Page 81 of His to Keep
Mal shoved an apple into Carl’s mouth, spearing it in place by his teeth. The men untied his writhing body from the chair and dragged him deeper into the barn.
They tugged a rusty chain down from the metal railing, circling the icy metal around his already bound wrists. His writhing body was hoisted up by a levy with his feet left dangling.
“We’ll be back later, once ya’ve bled out.” Mal laughed as they all turned away.
The men walked a few steps from his convulsing body. Without warning, Ciaran spun back around to face him.
He pointed the silencer at Carl and squeezed the trigger, blowing a bullet through Carl’s throat. “And that one’s from me.”
35
Seconds after Marcus had knocked Carl out cold with an ashtray, the security team arrived and bundled Carl into the back of a car.
Marcus’s wound had haemorrhaged blood quicker than a burst pipe and he’d almost passed out for the second time. One of the guests came forward to help him—an American surgeon.
She doused his wound in McGrath whiskey and tightly wrapped his chest with bandages from the first aid kit, to prevent further blood loss.
Marcus knew Lana would be reluctant to let him out of her sight. His heart crashed into his aching ribs when he witnessed her fragility, helplessly watching her beg Jamie to let her go with him to the hospital.
The fact she was in shock, naked and drenched in blood was enough of a reason to force her to stay at Villa Veronica, take a warm shower and put on some clothes. Marcus kissed her cold tear streaked cheeks and ordered her to stay. It wasn’t by choice that he left her again, it was a necessity.
The brothers knew what had to be done. Lana was blissfully unaware that Marcus left the hospital once his wound was patched up, and Carl Reed paid for his actions with his life.
She hadn’t noticed the men trail Carl’s limp body away because her entire world revolved around Marcus and making sure he stayed alive. It was only after she had showered, that Freddy told her Carl would finally be taken care of.
When Marcus returned at the break of a new day, he jogged into her open arms and kissed her ghostly pale face, fluttering warmth over her sunken eyes. Holding her close, Marcus had nodded to Jamie, signifying Carl’s fate had been sealed. The weight of his responsibility drifted off into the sunrise.
The deed had been done.
He had witnessed the brutality and accepted it as the only way to keep Lana safe. Wrapping her in his powerful arms, Marcus kept her close as they watched the blazing orange sunrise light up the world, signifying a fresh start.
The future was filled with promise and most importantly, Lana. When her head tipped to his chest and her breathing turned shallow, he carried her to bed where they slept peacefully in each other’s arms.
* * *
Villa Veronica had been reclaimedas a peaceful home once again. Freddy was happy to cater for everyone while Marcus demanded all of Lana’s time.
Every now and again, she sat up on her elbows, just to watch his golden body flow through the water with grace. His wound was covered in a waterproof dressing, reminding her of the unbearable feeling of loss she endured.
The sun was high in the sky, reflecting golden light across the water. He rose out of the pool like an Adonis. Water droplets trickled down his muscular golden physic.
The outline of his six-pack glistened as his arms raised and his fingers swept back inky black hair. The snug black shorts hugged his glorious cock, clinging to the bulge in an enviable position.
Her breathing intensified. Her obvious gawk lingered as he sauntered her way with sparkling green eyes focused solely on her. He leant across the lounger, water dripping off his hard form and almost sizzling as it melted into her warm skin. His wet lips pressed down on hers and he indulged in a gentle loving kiss.
A balmy lemon scented breeze wafted around them. “I’d like to take you on a date,” he said breaking their connection.
“A date?” She stifled a grin.
“I owe you a first date.” He smiled lazily. “There’s a hotel on the island of Capri with an amazing restaurant. I think you’d really like it. The views are stunning.”
“Sounds perfect!” Her eyes sparkled, watching avidly as he patted his moist skin with a towel.
“We can take the Eurocopter directly from the Villa. Do you want to stay in the hotel?”
Her head shook. “Let’s stay here. I don’t think Jamie is ready to let you out of his sight again.” She smiled with sincerity and truth.
He nodded casually. “Fine. As long as you end up in my bed later.”
