The corners of Marco’s mouth curved again. “What do you like about them?”
“What?” I was acting like a total idiot who couldn’t carry a conversation, but this entire line of questioning was baffling. Why would Marco care about my interest in unicorns, of all things?
“You heard me.” His voice came out in a rich, deep tone I’d never heard from him before. It was much warmer than anything he’d ever said, but somehow more…powerful.
“Well, they’re beautiful.” The words tumbled out of my mouth. “And, I don’t know, magical. I just like the idea of them. I guess it’s a nostalgia thing.”
A single dark brow rose, prompting me to elaborate. “A nostalgia thing?”
That commanding tone did something to my insides. Tendrils of warmth unfurled in my chest, and my explanation of my silly password became an effusive confession of my lifelong obsession with all things whimsical and beautiful. “I used to love the movie The Last Unicorn growing up. I’d watch it all the time. I had every unicorn-themed Lisa Frank folder when I was in elementary school. And I was obsessed with Rainbow Brite because of Starlite. But Starlite isn’t actually a unicorn. He’s still magical, though.”
I pressed my lips together, smothering my ridiculous babbling. It wasn’t uncommon for me to talk enthusiastically about the things I loved if I was around people I trusted. But even Jayme didn’t know the extent of my unicorn craze.
Marco’s onyx eyes flicked from my pursed lips to my flame-red cheeks, and a bright grin suddenly illuminated his rough-hewn features.
I blinked, dumbstruck.
Marco was grinning. Actually grinning. And it wasn’t the scary, sharply amused smile I’d seen him wear before. This was a genuine smile, and it reached his eyes. They crinkled at the corners, and dark-chocolate warmth melted the hard, cold light that usually reflected off them.
I’d never appreciated how ruggedly handsome Marco was. I’d been fully aware of his masculine physique, and I’d picked each of his harsh features apart in moments of fear. But when he smiled like this, he didn’t seem all that frightening. He was magnetic, compelling.
“I need the bathroom,” I said suddenly, almost surprising myself. Sitting so close to Marco was too… Well, I didn’t exactly feel uncomfortable around him right now. It was more…intense. Sitting close to Marco was intense.
“We’ll be right here, angel,” Joseph said, squeezing my hand one last time before releasing it.
I popped up out of my chair and hurried to the bathroom. Embarrassingly, I ended up getting a little lost looking for it. The brunette who’d showed us to our table directed me from the front of the restaurant back toward the kitchen. The ladies’ room was down a long hall to the left. Luckily, it was far out of sight from Joseph and Marco, so they hadn’t seen me wandering around like an idiot. I’d already made enough of a fool of myself, talking to Marco about unicorns.
And what the hell had all that been about? Why would Marco care about me liking unicorns? It was a silly, childish thing, and I was a little embarrassed by it. There was a reason I’d chosen it for my password: passwords are secret.
Even though I hadn’t particularly needed to go, I used the facilities and washed my hands. When I’d dried them, I lingered in front of the mirror for a minute longer, willing the pink blush to subside from my cheeks. My body was hot, flushed. It was cold outside, but I’d been far too overheated when surrounded by Joseph’s and Marco’s bulk.
Ice water, I told myself. I need ice water.
I unlocked the bathroom door and took a few more seconds to smooth my hair back from my face. I heaved in a deep breath, bracing myself to return to the table.
I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to brace myself. Joseph was there, waiting for me. He would make sure I was safe and happy.
The bathroom door swung open, and I jolted.
“Occupied,” I said, but the lady didn’t seem to care.
No. It wasn’t a lady.
A man stepped into the small, tiled space. He was almost as tall as Joseph, even if he wasn’t as broad. He looked leaner. Scrappier. Meaner.
His lips were curled in a sneer, and a wicked scar on his right cheek puckered from his twisted expression.
“This is the ladies’ room,” I said, trying not to stare at his scar.
He shut the door behind him. Locked it.
“I wanted to talk to you, Ashlyn.” He took a step toward me.
I jolted back, and my butt hit the wall. The space was too small, and the man was too close.
Before I could open my mouth to scream for Joseph, the man pulled aside his leather jacket to reveal a gun holstered at his side. He pressed his finger against his lips as he shushed me.
“What do you want?” I whispered, not daring to raise my voice any louder. “How do you know my name?”
“I know a lot of things about you.” He took another step toward me, but there was nowhere for me to go, nowhere to run. “Not as much as Joseph knows about you, judging by the pictures my friends took.” He reached up and brushed his knuckles down my cheek.
I turned my face away, but he didn’t break contact. My heart hammered against my ribs, fear coursing through my veins. It was just as toxic as it had been the night Marco kidnapped me. Only, this man wasn’t reassuring me that he would take me to Joseph and keep me safe.
He traced the line of my jaw before picking up a lock of my hair. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled deeply. I shuddered, feeling more violated than I had when he’d touched my face.
“You’re very pretty,” he told me. “I can see why Joseph likes you. I’m sure he’d be heartbroken if anything happened to you.”
A soft knock sounded against the door. “Ashlyn?”
“Joseph!” I gasped out his name, too breathless to scream for him.
A loud bang echoed through the bathroom as the door flew open, the wood splintering around the broken lock. Joseph slammed into the man who’d been threatening me, his momentum taking them both to the floor.
I shrieked when strong arms grabbed me.
“It’s me,” Marco said. “I’ve got you.”
He picked me up, cradling me against his chest as he turned me away from the violence. Joseph brought his fist down on the man’s nose. I saw blood spray, and I hid my face against Marco’s neck.
“Don’t kill him, Joseph,” Marco warned as he carried me away. “We can’t draw first blood.”
Marco rushed through the restaurant. His big body shielded mine as he held me close, his huge arms protecting me. Several patrons exclaimed and a few stood to gawk, but Marco didn’t seem to care. He was completely focused on getting me away from the man who’d scared me.
“Wait!” I twisted in his arms when cool night air kissed my skin. “Joseph.” We couldn’t leave him behind. “That man had a gun.” My panic spiked, and I squirmed against Marco’s hold.
“He won’t use it,” Marco promised me. “They were just trying to send a message. Joseph will be fine.”
“You can’t know that!” I continued struggling, but his arms were iron around me.
“He’s already behind us.”
I listened, registering heavy footfalls racing toward us. I craned my head back to look over Marco’s shoulder.