War of Hearts

“You don’t have to worry about what your father thinks,” he said firmly. “What he wants you to be doesn’t matter. What matters is what will make you happy. This is your life, Ashlyn. Not his. If you never want to go back to school, that’s okay. Know that whatever you choose, I’ll be proud of you. I’ll take care of you, no matter what.”

My tears spilled over his fingers, falling faster than he could wipe them away. No one had ever told me they were proud of me, and certainly not unconditionally. It was why I didn’t trust people easily; if I let myself be open and vulnerable for even a second, I might get hurt.

“I’ve always felt like I have to be perfect in everything I do, or my dad would be disappointed in me,” I admitted.

“I think you’re perfect. Just the way you are.”

He lifted me up in his arms, holding me close while I cried cathartic tears. I’d never told anyone my deepest secrets before. I’d never trusted anyone like I was trusting Marco. Not even Joseph, even though I’d wanted to open up to him.

“Do you understand now, babygirl?” he asked when my tears subsided. “Does the way you feel about me make sense?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice still thick from crying. “But what about you? Why do you like this?”

All I could see was my benefit from this dynamic. Marco took care of me, and I didn’t have to do anything to earn his affection.

But what did he get out of taking on that responsibility?

His jaw firmed, but he continued to cuddle me close. “I need someone to take care of. I need to feel needed, necessary,” he admitted. “I don’t have a great relationship with my father, either. Joseph is my only family now.”

“What about your mom?” I asked softly, almost afraid to push him.

His eyes shuttered. “She died when I was eleven.”

Fresh tears flowed from my eyes, but this time, they were for him. “I’m so sorry.” I could tell he wasn’t ready to talk about her, about his pain. But it was enough that he’d shared his loss with me. I understood him better now. I understood why he wanted me in this particular, strange way.

He blinked and focused on me again, but his jaw was still clenched. “I have a surprise for you, princess.”

He got to his feet, guiding me up with him.

“What is it?” I asked.

A ghost of his smile returned, but his eyes were still tight with worry. “I’ll show you. Come on.”

He led me through the massive house. I thought he must be taking me to the backyard, but instead, we entered the glass-walled conservatory.

At first, all I could see was the indoor garden. A large, rectangular patch of dirt was raised about four feet off the ground, walled in by patterned, pale blue tiles. A variety of floral bushes grew from the soil. I couldn’t identify them, but the colorful blooms were pretty. I hadn’t seen them up close before, because I’d never entered this space from inside the house. I’d only peered in at the pool when Joseph and I went for walks outside.

Marco led me around the indoor garden, and I sucked in a surprised gasp.

The pool.

It had been cleaned and filled, and the glowing blue water called to me, practically begging me to dive in.

I turned to him with a delighted giggle. “You fixed it for me,” I exclaimed. “Thank you.”

His lips curved in a smile, but tension lingered around his eyes. He seemed upset about something, and I didn’t understand.

“What is it?” I asked, some of my joy deflating. “Why didn’t you want me to go swimming?” I remembered the way he’d glared at Joseph when he’d asked Marco to get the pool serviced. I’d thought it was because Marco didn’t care about my happiness, but now, he’d made it clear that wasn’t the case.

He brushed a kiss against my forehead. “I like seeing you smile, princess. So, I changed my mind.”

He hadn’t really answered my question, but he didn’t give me a chance to press him.

“Go on,” he urged. “Get in.”

“But I don’t have a swimsuit.”

A wicked grin chased away the last of his tension. “No, you don’t. Strip.”