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“What happened?”
“My father. He sent two of my brothers to show me his displeasure that his plans had been ruined. Oh, and to also tell me that I have until the end of the week to recover my sister and fix this.”
I can't help the smirk that tugs at my lips. "What happens when Friday rolls around, and Kelly’s delivered back to his family in pieces, while your sister has the last name DeLuca?”
“If I recall correctly, rivers of blood and a very slow, painful death were mentioned,” Marco replies dryly.
“That's something I'm looking forward to.” I smirk as his forehead creases and his annoyance with me leaks out.
“Your father's blood being spilled,” I qualify. “Does this mean none of your brothers have your back?”
Marco shrugs, trying and failing to hide a wince. He takes a second to catch his breath. “It’s not as if we’re a close family. We've been trained to follow his orders. That's just what we do.”
“Is that why all of you turned your backs on my woman?” I ask, not even trying to hide my contempt for how she was treated.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he growls, showing that he does indeed have a spine. The debate is still out on if I need to sever it, however. “I have never turned my back on my sister. I did what I could when I could. If I did too much, the bastard would do worse to her—just to prove a point. The truth is, she's the only reason I’m still working under the old man. If I hadn't been worried about what would happen to her when I left, I would have left already. I stayed to protect her as much as possible,” Marco defends, his teeth practically grinding with the need to strike out at me.
"You should've killed the bastard.” I stare him down, watching for the slightest sign that he’s playing both sides.
Marco laughs, although it's heavy with bitterness. “Obviously, you haven't been around the old man enough to see how he is. He keeps his bodyguards close at all times. There's a reason you weren't allowed to have weapons in the meeting. No one ever does. Well, except for his bodyguards. Sure, I could have improvised, but if I killed him, two of my brothers would've killed me to get control. Plus, their treatment of Melina would have been worse than my father’s.”
“Only two?” Killian asks, finally speaking. He's been watching our exchange silently, taking it all in.
“Two of my brothers are exactly like my father, and they'd love a shot at taking the reins,” Marco says taking a ragged breath and I imagine his pain level is excruciating. I feel a moment of respect for the man—I just hope it’s not misplaced.
“It’s too bad for you that the Stratakis name will be replaced with DeLuca.”
Marco eyes me for a second before speaking up. “I hate my father’s name. I’m fine with the DeLuca one taking it over, as long as I’m at the helm.”
The man has balls of steel and I find I am liking him more by the minute. “That could be arranged, although you will be monitored heavily,” I admit. “Still, it’s only because my wife will be happier with that arrangement and has confirmed that you have looked out for her. You should know, however, that one slip up, and your position will be ended—permanently.”
“She isn't your wife yet,” Killian points out.
“She will be,” I answer, waving him off. “Speaking of my wife, did you bring her clothes and personal items?” I ask, directing my question to Marco.
Marco shakes his head no, his lips pulling into a deep frown.
“Why not?” I fail to keep the displeasure out of my voice. Melina was looking forward to getting her stuff.
“My father had my brothers destroy all of her stuff.”
“And you let them?”
“I was a little busy being unconscious at the time,” Marco snaps.
I pick up my cell, hitting the speed dial.
"Antonio?" Niko's voice comes through the speaker.
"Niko, I'm hoping you could loan your wife to me,” I tell him, smiling, knowing he will jump to conclusions.
"I thought you gave that shit up after you found Melina," Niko grumbles. "You're not getting anywhere near my wife.”
I bark out a laugh. “I have the only woman I need. The problem is that she’s here without clothes, and all her personal items have been destroyed. I was hoping Emilia might have stuff she can use today and possibly take her shopping.”
“Give me a second to ask her.”
I hear the scratching sounds of him covering the phone as he whispers something.
