Morning came too quickly.
I woke to the unfamiliar silence of Marco's mansion, the kind of silence that only existed in places guarded by high walls and loyal men. For a moment I forgot where I was, then the events of the night returned like a crashing wave gunfire, betrayal, and Marco's outrageous proposal.
Marriage.
I sat up in bed, staring at the sunlight creeping through the curtains.
This was insane. Yet somehow… it was also the safest option.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," I said.
Enzo stepped inside, holding a cup of coffee. He set it on the table beside the bed.
"You'll need that," he said.
"I'm starting to realize that."
He leaned casually against the wall, studying me.
"So," he said, "have you decided?"
"Decided what?"
"Whether you're going to marry my boss."
I nearly choked on the coffee.
"You say that like it's normal."
"In this house, it might become normal very soon."
I rubbed my forehead. "Does Marco really think this will work?"
Enzo shrugged. "He rarely suggests something unless it does."
"That's not reassuring."
Before he could reply, the door opened again and Marco walked in.
He looked composed as ever, dressed in a dark suit that made him look less like a crime boss and more like a powerful businessman.
Which, I supposed he also was.
"Good," he said when he saw me awake. "You're up."
I narrowed my eyes. "You planned this."
"Of course."
"Without even knowing my answer."
Marco's gaze was calm.
"You're still here."
"That's not an answer."
"It tells me enough."
Enzo quietly slipped out of the room, clearly deciding this conversation wasn't his problem.
Marco pulled a chair closer and sat across from me.
"Last night," he said, "proved something important."
"That people want us dead?"
"That the traitor inside my organization is getting bold."
I set the coffee down.
"And your solution is still marriage."
"Yes."
"Why are you so sure it will protect me?"
Marco leaned forward slightly.
"Because the moment people believe you belong to me, you become part of my territory."
I frowned. "Territory?"
"That's how power works in this city."
He paused.
"No one attacks what belongs to Marco D'Angelo without consequences."
The way he said his name carried weight.
Reputation.
Fear.
Authority.
I studied him carefully.
"And what do I get from this deal?"
"Protection."
"Besides that."
His eyes flickered with mild amusement.
"Access."
My interest sharpened.
"To what?"
"To everything."
Information.
Operations.
Connections.
The exact things I had spent months trying to uncover.
Marco saw the realization on my face.
"You wanted to expose corruption," he said quietly. "Standing beside me will take you closer to the truth than any investigation ever could."
"And what's the catch?"
"There is no catch."
I raised an eyebrow.
"There's always a catch."
Marco leaned back slightly.
"You'll need to play the role convincingly."
"And if I don't?"
"People will notice."
I sighed.
"So this fake marriage has to look real."
"Yes."
"And your enemies will believe it?"
"They will when I announce it."
My head snapped up.
"Announce it?"
"Today."
"You're kidding."
"I'm not."
I stood up.
"You're telling the entire city you're marrying someone you met last night?"
Marco stood too.
"The announcement alone will cause confusion."
"And confusion helps you."
"Exactly."
I paced across the room, trying to process the madness of it all.
"You realize this will destroy my normal life."
Marco's voice softened slightly.
"That life was already destroyed the moment someone tried to kill you."
I stopped walking.
He was right again and I hated that.
Marco stepped closer, but not too close.
"You don't have to trust me," he said.
"Good."
"But you do have to trust that I want to survive this as much as you do."
Silence filled the room.
Finally I exhaled.
"Fine."
Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Fine what?"
"I'll do it."
For the first time since I met him, genuine surprise crossed his face.
"You're agreeing?"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
A slow smile appeared.
"Wise decision."
"Temporary decision."
He inclined his head slightly.
"Of course."
Just then Enzo appeared again in the doorway.
"Marco," he said. "The council meeting starts in twenty minutes."
Marco nodded.
Perfect timing.
He turned back to me.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"To meet the people who will soon hear about our engagement."
My stomach twisted.
"This is happening way too fast."
"That's the point."
I followed him down the grand staircase of the mansion. The house was enormous—marble floors, towering windows, and security guards at every corner.
Power lived here.
Danger too.
As we reached the entrance hall, Marco stopped and looked at me.
"One last thing."
"What now?"
He held out his hand.
Just like he had twice before.
"If this is going to work," he said calmly, "you need to stand beside me."
I hesitated.
Then slowly… I placed my hand in his.
Marco's grip was steady, calm and confident.
As the front doors opened and we stepped outside together, I realized something terrifying.
The city was about to believe I belonged to the most dangerous man in it.
And once that lie spread…
There would be no turning back.