“It was just a coincidence, Ciara. I assure you. Come with me.”
“No.”
“That wasn’t a suggestion.” He nods for me to follow him and with a sigh, I do. Something tells me he won’t leave me alone otherwise.
Marco leads me to a private booth near the back of the club. The music is muffled back here, making the rest of the club seem so far away. “I didn’t know you liked to party.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me seeing as we’re strangers.”
He sits down and nods at the spot next to him. I’m not sure what compels me to sit but I do. “So, let’s talk. Get to know one another.”
“You almost died.”
“Somebody poisoned me. I’m just trying to figure out who. It wasn’t your father. He wants to work with me too much.” He tilts his head to the side. “Was it you?”
I can’t help the blush on my face but it’s dark in here, so hopefully Marco can’t see. “No.” Not technically a lie.
“Do you have murder in your heart, Ciara?”
“Do you?”
“Yes,” he answers point blank, taking me aback.
“Would you kill me if we were married?”
He frowns. “Why would I do that? I want this deal with your father. Killing you would ruin that.”
My body relaxes slightly. Marco makes a good point. “I don’t normally party,” I admit. “I’m always followed around by a guard.”
He makes a show of looking around. “I don’t see a guard with you right now.”
“That’s because I snuck away from him.”
“So you’re here by yourself? You could have been hurt.” The sudden passion in his voice startles me.
“Why would you care if I’m hurt or not?”
“Because you will be mine, Ciara. I don’t want my wife getting hurt. I won’t lose you.”
A shiver runs down my body but I’m not sure it’s out of fear. I’m not sure of anything really. Marco is not what I had been expecting. “I just needed a night to dance. After everything. I’m allowed that.”
“Not if it leads to you getting hurt.”
“I wasn’t hurt, was I? I’m not bleeding.” I show him my arms and his gaze lingers on them. “I’m ok.”
“We live in a dark world. You know that. Somebody just tried to poison me yesterday.”
“Whoever it was didn’t succeed.”
His smile is dangerous. “Clearly. Was it your brother?”
I force myself to keep my eyes on his. “No,” I lie.
“You’re sure? He didn’t seem happy knowing we’re to be married.”
“My brother wouldn’t go against our father’s wishes. I promise you.”
He leans in close to me, making me gasp. His lips are so close to mine. If he just leaned down… “How can I trust your word? You just told me you snuck past your bodyguard which tells me there’s a rebelliousness to you. That can’t be trusted.”
