Theirs to Protect - Julia Sykes Page 0,16
I wasn’t thinking straight, but that’s no excuse for what I did. I will never leave you again, Marco. If I need to hurt someone to protect Ashlyn—to protect you—I’ll do it without a second’s hesitation. I won’t shed blood for a criminal syndicate, but I’ll fight like hell for my family. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep both of you safe.”
A long, tense moment of silence passed before Marco offered a stiff nod. Something crumbled in the center of my chest. He believed me, but the pain of my abandonment hadn’t been erased. Maybe it never would be.
“Leo didn’t tell me anything that might help us identify the threat,” he continued on, as though I hadn’t poured out my guilt and cut both of us deeper than any knife could manage. “Do you think your father would talk to you? He might know something about what’s going on with the mafia in Boston.”
“Yeah, he’ll talk to me.” I finally stepped back, giving us both space to breathe. I’d left my phone in the bedroom, and I’d have to risk disturbing Ashlyn to retrieve it. “I’ll call him tomorrow morning, while Ashlyn is busy with her lectures. I don’t want her anywhere near this. You know how empathetic she is. She’ll sense that something’s wrong if we’re tense and worried.” I clapped him on the shoulder, trying to coax him out of his dark mood. “Maybe now would be a good time to wake Ashlyn up and dig into those waffles. She’ll love having dessert for dinner. I think she’s more than earned her sweet treat.”
I expected Marco to return a shadow of my teasing smile, but to my shock, his cheeks flushed. “I think I dropped the waffles when I came home. They’re probably ruined.” He scrubbed a hand through his short black hair. “I kind of lost it after you sent me that picture of Ashlyn tied to our bed. I ran straight upstairs as soon as I got through the front door.”
My laughter rolled through the room, a warm wave that pushed away the suffocating darkness. “After all that, you didn’t even manage to salvage the waffles? You missed out on at least half an hour with Ashlyn because you insisted on waiting in line to order them.”
Marco blinked, and the shadows finally cleared from his eyes. His mouth curved in a hint of a smile. For Marco, that was almost a grin. “You should’ve known better than to send me a picture of our girl naked and bound. Especially when we were both wound up from her teasing us at the café. It’s your fault, really.”
My brows lifted. “Is that what you’re going to tell Ashlyn? You’re going to throw me under the bus?”
“Tell me what?” Ashlyn’s melodic voice hitched on a yawn. “No one’s throwing anyone under the bus.”
Marco and I both turned, instantly seeking her out. All the air rushed from my chest at the sight of my angel. Her porcelain skin practically shined after her intense orgasm, and her pale pink robe highlighted the rosy tint that colored her cheeks.
“Marco ruined your waffle,” I informed her, a teasing grin tugging at my lips. She was exactly the distraction he needed right now. Her soft, sweet presence would pull him back to the light more effectively than I could ever manage.
“Oh no!” she exclaimed, her sapphire eyes going wide. Instead of pouting and complaining, she went straight to Marco with open arms. Our sensitive girl felt the worry radiating from his tense frame and immediately sought to comfort him. “It’s okay, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his stiff shoulders and tipped her head back. “I’m glad you hurried home. You’re tastier than any waffles.” To prove her point, she went up on her tiptoes and captured his lips in a tender kiss.
I joined them, placing a hand on her lower back and urging her even closer to him. “See?” I said gently, willing my words to reach Marco. “Ashlyn isn’t upset at all.” She didn’t know anything about the threat that had shaken Marco to his core, and she hadn’t been hurt during our rough sex.
“Nope, not upset at all,” she agreed breathily, her mouth brushing his. “In fact, I feel amazing.” She arched into him. “Better than I’ve felt in weeks. Thank you, Daddy.” She turned and sought a kiss from me, too. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Anything for you, angel,” I promised, claiming her lips even as I pushed her deeper into