You think I don't know what his daughter's been doing? Marco continued. You think I haven't seen the videos? Olivia and her friends record service girls, humiliate them, get them drunk for sport, live stream them crying. Your face isn't the first one they've posted.
It's just the first one anybody cared about because I was standing in the frame. Her stomach twisted. "They've done this before?" "More than once, he said. You weren't their first target.
You were just the first one who had someone to stand up and say, ""No."" She felt sick, angry, hot, humiliated, grateful, all at once. She swallowed. So, that's why Bennett's coming after me. He's not defending his daughter's honor, Marco said. He's covering his campaign.
He slid another page toward her. This one a printout of some political headline with Bennett's face beside words like family values and protecting our girls. Lisa let out a humorless laugh. That's disgusting. That's politics, Marco said.
Disgusting is the brand. She looked up at him, feeling small and furious and strangely steady at the same time. "And what are you?" He held her gaze for a long beat. "Honest," he said.
It wasn't the answer she expected. It was better. She sucked in a slow breath. "And what am I to you?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Something shifted in his eyes. Not softer. Deeper. He stepped closer. Not touching, but so close she felt the warmth of him.
You, he said quietly, "Are something I don't let people ruin." Her heart pounded so hard it almost hurt. Something about the way he said it. Not you're pretty. Not I feel bad for you.
Not I'm a good guy, see. Went under her ribs and stayed there. Lisa swallowed. "Marco." He leaned down just enough that his breath brushed her cheek.
From now on, you sleep where I know you're safe. You eat. You don't lie for anyone. You don't apologize for existing. You let me handle anything that comes through that door.
That's the deal. Her voice broke. "And if I say no?" He didn't smile. He didn't back off.
"Sweetheart," he murmured, "you won't." Her knees felt weak. It should have scared her how much that thrilled her. A sharp knock hit the front door of the penthouse. Marco's eyes flicked toward the hallway.
Instantly, the softness vanished. The air around him hardened. He straightened. "Stay here." He said.
Lisa grabbed his sleeve without thinking. ""Wait."" His gaze dropped to where her fingers curled into his shirt. For a split second, his expression changed. His eyes went darker. His jaw ticked. He took in a slow breath like he was holding something back that wanted out.