Loving Marcus

by Roxanne Greening

  Loving

  Marcus

  Carter Family Generations Book 1

  Roxanne Greening

  Chapter 1

  Willow

  I knew what my family was, killers. I knew what their friends were, killers. I knew what Marcus was, a killer. I wanted to be different, living a cleaner, quieter life. Those thoughts swirled around in my brain.

  The sun beat down on my shoulders as I focused on the shot. The leaves in front of me were falling perfectly from the trees. The golden yellow leaves coated the small, barely able to hold two cars, road.

  All the trees were a perfect shade of gold and screamed for me to take a picture. I have never seen something so uniquely odd, yet stunningly beautiful before in my life.

  This stretch of road held a once in a lifetime beauty. Marcus shifted slightly to my back left, and I signed in frustration.

  I wanted to scream at him to stop, but I couldn’t bring myself to yell at him. The connection I felt for him was holding me back. It was almost like our souls were screaming for each other.

  “Please Marcus, I’m almost there,” I begged.

  He stopped his beautiful blue eyes and scanned the area again. I watched as the sun played off his light brown hair. His scruffy beard and rugged, muscular good looks had girls throwing themselves at him. I watched as his muscles tightened as he shifted again. He was perfect.

  I wanted to capture him at this moment. I wanted to preserve the way his t-shirt looked, tight in all the right places, and showcased his perfect upper body.

  Turning I looked at the spot that I wanted to capture and sighed. Marcus wasn’t talking to me again. He was back to treating me like the furniture. I hated when he acted this way.

  He wants you. That voice, the one that was always telling me bad things whispered to me. No, I want him. I silently whispered back. I’ve always wanted him.

  I pressed the button on my camera and captured this rare and unusual beauty.

  Chapter 2

  Willow

  I was in the dark room. The red glow was comforting as I slowly brought my pictures to life. The small room with its white walls was perfect for this. Although, it was too small for the both of us.

  Marcus, my ever-present shadow, was standing on the other side of the door. It confused me. Why was he out there? I was in my apartment, and he didn’t follow me anywhere else but here.

  I had a show coming up in just a few days. These pictures would be a part of my showcase. I have this dream that I will one day own a little gallery. My family offered more than once to buy me my own, but I’ve turned them down every time. I wanted to do this on my own. No, I needed to do it on my own.

  My family didn’t understand why I wouldn’t let them help me. I was a mafia brat. My father was a contract killer and my older brother Tripp, and sister Lilyanna was following in his footsteps.

  I respected them for that. Although, I wanted to create art, and share the beauty that I saw in the world.

  “Willow, it’s time for you to eat.” Marcus’s voice echoed throughout the room.

  He was always on my case, like when I should eat and how much. I guess without him I wouldn’t be as healthy as I was. I would get lost in the beauty that surrounded me, and I would forget the important things, like eating.

  “Okay Marcus,” I called out.

  I opened the door and walked out into the cooler air. The walls were stark. Nothing decorated them but the peach paint I adorned them with. My bedroom, living room, and kitchen were all brick, just like the outside. All of the other walls were peach. The brick wall was a continues thing throughout my bedroom and living room, only separated by a sheet of drywall.

  The kitchen had a bar separating it from the living room giving it an open concept style. The dark butcher block counter top and light covered cabinets were a stunning combination. The beautiful wood floors were a lighter shade than my cabinets. They were just pure wood with a clear gloss coating it. Sighing, I looked at the bare walls again. I was so busy looking for art to share that I never thought of decorating my own walls.

  I was doing everything I could to distract myself. I was trying to pretend that I didn’t remember tonight was his night off. That meant Marcus would be out there with another woman. She would get to experience all the things I dreamt about.

  “Do I need to remind Slade to feed you dinner?” He asked.

  And, there was my reminder. I hated whoever she was.

  “I’ll be fine.” I tried to sound upbeat, but all I did was growl the words like an animal.

  “Willow?” Marcus asked.

  “I’m fine, Marcus,” I replied quietly.

  “The fuck you are. This happens every time. Is Slade…” he snapped.

  “No. Slade’s fine. I’m fine. Everyone is fine,” I told him quickly.

  I couldn’t and wouldn’t tell him about Slade. The stupid man fell for it. He nodded his head and proceeded to make me a sandwich. It felt childish when he took care of me like this. Just moments ago, I would have thought it romantic. Foolish Willow, he will never see you as anything but an annoying job.

  Chapter 3

  Marcus

  I watched as she took a drag from her cigarette. A sensual smile teased her lips as she looked at me.

  One night, that’s it. It was the extent of what this equal’s out to be. Good, old-fashioned fucking. Brown eyes and luscious tanned skin flashed behind my eyes.

  Long brown hair pulled into a bun, and a sweet smile spread across her lips as she playfully threw a pillow at my head.

  Willow. It was always her. I tried to steer clear of the brunettes, sticking to blonds and redheads. This one was a strawberry blond, an exotic mix.

  But Lora here wasn’t Willow.

  “I think I’m ready to head back to my place,” Lora purred.

  My phone dinged, interrupting my response. I slipped my hand into the pocket of my dark, blue jeans, and pulled out my cell phone and frowned. It was a text message.

