Innocence (Tales of Olympus #1)(79)

“They thought to crack down by becoming more vicious in their collection endeavors. They went after not only the men who owed them but their families. It had the opposite effect they intended. Because my father promised people that he lived by a Code. No one would suffer but the sinners themselves. The innocent would be left out of it.”

Marcus’s eyes drifted to the window as he thought of Chiara. “My father held fast to his Code until the day he died.”

Marcus shifted his gaze back to Cora. “The Titans, however, lived by no such Code.”

“Chiara,” Cora said.

Marcus nodded but he couldn’t say more about his sister. Not tonight. Maybe not ever. “Anyway, that’s how it began. I took over for my father and I tried to enforce his Code. It might not be anything you could ever believe, but I do what I do to keep those like Chiara safe.” Even as he said it, though, he felt his own hypocrisy. Because no one was more like Chiara than the woman sitting on the seat beside him.

Cora’s small hand found his.

He pulled away. What was wrong with her? How could she look at him like that, with eyes brimming full of sympathy? Her family and his were natural enemies from the day both of them had been born.

She had no business looking at him with understanding. Especially after what he’d done to her.

He didn’t even know why he was saying all this. Why was he trying to pretend that he was anything other than what he was?

“Forget about it.”

“No. No, Marcus, no.”

She grabbed his hand again. “You look at me this time.” He looked at her if only because nobody else had the balls to try to order him around like that.

“I’m so sorry for what happened to your sister, Marcus. I’m so sorry that any of this happened. We should have met in a different world where you were just a man and I was just a woman.”

He shook his head but he couldn’t help reaching out and caressing a thumb down her face and over the apple of her cheek. So much of his life dedicated to protecting it and he’d almost forgotten what it looked like—true innocence.

“You’re a marvel,” he murmured.

He continued tracing with his thumb, over to her mouth and across her plump bottom lip. She sucked in a sharp gasp at his touch.

He smiled. She was so affected by him. Even when she’d professed to hate him, she’d always been so affected.

The devil in him drove him to thrust his thumb between those sweet lips. This was her effect on him. It was impossible to see her innocence without wanting to have it all to himself.

Her tongue darted forward to lick the pad of his thumb in her mouth and immediately his dress slacks became uncomfortably tight.

He only pulled back with reluctance. As much as he’d like to shove that fancy dress up and pull her into his lap, he didn’t trust that he wouldn’t rip the damn thing off considering the things he felt like doing to her. And he wanted to give her this night.

She loved the theater. She lit up reading the stupid brochure the night of the auction. The desire to put her needs first was a strange impulse he felt himself giving into more and more.

He was glad when they arrived on Theater Row and the driver pulled to a stop. Sometimes the train of his own thoughts around Cora unsettled him.

Several of his Shades approached the car as he helped Cora out. He raised his chin to each of them, all men he trusted. They would be on guard at all times tonight both in and outside the theater. Sharo was still lying low.

Marcus took Cora’s arm as they headed into the theater. It was the largest and grandest theater on the Row, with a huge marquee all lit up with flashing bulbs. Marcus wanted to hustle Cora inside but she’d stopped, staring up at it all, her eyes wide, perfect lips parted, glowing like a goddess.

Marcus stood there drinking her in for a moment. Too long a moment. It wasn’t safe here out on the street. Marcus frowned and grabbed her arm more firmly.

“Let’s go,” he ordered gruffly.

Cora huffed, obviously annoyed at him but he ignored her. She never understood even the basics of what it took to stay safe in a city like this. Obviously. She’d walked right into his waiting clutches when he was so obviously a lion and she a lamb.

Well she might not have any instinct for self-preservation but he did, and he’d keep her safe no matter what. Safe from everyone but him.

He led her up the grand, red carpeted staircase and down the secluded hallway to the balcony of the box seats. Ushers looked at them as if to ask about their tickets but as soon as they got close enough and recognized Marcus’s face, they simply dropped their heads and scurried away again.

Box seats weren’t always the best seats in the house but they were in this theater. Marcus helped Cora settle into the front row of the box seat that provided a perfect, unimpeded view of the entire stage and orchestra.

Even though nothing was happening yet, Cora seemed mesmerized, using the tiny binoculars to look at all the people who were arriving.

“Everyone looks so fancy,” she whispered, breathless.

Marcus smiled at her. Her neck was long and elegant with her hair done up like that. He followed the lines down to her creamy chest and the smallest peek of cleavage afforded by the elegant gown. He could barely wait until later tonight. He could imagine it, what the buttery soft velvet would feel like under his skin as he grabbed her around the waist and slowly, slowly slid down the zipper at the back, unwrapping his prize.