Chapter 13: A Reckoning in the Dark

The air inside the mansion was thick with tension, an invisible weight pressing down on every corner of the grand estate. Jenny sat in the dimly lit room, her hands curled into fists against the fabric of her dress, her pulse hammering in her throat.

Marcus hadn’t spoken a word since she’d stitched up his wound. He had simply watched her, his expression unreadable, his dark eyes piercing through her like he could see every thought racing through her mind.

But silence never lasted long with Marcus.

“Come here,” he finally said, his voice quiet but commanding.

Jenny hesitated for half a second before standing, her breath unsteady as she moved toward him. He was seated in the massive leather chair by the fireplace, his shirt still undone, exposing the bandage wrapped around his torso. Even injured, he exuded power, an aura that demanded obedience.

She stopped just in front of him, refusing to drop her gaze.

Marcus reached out, his fingers brushing against the inside of her wrist, then curling around it. “You stayed.”

She swallowed. “You asked me to.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was no humor in it. “You could have run.”

Jenny let out a slow breath. “Maybe I should have.”

His grip tightened, just enough to make her heart skip a beat. “But you didn’t.”

She didn’t know if it was an accusation or a realization, but it made her stomach twist either way.

Before she could answer, the door burst open.

Rafael stood in the doorway, his face grim. Behind him, two men entered—men Jenny hadn’t seen before. They were dressed in dark suits, their expressions blank but their eyes sharp.

Marcus didn’t release her wrist as he addressed them. “Tell me.”

One of the men stepped forward. “The attack wasn’t random. They were waiting for you.”

Jenny’s stomach dropped.

Marcus’s jaw clenched. “Who?”

The man hesitated. “There’s… a message.” He pulled a small envelope from his coat and extended it toward Marcus.

Marcus finally let go of Jenny’s wrist to take the envelope. He tore it open, his eyes scanning the words inside. Whatever was written there made his expression darken, his grip tightening around the paper until his knuckles turned white.

Jenny didn’t realize she had stepped closer until she spoke. “Marcus?”

His eyes snapped up to hers, and for the first time, she saw something she rarely saw in him.

Rage.

Uncontrolled, burning rage.

Without a word, he pushed to his feet. Rafael tensed immediately, like he was anticipating an explosion.

Jenny placed a hand on Marcus’s arm, trying to ground him. “What does it say?”

For a long moment, he didn’t answer. Then, slowly, he turned the paper toward her.

Her breath caught as she read the words written in neat, elegant script.

"You should have stayed in the shadows. Now, she will pay the price."

Jenny felt the blood drain from her face.

It was about her.

Marcus crushed the paper in his fist. “They think they can threaten me with you.” His voice was eerily calm, but the storm beneath it was undeniable.

Jenny’s pulse pounded. “Who are they?”

Rafael stepped forward. “Someone with a death wish.”

The second man finally spoke, his voice steady. “We believe it’s connected to Alexander Romano.”

Marcus went still.

Jenny frowned. “Who’s Alexander Romano?”

Rafael let out a harsh breath. “A ghost. A man who should have died years ago.”

Marcus’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Apparently, he didn’t.”

Jenny’s heart pounded. She wasn’t stupid—she knew Marcus had enemies. But this? This felt different.

She looked up at him. “What does he want?”

Marcus met her gaze, and for a second, she saw something there. Something like… hesitation.

Then it was gone.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said simply. “Because he’s not going to get it.”

Jenny wasn’t sure she believed him.

Before she could say anything else, the door swung open again. This time, it was Elena.

Jenny had only met her once before, but she hadn’t forgotten her. Elena was striking—dark hair, sharp green eyes, and a confidence that made the air around her feel charged.

She stepped inside, her gaze flicking between Jenny and Marcus before settling on the latter. “I heard.”

Marcus nodded, his expression unreadable. “Then you know what comes next.”

Elena smirked. “Of course.”

Jenny watched the exchange, unease curling in her stomach. “What comes next?”

Elena turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “We go hunting.”

Jenny’s breath caught.

Marcus didn’t correct her.

And just like that, Jenny knew—this wasn’t just about defense.

This was about vengeance.

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