The car sped through the empty streets, the sound of sirens fading somewhere behind us. My pulse was still racing from the gunfire, from the realization that someone inside Marco's organization had tried to kill him and me along with him.
Enzo drove with the calm precision of someone used to chaos. His eyes never stopped scanning the mirrors while Marco sat beside me, silent with his jaw tight. The dim glow of streetlights flashed across his face as we passed beneath them.
Finally, I broke the silence.
"So," I said quietly, "what happens now?"
Marco leaned back slightly, exhaling slowly. "Now we make them regret moving too soon."
"That sounds optimistic."
"It's strategy."
I shook my head. "Your strategy almost got us killed."
His gaze shifted toward me. Calm,sharp and calculating.
"No," he said. "Their impatience saved us."
"How?"
"Because now we know they're desperate."
Enzo suddenly spoke from the front seat. "We're not safe yet. Two cars have been following us since the bridge."
My stomach dropped instantly.
Marco didn't even look surprised.
"Lose them."
Enzo smirked slightly. "Already working on it."
He turned sharply down a narrow side street. The car swerved through tight corners, tires screeching against wet pavement.
I gripped the seat.
"This is insane."
"Welcome to my life," Marco replied calmly.
Another turn. Then another.
Finally, Enzo slowed the car.
"They're gone."
For the first time since the attack, the tension eased slightly.
But not completely.
Marco leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, deep in thought.
Something was turning in his mind.
Something big.
Then he looked at me.
And I suddenly knew I wasn't going to like what he said next.
"There's only one way to stop this quickly."
I crossed my arms. "I'm afraid to ask."
"We change the narrative."
"That sounds vague."
"We make them believe you're untouchable."
I frowned. "How?"
Marco held my gaze.
"By marrying you."
The words hit me like a punch.
"What?"
Enzo glanced at us in the rearview mirror, clearly amused.
"You're serious?" I asked.
"Completely."
"That's ridiculous."
Marco's expression didn't change.
"Is it?"
"Yes!"
I gestured wildly.
"You're a crime boss. I'm the person who's been trying to expose people like you. How exactly does marriage fix that?".
"Because power respects power," he replied simply.
"And right now, you have none."
I opened my mouth to argue but stopped.
He wasn't wrong.
I had information.
But information alone didn't keep people alive.
Marco continued.
"If my enemies believe you're connected to me, they'll hesitate. Touching you becomes a declaration of war."
"And if they don't hesitate?"
His voice was cold.
"Then they die."
The way he said it made my skin prickle.
Not dramatic neither emotional just a statement of fact.
I stared at him.
"You're insane."
"Possibly."
"And you expect me to just agree to this?"
"I expect you to survive."
The car fell silent again.
Outside,the city lights blurred past like distant stars.
I thought about the flash drive, about the attack and about the people who were now hunting me.
Marco watched me carefully.
"You don't have to love me," he said quietly. "You don't even have to like me."
"That's reassuring."
"This would be an alliance."
"Convenient."
"Strategic."
I rubbed my temples.
"This is the worst idea I've ever heard."
Enzo chuckled under his breath.
Marco ignored him.
"You wanted to expose corruption in this city," he continued. "This gives you access to everything."
That made me pause.
Everything.
Information.
Networks.
Secrets.
The exact things I needed.
Marco saw the hesitation.
"That's what I thought."
I sighed heavily.
"I can't believe I'm even considering this."
"You are."
"Only because the alternative is getting murdered."
"Motivation can be useful."
I glared at him.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?.
"Not particularly."
But the faint hint of a smile betrayed him.
The car slowed as we approached a large iron gate.
Enzo pressed a button on the dashboard.
The gates slowly opened.
Beyond them stood a massive estate hidden behind high walls and tall trees.
Marco's home or fortress.
Probably both.
As the car rolled inside, I looked at him again.
"One question."
"Yes?"
"How long would this… arrangement last?"
Marco thought for a moment.
"Until the threat is gone."
"That's not very specific."
"War rarely is."
The car stopped in front of the mansion.
Enzo stepped out first.
Marco opened my door and offered his hand.
Just like he had in the alley earlier that night.
Only this time, the decision felt far heavier.
I looked at his hand, then at his eyes.
"If I say yes," I said slowly, "my life changes forever."
Marco nodded.
"Yes."
"And if I say no?"
His voice softened but the truth remained sharp.
"Then you'll be fighting this war alone."
The night air was cool against my skin.
The city was quiet again.
But I knew that silence wouldn't last long.
Because somewhere out there, someone had already decided we should both be dead.
And the only way to survive…
Might be to marry my enemy.