were Don Vito's orders."
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping loudly. "This is bullshit. They can't just?—"
