This Is Where I Want To Be

29. Hierarchy Established Pt 1

Louis

"I don't think we know each other," Marcus said, scrutinizing my every move.

"No. Haven't had the pleasure... I'm European... French. Don't think we walk in the same circles," I moved closer and stretched out my hand to him, "Louis Du Pont. Nice to meet you," he shook it. I didn't think he would.

"Marcus Ahmed. I'm thrilled to see you here," he seemed so genuine. "I think we're in closer circles than you might think... In more ways than one?"

His insinuation wasn't lost on me... Juliet was the reason we would see a lot of each other if his plans played out. He continued, "My mother was British. And my father... Well, you know who my father is. If you know who I am," he pointed at the ground and my crushed phone... "I'm not the dramatic type... there was no need for that."

I scoffed, "Have you changed in the last few years, Marcus?" His eyes snapped up from where he was examining the remains, "From what I've heard... You love the dramatics."

The corners of his eyes crinkled, "So, she thinks about me." The smile on his face was true to his thoughts. He was pleased... I wanted to kill him. Right there and then, but I was somewhat outnumbered. Jacklin wanted to get rid of Juliet by letting Marcus find her... She didn't consider that I would probably die before letting that happen. Rodrigo came to mind, and that Marcus was after two prizes. Mr. Tailored was gone before the elevator doors had opened; he smelled him, whereas I heard him. I should have made for the stairs—put up a chase. I sighed; stupid Louis! Sita will be well on her way... If the bag got to her. And if she got in the car and left. I was praying that one thing that night would work out, "You're looking for two lost sheep tonight? Strange that they keep running away from you... After so long... don't you think you should give up?"

He stepped closer, right into my face, "Jacklin called you the boyfriend." Marcus's eyes drifted down my person and back up, "I can't see it... You haven't made it official, have you?" He scoffed and slowly bent down on his haunches, sifting through the rubble. He swiped some of the debris around and slowly came up again. Marcus held out a flat hand with the little card lying there unscathed. I cursed the thing but picked it up. Hopefully, Juliet's card wasn't in one of the mutts' phones or worse, in Chris's.

"If you think you're getting a virgin bride back. I would turn around right now," I thought he would freak out, and was testing him. His thoughts stayed legit. It didn't make sense, and Marcus's mouth actually quirked up to one side. The most gigantic-infected vampire I had ever seen came over and held out a phone. "And I kinda feel like making it official should be consensual and not forced," his eyes hardened at my words—weird what got the guy's attention. "I also know that making it official has everything to do with... winning her heart first," I tapped his chest where his heart was supposed to be.

He smiled. I didn't think he could. "You don't know why I played it so wrong. Humph," he threw his hands in the air. "If I can go back. I wouldn't change a thing." That made my blood boil. "But for all intents and purposes... She's mine." Those words hurt me because I knew how Juliet feared him. And Marcus didn't know Chris, and I fought about that exact same thing a few weeks ago—I laughed lightly.

"What?" He asked.

"It's just funny that you think she's yours at all. Do you know Juliet?" I sighed, "I made the mistake only once. You did as well. Don't you think we should at least attempt to keep it at one? Let this go... hm."

Marcus gestured two fingers in the air. The big guy pushed the phone into my face. I stared at it too long, and he growled at me to put the card into the phone. Reluctantly, I did what I was told and handed the phone to Mr. Big Guy—I had to stay true to the naming of the infected.