Loving Marianna Book Two

Chapter Seventy- Seven

Shang- Chi POV
Elevator music fills my ears after storming through the towers lobby, Bruce guiding me to the elevator leading up to their place, the music a contrast to my anxious anticipation, and determination, though offering a sense of calm before the expected storm. The closer we get to the top the more I feel a familiar and unwelcome burning feeling that replaced that wonderful tingle I felt seeing her for the first time.

All of a sudden that feeling starts fading and fading and I look to Clint first to see if he has any idea what's going on, but doesn't seem to notice anything is off until he notices my clear panic.

"What's wrong?" He questions resting a hand on my shoulder, concern flashing behind his eyes making me feel like an even bigger fool than I already have been since not accepting Marianna.

"The burning sensation is growing duller and duller for some reason, you don't think she's re-"

"She wouldn't break a soulmate bond herself, she'd let herself suffer forever before she rejected one of her mates." Clint cuts me off, making me relax slightly the elevator finally opening with a ding, confused faces entering the room, none of which belong to the one person I'm looking for.

Marianna POV 2 minutes ago
"Is it almost done? I'm staaarving." Matteo complains looking over Sams shoulder receiving a playful flick, poking his side back before plopping down into a barstool to wait for dinner to be done.

"It'll be done soon, good food takes time." He says looking back at Steve who purses his lips shaking his head.

"I'm not going to get into this with you again." Steve says still shaking his head a tinge of red creeping up his neck making me get up and place quick kisses on his cheek before a burning sensation pulls at my leg confusing me for a second until it clicks; Shang- Chis mark.

Steve immediately notices my shift and I instinctively do what I always do if I can't punch my problem-

Run.

But Steve catches my arm stopping me before I can take off.

"Shang- Chi is here." I say my heart beating so loudly I can hear it, my rationality flying out of the window trying to but not really using much strength to try and wiggle out of Steve's grip he let's go hearing what I say and next thing I know my feet are bringing me down the endless stairs of the tower and onto the busy sidewalks of New York.

Steve POV
"Well, it's not looking great for Shang- Chi." Sam chuckles shaking his head keeping his focus on the food.

"It's about to look worse." Wanda says getting up, everyone except for Sam and the kids who are helping him cook go to "greet" our guest.

Shang- Chi POV
"Hi, uh I'm Sha-"

"Oh, we KNOW who you are." Spider- Man interrupts me emphasizing know.

All of a sudden a brown haired woman who I'm not familiar with but who I believe to be the Wasp tries and fails to punch me in the face my reflexes easily moving me out of her erratic attacks.

A Dora Milaje steps in looking amused waving a hand as she drags the Wasp away.

"I'm sorry she's quite drunk." I hear here mumble before parting leaving me with now amused, but still pissed off husbands and wives.

"I guess that was deserved." I say sheepishly my hand moving to tug on the hairs at the bottom of my neck.

"I'd say that and more is well deserved." The Black Widow says tilting her head her eyebrow slightly quirking in irritation, I swallow hard and think about what I want to say next, thankfully Steve Rogers takes that burden off my shoulders.

"Marianna isn't here." He says simply not an inch of the warmth he projects to the world spared for me, not that I blame him, or any of them, they probably hate me almost as much as I hate myself for hurting Marianna.

"I felt her though..." I say instinctively reaching down to rest my hand over my mark.

"Works both ways buddy, she left when she felt you coming." Steve explains, even though it was fairly obvious.

"And before you ask none of us will tell you where she might've went, she doesn't want to see you then she doesn't want to see you." A blonde haired woman with a Russian accent says crossing her arms and glaring daggers at me.

"Alright guys let's ease up on him, none of us have been perfect, especially in regards to our relationships with Marianna." Clint speaks up clasping my shoulder in support.

Finally some backup.

"I just want a chance to fix what I did, or technically what I didn't do, and love Marianna the right way, the way she deserves." I say sincerely her mates seemingly accepting this, though not all suspicion/ disdain is gone. I suspect it'll be that way until I truly make it right and Marianna has forgiven me.

Now I just have to find her slippery siren ass.

Marianna POV
I know this isn't my best look, but it's the best I've got.

I don't have anything left in me to be rejected by Shang- Chi, just the thought makes me sick.

I knock on Eddie's door hoping to Poseidon he's home.

His excited, happy face warms my soul immediately almost making me forget why I'm here in the first place as I sink into his arms and breathe him in.

"Are you okay gorgeous? You look like you've seen a ghost." He asks still holding me as he pulls me into his apartment making space on the couch, pulling me into his lap.

I don't know if it's just my emotions being all over the place or my date from Erik left me feeling a bit.. needy or what but the way my ass is pressing against his crot-

"Marianna? Are you okay? You're starting to worry me now baby." I realize I haven't said anything to poor Eddie and chuckle as I press my lips to his full, perfect pink lips, pulling away with a small pop.

"I'm much better now." I say nuzzling into him, he doesn't press me further running his hands along anywhere he can reach, his lips soon following their lead.

Shit, no objections here.

Except for when things finally start to get hot and my damned phone starts ringing and I remember I have a family and responsibilities, though I'm sure everything is fine and this call is definitely about Shang- Chi, I'd never forgive myself if there was a problem and I wasn't there to fix it.

So like a fool I answer my phone, and of course it's about Shang- Chi.

But like an even bigger fool I hear that he wants to accept me and I ran away, leaving him to deal with my mates who I'm sure gave him a hard time.

Poseidon, I know how to fuck shit up.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." I say to Eddie who looks at me like I'm crazy, which I definitely deserve right now.

"I'm going to accept my final mate and be complete."