Page 51 of Crowned In Blood
A flower cart with a bouquet of yellow tulips caught my eye, reminding me of the one Marco had given me recently. A mixture of golden sunshine that reminded me of his smile. I couldn't stop myself from reaching out to grab them, but as I did, a hand wrapped around mine.
I recognized those long, strong fingers, the tattoos peaking at the cuffs of his sleeves, the scent. The firm body that pressed against my back.
“Hi."
I tilted my head up to look at him. He smiled, but it was different—jittery, nervous even.
“I was wondering when you’d show up.” Even though my words were sarcastic, I couldn't muster up my normal snarky tone. Maybe it was because he was so close to me, or maybe it was because of the sudden relief that washed over me when I saw him. It shocked me, but I'd missed him.
The florist appeared and Marco grabbed a second bouquet of the tulips and paid for both. Then he took the muffins and coffee I'd been holding.
When we broke away from the crowd, he spoke to me in a soft tone. “I was nervous you might be mad at me.”
“I'm not. Thank you for breakfast, and for calling Olivia.”
“Did I overstep?”
He had, but I grinned at him. “Just don’t make it a habit."
The tension left his shoulders and when he smiled at me again, it reminded me of the sun.
We walked to my office in comfortable silence, and when I got up to the top floor, I took the muffins and coffee and handed them to Olivia. “Thank you for taking care of everything today. Why don't you head to lunch and take an extra hour?”
Olivia beamed, but still asked, "Are you sure? Do you need anything?"
I smiled and waved her away. "No, not at all. Go enjoy yourself and we'll catch up when you're back."
She grabbed her purse and the coffee, and waved bye at us both, then Marco and I headed into my office.
Marco switched out the flowers for me while I put away my belongings. Then he plopped down into his usual chair. “Tell me about this gala we’re attending tonight.”
"I've donated a large amount of money to a non-profit for domestic violence and child abuse victims, the Center of Gentle Love and Hope, and recently finished a clinic for them. I'll be presented with an award tonight, but the gala is mainly to collect donations for staff, additional centers, and re-homing their victims." I took a deep breath. "That will generate a lot of PR for me, which means my father will also attend.”
Marco's eyes narrowed, and a tic started in his cheek. "And what are you planning on doing to him when you get him alone?"
His anger fed my own and when I spoke, it was in a low voice. “I need to talk to him, see what he wants.”
Marco frowned. “It feels like he’s getting off too easy. He tried to kidnap you, Catalina. You could’ve been hurt,” he bit out.
I sighed. “It’s the only move I have. Meeting him privately is too risky. He'd bring his guards, and since eight men weren't enough, I'm sure he'd double or triple it."
Fire raged in Marco's deep brown eyes, but I ignored it.
"I also can't bring along any of my men to support me while we meet. He likely wants access to my familia or to drag me back under his thumb. That's a risk I'm not willing to take," I said with more force than I meant to. But my familia could never know what I'd been through, that I was once weak and abused, or else they'd never look at me the same.
My gaze flickered to Marco's. There was a time when I feared the same with him. I never wanted him to see me as less than or incapable. But after last night, I knew he wouldn't. I couldn't explain how or exactly what he'd done to convince me, but the feeling was there with absolute certainty.
Clearing my throat, I continued, "That means this has to happen at a PR event where there's security and I'm in the spotlight. He won't do anything there until the event is over, and he wouldn't be able to bring a large group with him. I'll have the upper hand this way, no matter what he tries.”
Marco clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening, before he slowly relaxed with a sigh. “What time should I pick you up?”
I gave him a small smile. “The gala starts at 7 PM, but I'd like to get there a little early.”
“Okay."
I squeezed my hands in my lap, gathering my courage. “Do you want anything?”
He furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
