Kill.

My mind begins to swim and suddenly, I can’t feel my legs. I collapse, and Marcus’ arm tightens around me just before I pass out completely.

~*~*~*~

MARCUS

Katia goes limp in my arms. Fuck me. I slowly lower her to the ground, and she goes without even a flinch. I look up at her father, fuck, her father, and glare. “Why the fuck are you comin’ into my home, pissin’ my wife off, and demanding shit that you don’t have a right to demand?”

He’s staring at Katia. His face is blank, but there’s emotion in his eyes. Deep emotion. He didn’t fuckin’ know about her—fuck. Slowly he lifts his eyes to me. “You fucked with my business, my men and my trade, Tandem. I don’t play fuckin’ nice with bastards who mess with my shit.”

“And what I don’t play fuckin’ nice with, is men like you,” I snarl, stepping over Katia and charging towards him.

In a split second, he lifts a gun and points it at me. Motherfucker.

“Is that my fuckin’ daughter?” he barks.

“How the fuck am I supposed to know?”

“What’s her mother’s name?”

“Sandra Bennett.”

His face flashes. “Fuck. Fuck.”

“Put your fuckin’ gun down, or so help me—”

“Why are you married to my daughter?”

I snort. “With all due respect, Pierre, you didn’t know she was your daughter until five minutes ago. You don’t get to know shit.”

His eyes flick to her, then to me. “I’m not going to kill you here, because I want to know her.” He waves his gun at Katia. “But let me warn you, Marcus. Your boys don’t get out of my business, I’ll bring you down, married to my daughter or not.”

“Is that a threat?” I hiss.

He tucks his gun in his pants, looks at Katia once more and growls, “It’s a promise.”

Then he turns and leaves.

I spin to Katia, lean down and lift her over my shoulder before charging into the offices. Candy, her noisy, babble-mouthed friend sees her thrown over my shoulder and starts chasing me, crying out and talking fucking shit. I spin to her with a glare. “Candice,” I spit. “She just had her father come to the door. Shit is bad. I got a call to make. Stay the fuck outta my way.”

Then I step into my office, throw Katia onto the couch and lift my phone. I dial.

“Boss?”

“Ulio, I just had Pierre at my fuckin’ door.”

“What?” he snarls. “Why the fuck did that fucker come to your house?”

“He wants me out of the picture, and he’s a big player in that picture. He’s got the resources to be a threat.”

“Then we fuckin’ eliminate him.”

I exhale loudly. “Except he’s my wife’s father.”

Silence.

“What did you fuckin’ say?”

“You heard me.”

“Is she in on this?”

I glance at Katia. “Considerin’ she’s passed out on my couch from shock at seeing him for the first time, I’m gonna go with no.”

“Where does that leave us?”

“In a world of shit.”

“Fuck,” he mutters.

“Give me time to process this shit, and then I’ll get back to you.”

“No problems, boss.”

I hang up the phone just as Katia stirs. Her eyes flicker open and point directly towards me and I can see her hurt.

Shit.

CHAPTER 18

THEN

Marcus

“Close your eyes, Katia.”

Beautiful eyes flutter closed and I spin her towards the car.

“Don’t open them until I say.”

“Where are you taking me?” she asks.

I scoff. “Katia, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you that.”

A soft giggle escapes her lips. Fuckin’ sweet lips. “No, you’re right.”

“Just do as you’re told,” I tell her in a firm voice.

She nods and I open her door, sliding her inside. She puts her seatbelt on and I walk around to the driver’s side. I start the car and head towards our destination. Katia and I have been seeing each other for six months now, and it’s time. I know she’s fallen for me and I can’t hold off any longer. I need her to accept my proposal before Walter moves in.

I take us to a secluded beach, where I paid good money to have a table set up. A man holding a bottle of wine is standing by the table lit with candles, and I nod at him as I get out of the car. I move around to Katia’s side, opening the door. I stare down at her, and I wish my heart felt some sort of remorse. But there’s none. I’m doing what I have to do, and she’s only benefiting from it.

“Time to get out,” I say to her, running my finger down her cheek. It’s a shame; she really is such a beautiful girl. Inside and out.

“Where are we?” she asks. “Is that the sound of waves?”

“It is. Come.”

I take her hand and lead her to the table. When her feet hit the sand, she moans and stops to wiggle her toes, which are painted with bright pink polish. “I love the sand.” She sighs. Her blond hair whips around her face as I near the table. Stopping, I lean down and murmur into her ear, “Surprise.”

Then she opens her eyes.

And when she gasps?

I know I’ve won.

~*~*~*~

KATIA