Dante's POV
The black car had been sitting there for ten minutes.
I'd noticed it the moment I stepped outside to fix Maya's door. A luxury sedan, tinted windows, engine running. Parked across the street with a perfect view of Maya's house.
And mine.
My Cupid instincts—still sharp despite the transition—screamed danger.
"Stay inside," I told Maya, keeping my voice calm even though my marks were burning hot beneath my tattoos. "Lock the door behind me."
"What? No! If Marcus is out there—"
"Then I'm going to have a conversation with him." I met her terrified eyes. "Trust me. I've dealt with worse than angry ex-husbands."
That was true. I'd dealt with gods, demons, and creatures that would make humans lose their minds. One controlling lawyer didn't scare me.
What scared me was the way Maya looked at me—like I might actually be someone who'd protect her. Like I might stay.
Elena's warning echoed: Don't fall in love before Valentine's Day, or it will kill you.
Too late to worry about that now.
I walked toward the black car, my enhanced senses picking up details normal humans would miss. Someone was definitely inside. Male. Watching through a camera with a long lens pointed at Maya's house.
I knocked on the driver's window.
It rolled down slowly, revealing exactly the type of man I'd expected. Mid-thirties, expensive suit, cold eyes, and a smug smile that said he'd never been punched in the face but probably deserved it.
Marcus Chen. Had to be.
"Can I help you?" His voice was smooth, practiced. Lawyer voice.
"You're parked in front of my house," I said calmly. "Taking pictures of my neighbor. That's called stalking. It's illegal."
"I'm sitting in a public street. There's no law against that." His smile widened. "And you are?"
"Dante Rossi. I live next door. And you're making the woman and child inside afraid." I leaned closer. "Whatever game you're playing, it ends now."
"Game?" Marcus laughed. "I'm checking on my daughter. Making sure she's in a safe environment. Which, from what I can see, she's not. Strange men breaking into the house, her mother fainting, neglectful parenting—"
"You sent her that threatening text." Understanding clicked. "You've been watching her all day. Waiting for something to use against her."
"I'm documenting facts." He held up his phone, showing me the photo of Maya unconscious on the floor. "The judge will be very interested in these. Especially when I explain how an unstable artist can't even take care of herself, let alone a six-year-old child."
Rage—pure, hot, and human—flooded through me. My marks flared so bright they showed through my shirt sleeves. Marcus's eyes widened slightly, seeing the golden glow.
"What the hell—"
I forced the light down, forced myself to stay calm. "Delete the photos."
"Excuse me?"
"Delete them. Now. Or I'll have you arrested for harassment and illegal surveillance."
Marcus's laugh was cruel. "You think I'm afraid of you? I'm a lawyer, friend. I know the law inside and out. And nothing I've done is illegal." He leaned back in his seat, completely confident. "You, on the other hand, broke into private property. I have that on video too. Keep threatening me, and I'll add assault to the list of reasons why Maya's an unfit mother. Can't even choose safe company for her daughter."
Every instinct I had wanted to drag him out of that car and make him delete everything. But he was right—anything I did would only hurt Maya's case.
"You're a coward," I said quietly. "Using your daughter as a weapon to hurt your ex-wife. What kind of father does that?"
Something dangerous flickered in Marcus's eyes. "The kind who wins. Always." He rolled up his window, dismissing me.
I stood there, helpless and furious, as he drove away.
My phone buzzed. Elena.
"His energy is wrong. He's not just human. Something dark is attached to him. Be careful."
Not just human? What did that mean?
I turned back toward Maya's house and found her standing on the porch, Lily tucked behind her, both watching me with wide eyes.
"Is he gone?" Maya's voice shook.
"For now." I walked back to them, hating the fear in their faces. "But he'll be back. He's building a case against you."
"I know." Maya's hand pressed against her chest. "He's going to take her. He's going to take Lily, and there's nothing I can do to stop him."
"Yes, there is." The words came out before I could think them through. "Marry me."
Maya's jaw dropped. "What?"
"Marry me," I repeated, my brain catching up to my mouth. It was crazy. Insane. But also—brilliant. "He's using your single status against you. Saying you're unstable, alone, can't provide a proper home. But if you're married to someone with a stable business and clean record, his entire case falls apart."
"You're insane." Maya stepped back. "I don't even know you."
"You know I'll protect you. You know I'll protect Lily." I held her gaze. "I'm not saying it has to be real. Just legal. Just long enough to get through the custody hearing and prove he has no grounds to take her."
"Why would you do this?" Tears filled her eyes. "Why would you help a stranger?"
Because my marks are burning for you. Because every Cupid instinct I have says you're meant to be protected. Because looking at you makes my dead heart beat for the first time in three thousand years.
"Because it's the right thing to do," I said instead.
Maya shook her head. "This is crazy. We met this morning. You can't just—people don't just marry strangers to help with custody battles!"
"People do stranger things for less important reasons." I took a step closer. "Think about it. What's Marcus's strongest argument? That you're alone, struggling, unstable. But if you have a partner—a husband with a business and income and stability—he has nothing."
"He'll say it's fake."
"Let him try to prove it. We'll get married at the courthouse tomorrow. Quick and legal. I'll move some of my stuff into your house so it looks legitimate. We'll act like a couple in public." My marks pulsed hot, warning me I was sealing my own fate. I ignored them. "By the time he files his custody motion, you'll be a married woman in a stable household. The judge will laugh him out of court."
"And then what? We just get divorced after?"
"If that's what you want. Or we stay legally married as long as you need. No pressure. No expectations." I meant it. Even if my traitorous heart was already hoping she'd never want the divorce. "I'm just offering you a shield, Maya. Something to protect you and Lily until Marcus gives up and goes away."
She stared at me for a long moment, searching my face for lies or hidden motives.
"Why do I feel like I can trust you?" she whispered.
"Because you can," I said simply.
"Mommy!" Lily tugged on Maya's hand. "Mr. Dante makes good pancakes! And he fixed our door! He'd be a good daddy!"
"Lily, that's not—" Maya's face flushed red.
"Think about it," I said gently. "You don't have to decide right now. Sleep on it. But tomorrow morning, I need an answer. Because if we're doing this, we need to do it fast."
Maya nodded slowly, still looking dazed.
I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.
"Dante?"
"Yeah?"
"If I say yes... you promise this is just to help? That you won't—" She struggled for words. "That you won't expect anything from me?"
My heart cracked. How badly had Marcus hurt her that she couldn't imagine someone helping without wanting something in return?
"I promise," I said. "No expectations. No pressure. Just protection."
She nodded, believing me.
I walked back to my house, my marks burning hotter than ever. Elena was going to kill me. I'd just offered to marry the one woman who could destroy my transition to humanity.
But as I glanced back and saw Maya holding Lily close, both of them looking less afraid than before, I knew I'd make the same choice again.
Even if it killed me.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number. A text:
"Stay away from what's mine, or you'll regret it. I destroy anyone who gets in my way. Ask Maya's best friend Rebecca what happens to people who cross me. - Marcus"
What happens to Rebecca?
Another text, this one with a photo attachment. I opened it.
And my blood turned to ice.
Rebecca's face, bruised and swollen, eyes filled with terror. Dated two weeks ago.
The message beneath: "She tried to warn Maya. Look what it got her."
Marcus wasn't just a controlling ex-husband.
He was dangerous.
And I'd just put myself directly in his crosshairs.