Chapter 70: ’He is mine’

Third POV

"I gotta go back," Marco managed to whisper between the intense make out.

Fabio did not stop, at least not until Marco grabbed his hair and pulled him back. Even then, Fabio looked displeased, as though he had been interrupted in the middle of something far more important than whatever awaited them outside the washroom.

Marco let out a breath and stared at him. "It’s been more than five minutes. Who stays in the washroom for that long?"

Fabio eyed him for a moment before finally exhaling. He stepped back, allowing Marco to release his hair, and the two took a moment to collect themselves. From their messed-up hair to their crumpled clothes, neither of them looked like they had simply gone to the washroom to take care of business. Anyone who saw them would have needed no explanation to guess what had happened behind the closed door.

"Before I forget," Fabio spoke, his attention shifting to something that had clearly been bothering him. "I wanted to ask what went on between you and your friends. Tony and James. I heard rumors among the servants that they were your father’s men from the beginning."

Marco pressed his lips together, showing no sign of emotion as he resumed buttoning his suit coat. "It’s true."

Fabio remained silent for a while, observing Marco as though waiting for him to offer more information. However, Marco continued fixing his clothes with the same nonchalant attitude, making no effort to explain himself until Fabio finally decided to ask the question directly.

"And you’re sure they won’t expose me?"

Marco finished fastening the buttons before turning to face him. "They serve me now. Edoardo wanted to kill them after he kidnapped us back then, because they betrayed him. Instead of reporting about my life out there, they killed every man Edoardo sent. I... stopped Edoardo from killing them, and they swore loyalty to me."

Fabio furrowed his brows, considering his words. "Why would they go against their Don for you in the first place? Unless it’s a trap being set by Edoardo."

"I never asked," Marco replied. "So far, they haven’t done anything suspicious."

That answer did little to ease Fabio’s suspicion. He knew better than to trust people simply because they claimed to have changed sides. In their world, loyalty could be bought, manipulated, or faked for the right opportunity. And if Tony and James had served Edoardo from the beginning, there was no telling what they might have been hiding from Marco.

Fabio fell silent for another moment before narrowing his eyes sharply at Marco. He reached for the man’s coat collar and gripped it, forcing Marco to look directly at him.

"If they’re really under Edoardo’s command, he definitely knows about me being here."

Marco smirked evilly. "That’s why I want you gone. Run now while you have a chance."

Fabio tightened his grip on the coat, his expression hardening at the suggestion. "But if they’re really on your side, it will be easier to bring Edoardo down. I already have an idea of how to get... Luca... out of the picture without affecting your business with the Prime Minister."

Marco raised a brow at the sudden mention of Luca’s name. "You really want to kill him that badly?"

Fabio released Marco’s collar and stepped back, fixing his own hair and clothes. He appeared far less bothered by the question than he should have been, which only made the answer more obvious. Whatever Fabio had in mind for Luca, it certainly had nothing to do with wishing him well.

Marco watched him for a moment. Seeing that Fabio remained silent, he decided to ask something that had been on his mind for a while.

"You know, I’ve been asking myself what you really want from me. Do you think everything will ever be the same as before? Partying, racing, and doing all kinds of shit in the dirtiest places? You think we could ever return to that life, continue... with the deal we made?"

Fabio did not reply immediately. He continued straightening his clothes, seemingly more interested in making himself presentable than answering the question. Perhaps he understood what Marco was getting at, or perhaps he simply refused to entertain the possibility that things between them could no longer be what they once were.

After a moment, he turned towards the door.

"If I want something, I get it at all cost."

With that, Fabio walked out of the washroom, leaving Marco behind with a gaze filled with suspicion and doubt. Fabio seemed far too calm, far too convinced that nothing would ever change, as though he believed that once all this was over, they could return to their former lives without consequence.

But Marco knew better.

Once your identity was revealed in the world they had been born into, there was no chance of being reckless again. Every decision carried consequences, and every person around you could become either an ally or an enemy. There would be plotting, wars, deception, betrayal, and blood. No matter how much one wished to escape, there was no simple way out.

Perhaps that was what Fabio failed to understand. Or perhaps he understood it perfectly and simply did not care.

Either way, Marco had no intention of finding out just yet.

He followed Fabio out of the washroom, preparing himself to return to his neglected fiancé.

***

***

Inside the car, Fabio sat behind the steering wheel while Marco and Luca occupied the back seat. The atmosphere remained silent, with no one making an effort to start a conversation.

Marco had his head resting against the seat, his eyes closed as though he had fallen into a light nap. He appeared completely at ease, showing no sign of concern about the tension building beside him.

Luca, on the other hand, was doing what he usually did whenever he was around Marco: looking at him.

Only this time, there was nothing sweet about his expression. The familiar adoration had been replaced by a sharp glare filled with murderous thoughts, his attention fixed on the marks scattered across Marco’s neck. The redness had become more pronounced, and there were even more marks than before.

Anyone with a functioning brain would have known exactly how they had gotten there.

Luca clenched his fist, his jaw tightening as he stared at those unmistakable signs of someone else’s touch. He seemed to be struggling with the urge to do something about it, but for the moment, he remained still.

Slowly, he raised his hand, hovering it over Marco’s neck without actually touching him. His eyes narrowed, and he swallowed hard, grinding his teeth as he fought to contain his displeasure.

From the driver’s seat, Fabio kept casting glances through the rearview mirror. He saw everything, from Luca’s clenched fist to the hand hovering dangerously close to Marco’s neck. The sight was enough to bring a satisfied smirk to his lips.

He did not need to say anything. The marks were already speaking for him, and Luca’s expression only made the situation more amusing.

As Fabio continued driving, his eyes glowed even devilishly.

The smirk on his face said everything.

’He is mine.’