  “She’s pissing me off. How the fuck do you deal with this shit?” Slade asked.

  Growling, I looked up at Lora. Yeah, I wasn’t getting any tonight.

  I looked back at my phone I typed. “I’m on my way.”

  Lora sighed, she felt the shift. She knew this night wasn’t ending the way she wanted.

  “Who is she?” Lora asked.

  I looked up at the strawberry blond and saw the jealousy etched on her face. It forced my protective instincts to the surface, even more than Slade’s bullshit did.

  “This was about fucking. Don’t mistake it for anything else, sweetheart,” I growled.

  Her eyes widened as I lashed out at her in frustration and anger. Did I feel bad? Fuck, no. She wasn’t my girlfriend. Shit, she wasn’t my anything. She was nothing but a good time.

  I stood and dropped a few twenties on the table. More than our tab by at least fifty dollars. Smiling I looked into her eyes.

  “Feel free to stay and have a few drinks on me,” I told her darkly. She’ll find someone else to take her home. Whatever interest she stirred in me was now gone.

  I looked around the upscale bar with its new age pop music, black leather covered bar stools, high tables, and well-dressed waitresses. Willow needed me, and Slade needed a punch in the face for being a dick.

  Chapter 4

  Willow

  The sunset was beautiful and begged to be captured forever. I turned and glared at Slade. His long muscular frame, blond slightly shaggy hair and his green eyes gave him a pretty boy look. Most woman would swoon over him, but all I could see was his ugliness below the surface.

  “I’m not difficult. This is my livelihood, Slade,” I told him quietly. All I wanted to do was scream it at him.


  “Don’t lie princess. Daddy pays for everything,” Slade told me coldly.

  The bastard had no clue what he was talking about.

  “Don’t call me that! My father pays for nothing. I work my ass off to pay my bills,” I spat at him.

  “Sure, princess, keep telling the yourself that, but blood paid for this life of yours,” He told me darkly.

  Tears filled my eyes at how cruel he was being. I have done nothing to him. I didn’t ask him to come watch me, and yet, I was taking the brunt of his anger.

  “I’m sorry you got stuck with me, but please stop calling me that,” I asked him quietly.

  Neither of us heard the door open. Marcus practically lived here, so he had a key to come and go.

  “Listen here, princess. I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want. As for leaving you to dabble with this bullshit photography, it isn’t going to happen. I was sent here to watch your spoiled ass, and nobody said I had to take you out,” he told me in a cold, dark voice.

  I felt the cold from his words literally dance over my skin. I did nothing to deserve this kind of treatment. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I wanted to call my father, beg Marcus to come back, and I hated my weakness for those things.

  I watched as Slade’s head turned quickly, and he stumbled. It happened so quickly, I didn’t understand until I caught a glimpse of Marcus’s dark, angry face.

  “Don’t fucking talk to her like that, you piece of shit.” Marcus spat the words as Slade tried to balance himself.

  “You don’t fucking belong in this family, Marcus,” Slade shouted.

  He was right. Marcus was a Valisk. My father brought him in as a trade. Lark Carter and Ivan Valisk traded sons as a way to teach them new things.

  My father had trained Marcus, and Ivan was training Tripp, my older brother. It was something about different styles and stuff like that. Something I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand.

  Slade was out of line, in more ways than one.

  “Are you questioning Lark, Slade?” Marcus asked him coldly.

  I watched as Slade swallowed. He tried to hide his fear. But I could see it, and so could Marcus.

  “No, I’m questioning why you’re here watching one of the prized females,” Slade responded.

  He was talking like I was some animal. Anger and embarrassment had my cheeks turning red.

  “Don’t fucking talk about her like that,” Marcus’s tone turned deadly.

  I’ve never heard him speak that way before and something dark in me awoke. It crawled and begged to be let free.

  “What, you think you can have her?” Slade laughed.

  “I suggest you get the fuck out before I beat the fucking shit out of you,” Marcus told him coldly.

  His tone held a note of truth, and for a moment I thought he might kill Slade. I watched in disgust as Slade’s green eyes roamed over my body.

  “Maybe I’ll keep her,” Slade announced.

  Marcus took a step closer to him. His voice darkened, and he threatened, “I’ll put a bullet between your eyes first.”

  Slade glared at Marcus, then he turned and left. I felt nothing but relief as he walked out the door, slamming it closed behind him.

  Tears filled my eyes. I bit my lip and forced the tears back. I won’t show weakness. Not to Marcus, or anyone.

  “What a prick,” Marcus growled.

  “I’m sorry your night was cut short,” I couldn’t help saying the words, even though I felt nothing but relief. He was here and not just because of Slade.

  “Don’t worry about it. Next time fucking call me,” he told me quietly as if he were afraid I might break.

  “He won’t be coming back,” I told him.

  “No Willow, he won’t. I’m calling Lark,” he replied.

  I nodded because as much as I don’t want Slade to die, my father needed to know, so he never came back.

  “Thank you,” I whispered to him.

  “Let me make you some dinner,” he said.

