Anna's POV
Marcus's arms felt like steel bands around me as he carried me toward the elevator. My heart beat so hard I was certain he could feel it through my blouse. The warmth radiating from his chest made it difficult to maintain my composure, and I hated that my body betrayed me this way.
"Put me down," I said, my voice edged with irritation.
Marcus acted as if he hadn't heard me, striding directly into the elevator without breaking his pace. From the corner of my eye, I caught Joseph deliberately blocking Rachel and Clayton from following us. Rachel's expression hardened, her protective instincts clearly kicking into overdrive.
She'd be furious about this—my safety was her top priority, after all.
The moment the elevator doors closed, I tried again. "Uncle Marcus, please put me down. I'm perfectly fine now." After that bland rice porridge, strength had returned to my limbs. There was absolutely no reason for him to continue carrying me like this.
