Page 35 of Light in Your Eyes

"Thanks," I say to the person who just saved me.

He helps me put two bottles of water onto the tray I'm holding. "You're welcome." He smiles, and I'm thankful that there's kindness greeting me. "I'm Marco, by the way."

I follow him as he leads me back into the hallway. I thought that he would go with me upstairs, but then he pushes me toward an area under the staircase, surprisingme. He corners me against the wall but still maintains a safe distance from me, as though he's trying to tell me that he's not going to hurt me.

"You have to be careful," he says. "What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"

I huff. "Well, surprise. I'm indeed Kellan's caregiver. He just doesn't want to admit it."

Marco frowns. "That's the truth?" His mouth twitches in disapproval. "What a fucking jerk."

"Do you think that everyone is going to believe me?" I ask.

Marco stares down, as if he's deep in thought. Then he returns his gaze to me. "I don't know." There's guilt in his voice. "I'm sorry, but I don't think that they will unless you have a tattoo."

"Can I not work as a caregiver for Black Wings leader without being a part of it?" I ask. "I don't even want to be a member."

"Not a chance," Marco says truthfully. "The rules here are very clear. Non-members are not allowed to enter the property. It's not negotiable."

I swallow.

"Stay away from Luca," Marco says. "He's dangerous. He's no good for you."

I laugh humorlessly. "I'm very aware of that. Do you know him well?"

Marco shakes his head. "Not really, but enough to know what kind of person he is. My brother is the one close to him. I'm sorry, he took part in mocking you just now."

I can see Marco's anger radiating from his body, and it's flattering that he cares about me, unlike most people here.

"If nobody here won't believe my story unless I have a tattoo, what makes you believe me?" I ask, and when he gives me a questioning look, I quickly add, "Not that I have a problem with that. I just want to know why, because it means so much to me."

Marco's smile is back on his face. "Because I know how it feels."

I squint at him.

"Because I was once like you, Layla," he says. "I saw you when you first stepped into this place. You looked lost, so very lost. You didn't want to be here. You're not an intruder, and I knew it the moment I saw you for the first time."

His words almost make me cry. He's the only person in this place who believes me so easily.

Even Kellan couldn't do that.

"I was also like that," he says. "I was here because I was worried about my brother. He sent a lot of money, but my family never figured out what he actually did. I did tons of research and finally found out about Black Wings. I was worried that he was involved in something dangerous, and it turned out that my fear was right. Now, I'm stuck in this place too because I was looking for him."

"I'm so sorry," I whisper. "I'm sorry that this happened to you."

He shakes his head again. "I'm okay now. I can survive. It's you I'm worried about. You're not supposed to be here. This place will ruin you. Kellan is blind, but he's a dangerous man. Tell me, did he touch you?"

Something glints in his eyes—a hint of possessiveness—but I don't want to think too much aboutit.

"No, he didn't," I say.

Marco smiles. "Good. Just let me know if you need anything." He suddenly kisses my cheek, startling me.

When I look up at him, he only gives me a playful smirk.

***

"Where the hell have you been?" Kellan's loud voice snaps at me the moment I come back into his room.