  Always looking out for me. Always the gentleman even if I wanted him to rip my clothes off and remove my underwear with his teeth like they do in those smutty books I secretly hide under my mattress.

  Chapter 5

  Marcus

  I watched as the setting sun shined on her dark hair. I loved watching her move all graceful and shy. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her.

  Leaning against the dark butcher block counter, I watched as she took a bite of the lemon herb chicken I just cooked her.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Willow asked in a gentle tone.

  “No,” I replied.

  “I’m really sorry about tonight,” her voice held a note of sadness, and I wanted to believe it was because I was out with someone else. I was a fucking fool. I knew better than to think those thoughts.

  “Don’t worry about it. Honestly, it wasn’t that important,” I told her.

  Her cheeks pinkened a little, and I smiled. She knew what I meant.

  “I just wanted to capture the sunset,” her voice was tinged with regret.

  “I’ll take you tomorrow night,” I informed her.

  “Want to watch a movie?” Her voice sounded hopeful.

  “What’s our options?” I asked her.

  She looked up at me. Her eyes looked pleased that I wanted to spend time with her. That look tore through me in ways the most seductive woman couldn’t pull off.

  “Jumanji?” Her voice was hesitant.

  “Sounds good. Finish your dinner, Willow,” my voice was firm at the end. She needed to eat, and I wasn’t going to question why taking care of her was so important.

  “I wish you were here every night,” she whispered to herself.

  I didn’t say anything. The things I dreamt about doing to her would send her running for the hills. The worst part of it all, I didn’t belong here, and one day I would leave.

  The reminder was like an ice bath. Making my feelings known to Willow would be a mistake. One with serious repercussions. I watched in fascination as she ran her right hand through her long dark hair. The strands bounced off her shoulders.

  “Are you going to call my father?” Her voice held a hint of regret.

  “Yes,” I told her.

  I fought to keep calm as I remembered my confrontation with Slade.

  “He’ll kill him,” she said sadly.

  Willow has always been too sweet for her own good. Something that reminded me of my mom. Living in this life hardened you, but for some reason, those two seemed unscathed by it all.

  “Nothing you need to worry about Willow,” my voice was calm even though I wanted nothing more than to hunt the bastard down and put a few new holes in him.

  Walking over to her, leaned down and pressed my lips to her forehead. Her sigh reached my ears sending a jolt of desire to my cock.

  “It will all be okay,” I told her before pulling back and walking from the room. Why the fuck did I do that? Because you’re a dumb shit, I told myself.

  Chapter 6

  Marcus

  Placing the black iPhone six plus to my ear, I listened as it rang. I paced outside Willows front door and scanned the area. The industrial style building only had one occupant, and that was Willow.

  I steadied my mind and fought to keep the thought of Slade’s lifeless body out of my mind. The image of me choking the life from him was running rampant throughout my mind.

  I could feel his skin as it pressed against my hand. His fingers would try to grab onto my wrist in an attempt to pull it off his bruising and slowly closing throat.

  The blood vessels in his eyes would burst, turning the edge of his eyes red. The need to gasp for air would have his body shaking slightly and his lips turning blue. His cheeks would be a beautiful shade of red.

  His last moment would flash in his green eyes as the life slowly left him. I wouldn’t let up until he sagged, and I felt the warmth slowly drain from his body. Just a slight change in temperature.

 
“Marcus,” Lark’s dark voice drew me from my thoughts.

  “Lark, Slade won’t be watching Willow anymore. I take full responsibility.” Why the fuck did I just tell him I was going full time? That shit was a bad fucking idea.

  “Why,” his voice was darkly amused.

  “Because he’s a bastard,” I told him coldly.

  He was quiet. I expected him to ask why I thought that way, but instead he gave me a reminder.

  “Keep your shit to yourself,” he growled the words.

  He didn’t wait for confirmation on my part. He just ended the call, leaving me to stew in my anger.

  Walking back into the house I started cooking the lemon herb chicken and roasted potatoes. Mom taught me to cook. She always told me that she didn’t want me to live off junk food and freezer meals.

  There were times like this that I truly appreciated those lessons. I enjoyed cooking, it relaxed me. It took all the anger that I had for Slade, the desire to cut the fuckers throat and watch him bleed, into creating something worthwhile.

  Taking care of Willow was something that I felt the need to do. I didn’t question it, I didn’t look too deeply into my feelings. Focusing on the task at hand, I chopped the potatoes before tossing them in olive oil. The oven was preheating, and the skillet was warming.

  Chapter 7

  Willow

  Closing my eyes, I ran my fingers gently over my forehead. It still tingled where his lips touched my skin. Heat suffused me.

  He felt it too. This connection between us felt like something was dragging us together. Whenever he was away, I felt cold and empty like a piece was missing. Although, when he was here, I felt warm and whole.

  We were watching the movie, and he was an arm’s length away. I was watching it, but I wasn’t really seeing what was happening.

  All I could think about was him. How soft his lips were and how it felt to feel them pressed against my skin. I wanted to scoot closer to him and snuggle deep into his side.

  I wanted to ask him what my father said. I thought about telling Marcus that Slade was cruel every time he left. Although, the guilt I saw on his face when Slade was gone kept me quiet.