"You can't just decide that." "I can," he said quietly. "And I just did." He moved around the counter, picked up her coat from the hook and held it out. "Put it on."
"Marco." "Sweetheart," he interrupted, his voice low but firm. "I'm not asking." The word sweetheart hit her like a current. She stared at him, breathing fast.
"Why are you doing this?" "Because you don't understand what kind of men you're dealing with." Bennett isn't going to stop. His pride's hurt. He'll send people again.
And next time I might not get here in time. Lisa's throat tightened. "And you will?" Just show up again like some some He stepped closer. "Like some what?"
Her voice broke. "Like some hero who thinks I'm worth saving." For a long moment, neither of them moved. Rain pattered against the window. The neon light flickered, painting his face in red and shadow.
Marco finally spoke. "You are worth saving." She didn't know what to do with that. Nobody had ever said those words to her before. He handed her coat back, softer this time.
"Get your things. I'll take you somewhere safe." Lisa hesitated, searching his face for a trace of cruelty or manipulation. Something to make it easier to refuse him. But all she saw was calm certainty.
Outside, a black SUV idled by the curb. Luca waited at the wheel, cigarette glowing in the dark. Lisa sighed, grabbed her purse, and followed Marco out into the rain. The ride was silent. Streetlights passed like ghosts through the tinted windows.
Marco sat beside her, his jacket still damp. His profile sharp under the dim glow of the dashboard. Lisa wanted to ask where they were going, but the weight of his presence kept her quiet. Finally, she whispered, ""Do you do this often?"" He turned his head. ""Do what?"" ""Rescue waitresses who make the wrong people angry?"" A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ""No, you're the first."" Her heart stumbled at the way he said it, not joking, not teasing, just honest. She looked away, hands twisting in her lap. ""You scare me a little."" ""Good."" He said softly, "Fear keeps people alive."
Then, gentler, ""But you don't have to be afraid of me."" The SUV slowed as they entered a private underground garage beneath a tall building downtown. Concrete walls, security cameras, polished cars lined in silence. Luca parked and got out. Marco opened Lisa's door himself. "Where are we?" she asked.
"My place." ""I can't stay here."" He interrupted with that same steady tone. ""You can, and you will. Just for tonight."" He guided her to a private elevator that opened directly into a penthouse. Glass walls overlooking the city, sleek furniture, quiet music coming from hidden speakers. Lisa stepped inside, stunned. It didn't smell like money.
It smelled like order. Marco turned on a soft lamp near the couch. "You'll stay in the guest room. Luca will bring you clothes in the morning. If you need anything, use that phone on the table.
It connects only to me." Lisa turned to him. ""Why are you doing this?"" He met her gaze without hesitation. ""Because I saw a woman get spit on for doing her job, and it reminded me of everything I hate about this city."" She swallowed. ""That's not a reason to—" ""It is for me."" He stepped closer, stopping just short of touching her. His voice dropped to a whisper. "From now on, you don't walk home alone. You don't answer strange numbers.
You don't open locked doors after hours. You let me handle it." Lisa's breath trembled. ""You talk like you own me."" His expression didn't change. ""Maybe I just don't like sharing what I protect."" Their eyes met. Her heartbeat loud in her ears, his gaze steady and unblinking. For a long second, she thought he might touch her again.