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I smirk at the man and assure him, “I know people far more powerful than Lang. I’ll keep her safe and treat her like a princess.”
Marigold’s voice is full of sass, “Don’t I get a say in this?”
“No,” I tell her simply and grin down at my woman, loving that fire has replaced the fear in her eyes. She should know that I’m always up for a challenge. And I’ll always win.
CHAPTER 5
MARIGOLD
I feel like the last hour of my life has been a rollercoaster I had no choice but to ride. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have gotten on in the first place. I’m not really a thrill ride kind of person. The Ferris Wheel? Sure. That doesn’t go too fast. Anything that makes you scream? Not so much.
I was more afraid than I have ever been in my life when those men caught me in the back alley. I kept hoping someone would come and rescue me while I was cursing myself for being stupid and taking the trash out. I kept remembering Sergio showing up and the way he looked at me with warning in his eyes. He wasn’t happy about me being out there by myself.
I should have taken his warning to heart when we met, but I didn’t and found myself facing off two men holding themselves like a threat and saying things I didn’t understand.
Then Sergio showed up, as if he was plucked out of my deepest hope. His face was fierce with a deadly air wrapped around him like the wings of an avenging angel. If I wasn’t sure that Sergio would never hurt me, I might have been afraid.
But I knew.
I saw it in the way his eyes flared when he looked at me. Heonly wanted to protect me. I swear I saw something more there, even deeper than want or adoration. It wasn’t the time or the place for such thoughts and now isn’t the time either. Which is why I’ve pushed away how the man makes my own heart flutter.
In the darkest parts of the night, I can admit I’ve fallen in love with him. I’m aware it doesn’t make sense and is way too fast, but I can’t deny the truth of my feelings.
Right now, it’s far too bright to bring out those feelings and examine them, especially considering the threats of those men are still clinging to me. What I wouldn’t do for a shower.
I’m not even entirely sure how I’m in his car right now. He might have saved me, but he did far more than that. He swept in and took over. He promised my grandfather he’d take care of me and keep me safe.
What the fuck does that even mean? I’ve been the only one to take care of me for so long, even though I’ve had my grandfather in my life. I think I’ve done a fairly good job of things. Sure, I might get lost in a fantasy world to help me along, but I’m not alone in coping with books. I know how to take care of myself.
The more I think about the way Sergio took over and then telling me no when I asked if I had a choice in the matter, the angrier I get. Fuck. I’m still grateful he saved me.
I’m not used to having so many mixed emotions rioting inside of me. It feels like I can barely breathe and with every exhale the air around us gets thicker and I’m more trapped than I was a second ago.
“Where are we going?” Even though I mean for it to come out strong, my words are barely even a whisper.
“I’m taking you to my boss,” Sergio’s voice is a mixture of demand and pride, as if he expects me to fight against his edict.
He would be right.
“Your boss? Who is your boss? Why would he help me?” I turn my head to take in the man who has stolen my heart without even trying. His eyes are fixed on the road and an intensity is rolling off him that makes me wet. And makes it difficult to maintain my anger. “Why are you doing this?”
Sergio’s eyes cut to me for a second and what I see there has my heart stuttering in my chest. How can one look hold so much possession?
“I’m doing this because you’re mine, Marigold.” His voice holds no room for the argument I’m trying to form, “I knew it the moment I saw you and to find you today with those two assholes threatening you and touching you only made it more real. I won’t tolerate anyone touching you. I won’t tolerate any man thinking they can threaten you. I sure as fuck won’t be allowing another man to ask you out either.”
I want to shrink down into the seat, but I force myself to sit up a little straighter. “I didn’t accept the invitation.” I shiver a little at the memory of Mr. Lang in the bookstore. “Mr. Lang gave me the creeps.”
Sergio’s lip twitches as if he finds my words amusing, but they aren’t meant to be. I mean it to the deepest parts of me. He gave off vibes that I never want to encounter again in person. To find out he had approached my grandfather about selling Turning Pages only makes me hate the man more and for an entirely different reason.
I know my grandfather would never sell the store. He wants to hand it down to me. He wants it to continue to be a fixture in the neighborhood.
Who the hell knows what Lucius Lang wants to do with it. I can’t imagine he would want the business to continue on.
I’ve seen it happen all over the neighborhood. Some call it gentrification. I call it destruction.
Before I know it, we’re pulling up to a house which oozes money, and my mouth falls open. It’s a gorgeous home, but it has way too much flash for me. When Sergio comes around to lead me inside, I let him because I’m seriously at a loss. Who the fuck is his boss? How does he have this much money?
As we head inside and through the house, I barely look around. Honestly, I’m a little afraid to look at anything the wrong way. What if something breaks? Would I have to pay for it? I don’t feel like selling my soul to the devil tonight.
