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I watched in awe as Marco’s entire demeanor shifted. The air around him crackled with barely contained
violence, but something else lurked beneath – a darkness he seemed to be fighting to control.
His eyes met mine for a split second. In that moment, I understood why he’d always held back, why he pretended to be less than he was. This power, this rage it threatened to consume him completely.
Marco strode toward me, his movements fluid despite his injuries. The men blocking his path scrambled away
without him saying a word.
“Don’t move!” Vincent’s voice cracked as he pointed his gun at Marco’s head. “I’ll shoot!”
Marco didn’t even glance his way. He reached for my chains, his hands surprisingly gentle as they touched my wrists. The metal snapped like paper between his fingers.
“Are you hurt?” he asked softly, his thumb brushing over the marks the chains had left.
I shook my head, unable to find my voice.
“I said don’t fucking move!” Vincent’s hand shook as he cocked the gun.
“You should have killed me when you had the chance.” Marco’s voice carried that same deadly calm. “Now it’s
too late.”
“What are you?” Alexander whispered, pressing himself further against the wall.
Marco helped me to my feet, positioning himself between me and the others. “Someone who’s tired of pretending to be less than I am.”
8:54 AM
Quito The Con
“You’re a monster,” Shanya breathed.
“No.” I found my voice at last. “He’s the man who’s been protecting all of us, even when we didn’t know we
needed it.”
Marco’s hand found mine, squeezing gently. In that touch, I felt his struggle – the battle between the darkness within him and his desire to remain human. For me. For us
Vincent’s finger tightened on the trigger. “Last chance, Vercetti. Step away from her.”
Marco’s laugh echoed through the warehouse, sending chills down my spine. “You really thought you had me, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?” Antonio’s face drained of color.
All of you
“Your little plan.” Marco’s grip on my hand remained steady. “Bringing Vincent here to take me out. All
guard.”
working together, thinking you’d finally caught the mighty Lin
“How did you-” Shanya started.
“Know?” Marco’s voice dripped with cold amusement “I’ve known for weeks. The secret meetings, the whispered conversations, the carefully orchestrated ‘coincidences‘ that led us here. I walked right into your trap because I wanted to ”
Alexander stepped forward, his usual confidence cracking. “That’s impossible.”
to Vincent’s men?
“Is it? Tell me, Alexander – who do you think leaked the information about Isabella’s location to Who made sure you all thought you had the upper hand?”
I glanced at Marco, pieces clicking into place. The way he’d appeared just in time, how he seemed prepared for everything.
“You see,” Marco continued, “I needed all of you in one place. The traitors, the plotters, the ones who’ve been trying to tear apart what I’ve built. And now here you are – exactly where I want you.”
The warehouse doors burst open. Armed men flooded in, their weapons trained on Antonio, Shanya, Alexander, and Vincent. I recognized them as Marco’s most trusted soldiers.
“You used us,” Antonio spat.
“The same way you tried to use me.” Marco’s voice hardened. “The difference is, I succeeded.”
Vincent’s gun hand trembled. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” Marco tilted his head. “Why don’t you pull that trigger and find out?”
The warehouse fell silent, tension crackling through the air like electricity. I watched as the realization dawned on their faces – they hadn’t trapped Marco at all. He’d trapped them.
I watched the standoff, my heart pounding against my ribs. Marco’s presence beside me radiated a calm confidence that seemed to fill the entire warehouse.
“You know what’s funny?” I found myself speaking, drawing everyone’s attention. “All this time, I thought I was
the or
one who needed saving. But Marco never saw me that way.
Vincent’s gun wavered between Marco and me. “Shut up.”
“He saw my strength when I couldn’t see it myself.” I squeezed Marco’s hand. “He didn’t try to control me like
Alexander, or use me like the rest of you.”
“Isabella, you don’t understand what he is,” Alexander cut in, desperation lacing his voice.
“I understand perfectly.” My voice grew stronger. “He’s the man who let me make my own choices, even when
it meant watching me make mistakes. The man who showed me that being part of this world doesn’t mean losing
yourself to it”
Marco’s thumb brushed across my knuckles, a gentle gesture that contrasted sharply with the deadly tension in
yourself to it”
Marco’s thumb brushed across my knuckles, a gentle gesture that contrasted sharply with the deadly tension in his shoulders
“How touching.” Shanya sneered, but I caught the fear flickering in her eyes. “The beast and the beauty.”
“You’re one to talk about beasts,” I shot back. “How many families have you destroyed with your games? How many lives have you ruined just to climb higher?”
Antonio stepped forward, but Marco’s men immediately trained their weapons on him. He froze mid–step.
“The difference between Marco and all of you,” I continued, “is that he never pretended to be something he wasn’t. You all wear your expensive suits and play at being civilized, but underneath? You’re exactly what your accuse him of being ”
“Enough talk,” Vincent snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger.
Marco’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Last chance, Vincent. Put the gun down and maybe you’ll
walk out of here.”
