Chapter 14 - Silent Allies
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Marin felt her heart pounding against her ribs. The intensity in Elias’s voice was intoxicating—a temptation she had spent years running from.
"Elias..." she whispered.
"I’ve spent eleven years managing men who would stab me in the back for a percentage point," Elias said softly, his thumbs brushing across her lips. "I’ve had bodyguards, capos, and politicians bow to me. But none of them stood in front of three armed men for a bedridden old woman they barely knew."
"She was my patient," Marin repeated weakly.
"She was my mother," Elias corrected. "And you became my home in fifty-one minutes."
Before she could process his words, Marco entered the room, looking grave.
"Boss, the council members have arrived at the Downtown Tower," Marco reported. "Old man Moretti showed up himself with six bodyguards. He’s claiming Valenti was kidnapped by us."
Elias didn't break eye contact with Marin for three seconds. Then he slowly released her face, stepping back.
"Keep her safe until I return," Elias ordered Marco.
"Wait," Marin said, holding up her hand.
Elias stopped at the door, looking back over his shoulder.
Marin dropped her duffel bag onto the floor. She reached into her waist pocket, pulling out her suppressed pistol, checking the magazine with a sharp, mechanical click.
"Moretti brought six bodyguards?" Marin asked flatly.
May you like
Elias smiled—a slow, lethal, breathtaking smile. "Yes."
"Then you're going to need someone to keep an eye on the door," Marin said, slipping the weapon back into her holster.
