Not fast, not rough, just certain. His hand braced the wall beside her head, the other catching her wrist gently. The same one Derek had grabbed the night of the diner incident. His voice came low, controlled. You think I did this to scare people?
I don't know what you're doing, she snapped, tears threatening again. You act like you own me, but you don't even know me. I know you work double shifts until your hands shake, he said, his tone rising for the first time. I know you give half your tips to your sister so she can pay rent. I know you skip dinner to make sure there's milk in her fridge.
I know you're too proud to ask anyone for help. And I know you went home crying that night, not because of what that girl did, but because you were used to nobody caring. Her throat closed. He leaned closer, voice rough now. So don't tell me I don't know you.
Lisa's back hit the wall. Her heart pounded so loud she could barely hear herself breathe. You think I'm helping you because I feel sorry for you? He continued. I'm helping you because you walked into that diner months ago with bruises on your wrist and didn't tell anyone who gave them to you.
Because when people like Bennett laugh at you, you stand there and still tell them, have a nice day. Because you don't see what I see. She swallowed hard. "What do you see?" His jaw clenched.
"A woman who doesn't know her own worth." And I'm done watching her pretend she's nothing. Tears finally broke free. "You can't... you can't just fix me." "I'm not trying to fix you, he said softer now.
I'm trying to claim what I already decided was mine. She shook her head. You can't just claim people. He exhaled slowly. "Watch me."
He stepped closer, just enough for his breath to touch her cheek, for his presence to drown out every thought she had left. Her pulse stuttered. Her hands went up to his chest, meaning to push him away. Instead, her fingers curled into his shirt. "Marco."
He didn't kiss her. "Not yet." He waited, eyes on hers, breathing controlled, giving her space to say no. She didn't. She rose on her toes and their mouths met halfway.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't careful. It was years of silence and anger and loneliness colliding all at once. His hand slid up to her neck, not choking, just anchoring her, keeping her from slipping away again. When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, she whispered, You don't even like people.
His thumb brushed her jaw. You're not people. A laugh escaped her throat, shaky and real. That's not a compliment. It is from me.
She looked up at him, dangerous, unshakable, impossible. And for the first time, she didn't see a man she should fear. She saw a man who'd already chosen her, long before she realized she'd chosen him back. Hours later, Lisa sat on the edge of his bed, wearing his shirt again, watching him by the window. He hadn't moved for a while, phone in hand, tie undone, expression unreadable.
You're thinking, she said quietly. He glanced over his shoulder. I'm always thinking. What about? Bennett, he said simply.
And you. Her heart skipped. Both in the same sentence? He turned toward her, lips curling faintly. They're connected now.
She looked down at her hands. That's not fair to you. He walked to her slowly, the city's light tracing his silhouette. Fair stopped mattering the second he put your name in his mouth. He crouched in front of her, resting his hands on her knees.
Tomorrow it's over. His people will fold, the story dies, and you He paused, searching her face. You start over. New name if you want it. New job.
Whatever you need. Her eyes filled again. Why are you doing this for me? He smiled slightly. Because you'd never do it for yourself.
"Marco." He stood, reaching for her hand, pulling her gently to her feet. You don't owe me anything, Lisa. But you do owe yourself peace. So when this ends, you go find it.
Understand? She frowned. What about you? He brushed his thumb along her cheek. I don't get peace.
Her voice trembled. Then take mine. He froze, actually froze, as if she'd just handed him something sacred. Then he did what he hadn't allowed himself to before. He kissed her again, slow this time, almost reverent.
When he pulled back, he whispered against her lips. You should sleep. I can't. He smiled softly. Then don't.
They stood there, foreheads pressed together, breathing in sync, the city lights flickering around them like stars too close to touch. For the first time in years, Lisa didn't feel small. She felt seen. She felt chosen. And somewhere deep down, she knew this was the point of no return.
Because when a man like Marco Conti decides to love you, the whole world bends to make room for it. But even peace doesn't last long in his world. At sunrise, Luca stormed into the room out of breath. "Boss," he said, "we've got a problem." Marco didn't even look up.
"Say it." Luca hesitated, then handed him a phone. "Bennett's not done. He's pressing charges. Not against you, against her.
Claims she blackmailed his daughter with footage." Lisa's blood turned to ice. ""What?"" Marco's jaw tightened. "Get the car." "Where are we going?" she asked, fear creeping back in. He looked at her, eyes blazing.
"To end this, once and for all." He took her hand, firm and protective. And as they walked out the door together, Lisa realized she wasn't just part of Marco Conti's world anymore. She was the reason it was about to burn. By the time the sun rose over the city, Lisa's world was spinning again.
The television blared headlines she didn't want to hear, but couldn't turn away from. Breaking news, Senator Bennett files charges against waitress in viral video. Claims of blackmail and collusion with alleged mob figure Marco Conti. Lisa sat frozen on the couch in Marco's penthouse, the phone trembling in her hand. "He's really doing it." she whispered.
"He's dragging me down with him." Marco stood by the window, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense. He had that stillness again, the kind that came before something dangerous. "He's cornered." Marco said quietly.
"And cornered men make stupid choices." Lisa looked up at him, tears threatening again. "They're calling me a criminal, "Marco." They're saying I'm part of you." He turned, eyes meeting hers.
"You are part of me. Her breath caught. That's not what I meant. It's what I meant. He pulled out his phone, dialed without looking, voice steady as ever.
Luca, line it up. We go live in 1 hour. Lisa's head jerked up. Go live? What are you talking about?
He finally looked at her, the way he did when he'd already made up his mind. If Bennett wants the world to see you as the villain, then the world is going to see the truth instead. Every clip, every message, every file his daughter deleted. We're not hiding anymore. Lisa shook her head.
You can't just leak more things. They'll come for you. He stepped forward, voice low. They've been coming for me my whole life. But this time, sweetheart, I get to choose the battlefield.