Page 9 of Toxic Devotion

His boss had sent him overseas for two months. The job itself hadn’t been hard, but he’d had a lot of time to just sit and think. And think he’d done. Of Marco. Of how much the man made him feel in such a short amount of time. It shouldn’t have been possible. He’d been guarded his whole life but especially after joining the Agency. How the mafioso had wormed his way past his defenses he didn’t know. He’d wanted to find out but just seeing the man had sent his heart into overdrive and he knew he had to stay away, or he might lose himself. He might lose everything.

He pulled out his keycard and swiped it in the lock, waiting for the light to turn green before pushing down the handle. He stepped into his hotel room and flipped the light switch. Even as exhausted as he was, his instincts never shut off. A small burst of air had him pulling out his gun. He hadn’t left a window open.

He slowly moved further into the room and came to a sharp halt, his heart skipping a beat. Marco was standing in the open balcony door, a glass of red wine in hand. Expensive wine if he’d poured from the bottle he’d left on the coffee table.

“Marco.”

The man didn’t turn around, he just took a sip of his wine.

“I figured I should know why you were watching me earlier,” Marco said.

Neil cursed under his breath and slid his gun back into his hip holster.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said and walked closer.

Marco turned his head, gaze burning as he looked at Neil. “Funny. I was going to say the same to you.”

His heart was beating fast in his chest, but he did his best not to let it show. He wasn’t so sure he was successful, though.

“How did you know where to find me?”

Marco’s lips creased at one corner. “You signed in under Mr. Gray.”

His heart skipped a beat. Fuck. He had. He’d let his sentimental side take over for a moment and he’d fucked up. Using that name was incredibly stupid but, then again, it seemed he was incredibly stupid where Marco was concerned.

He wasn’t the type to throw caution to the wind. That would only get you killed in his line of work, but it seemed he had no control when it came to Marco.

He stalked across the room, hands cupping Marco’s face the second he got close enough to touch. He stared into dark eyes for a thrilling heartbeat, and then he brought their lips together. He pushed Marco against the wall next to the balcony door, tongue slipping past his lips. He could taste the wine on Marco’s tongue, feel the desperate need in the man’s rough touch.

He heard the wine glass shatter on the floor, and he couldn’t care less. He dug his fingers into Marco’s waist, tugging him against his body. He’d never been kissed the way Marco kissed him. With so much passion and possessiveness. With so much control.

“What we’re doing,” he said, pulling back to run his gaze over Marco’s face, “It’s stupid and dangerous.”

Marco smirked at him and cocked his head to the side. “I didn’t take you for a coward?”

He shook his head, a smile playing on his lips as he reached for the man he should stay away from.

“No. I’m just an idiot.”

Chapter Three

Neil

HE LOOKED up at the words adorning the façade of the restaurant, the name making his heart flutter, and then he lowered his gaze to the door. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t go in. Every time he saw Marco, he put him in danger. It wasn’t just him being a CIA officer, it was the fact that he was a man. The mafia wasn’t exactly known for its inclusivity. Marco’s enemies would surely use it against him, too. He should turn around and walk away but a part of him wanted to stay. Desperately.

There was still someone out to kill him and he hadn’t the first clue as to who so he couldn’t do much to keep himself or anyone else safe from it. He couldn’t guarantee that Marco and his family were safe as long as he kept seeing him.

“If you’re worried about the menu, I can guarantee that there’s something you’ll like.”

While he’d known someone was walking toward him, he was surprised to find Marco’s sister standing next to him, a warm smile on her lips. Her black hair was up in a messy bun, and she was wearing a T-shirt and blue jeans, very unlike the usual floral dresses he saw her in.

“In fact, if you have a meal and you still don’t like it, I’ll put it on the house,” she said, eyes twinkling as she grinned at him.

“I know the food is good,” he said, turning fully to meet her gaze.

Her brows lowered and she gave him a confused look.

“What’s keeping you out here, then?”