Page 101 of Checkmate
“Hello, beautiful,” he said. “You’re single now, huh? Merry fucking Christmas.”
Marcus crossed the room quickly. He pulled her into his arms, his head swooping and capturing her lips in a long, passionate kiss.
That hadn’t been part of the plan.
Catching her off guard, Erica clung to Marcus. Her lips softened against his.
And that’s when everything went to shit.
Chapter 26
Marcus
“Well, that was exciting, wasn’t it?”
They were sitting around the Starling dining table, Marcus in the seat previously taken by Alex. All eyes were on him, waiting for some explanation.
“Okay, I probably shouldn’t have kissed Erica,” he said sheepishly. “I just really wanted to get under his skin.”
“So, what he said about you two shagging?” Josh asked.
“Bullshit,” Marcus confirmed. “Although we’ve spent the past couple of months putting the thought into his head. Sophie’s too.”
“I don’t know. You kiss someone like that. There’s gotta be something going on,” Josh said with a shrug.
“I have to agree,” Debra said, looking between him and Erica, who was silent by his side.
He couldn’t blame her.
Everything happened fast after his lips met hers. In the moment, time slowed until only they existed.
At least until Alex had pulled him from her with a yell.
Twice he tried to throw a punch at Marcus, accusing him of sleeping with Erica.
Twice he missed.
The third time, Erica had stepped in front of Marcus, despite her promise, and Alex’s fist connected with her jaw.
It was then all hell broke loose.
Marcus didn’t need Josh or Bill to restrain Alex, but they were there in an instant as Marcus pinned him to the wall.
Rage like he had never felt boiled in his veins as he pressed his weight against him.
“I’ll make you regret that,” he promised. Alex didn’t fight. He couldn’t. His eyes locked on his soon-to-be ex-wife as Lottie helped her to her feet.
“Erica, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t you fucking talk to her,” Bill growled. “Josh, get him the fuck out of here!”
“My pleasure,” Josh said, grabbing the scruff of his neck.
After that, the house was silent. The family had moved back to the table. Marcus had taken over Erica’s care, staying close by as her family checked him out.
Josh returned and muttered an update. Alex had left without a fight, getting into his car and driving off without a backward glance.
Marcus didn’t know what to say. Where to look.
