A Hidden Danger

It Will Happen

Marco

"Data showed up at the clubhouse all worked up. After accusing Macy like we planned, he got pulled into the office with the prez and the vice prez. I don't know what was said because the room is soundproof. When they come out, Data looked like someone shot his dog!" Clutch laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world.

"So what makes you think I care about that?" I asked.

Clutch had gotten on my nerves over the last few days. He got his money, but he wanted to ensure that nothing was coming back to him. Macy had somewhat taken the fall for the crime and he wanted to keep it that way. I could not have cared less about what the situation was with his club. As long as they stayed out of my way, I was happy.

"You should care because after they came out, it was announced that we were doing anything to get Autumn back. Data had given up saying it was too much work and wasn't worth the risk. That means you won't have to worry about anyone coming after your wife." He said, smirking at me.

He was right. That was something I cared about. For the first time in a while, I smiled. Knowing that I could take that information and break Marigold's defiance just a bit was fantastic. Marigold had been careful to not push me too far with her defiance. But her interactions with me still weren't what I wanted them to be.

"Rico, give Clutch another five million. He's done an exceptional job. Now I believe I need to leave and go see my wife."

****

I walked into the house and found Marigold in the kitchen. She was cooking. The scene was something I had missed while she was gone. The longer she was back the more I realized that there were lots of things that I had taken for granted and had overlooked. I had refused to hire a chef while she was gone. Nothing that anyone made seemed to be as good as the food that she made. Having her back was proving to be the thing that was making me happy for the first time that I could remember.

Marigold

I could sense him as he walked in behind me. I had to fight my body because all I wanted to do was squirm away from him. The thoughts of his touch made me physically ill. Each night I lay in bed with his arms wrapped around me. I was totally disgusted with myself. Why couldn't I fight back? Why did I not run that night in the clinic? All the questions that ran through my mind had one answer, the baby.

it had only been a couple of days since I was taken and yet it felt like a lifetime. I rested a hand on my stomach and felt the round form that had started to really show. I had lost count of where I was in my pregnancy, and it made me feel like the worst mother ever. I had been doing everything I could to keep the baby safe and yet missing out on so much because of my fear.

Arms wrapped around my waist, and I closed my eyes and willed myself to stay still. He pressed his nose into my hair and inhaled my scent. Where was this man all those days we were together? He had told me that my leaving had made him understand how he really felt about me. I thought it was more like he became obsessed because I was the first to reject him in some way.

"How are you my little flower? Did you have a nice day?" He asked as he started kissing my neck as he asked.

"It was good. Marco, I need to get a checkup with a doctor. I can't remember how far along I am and I was hoping to find out what the sex is." I said, trying to change the subject.

"I'll have a doctor come in and we can take care of that." He turned me in his arms and pulled me away from the stove. "I have some news for you little flower. It seems the biker has given up on you. Word is it's too much trouble."

The sound that comes from me is something between a sob and a strangled scream. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Austin wouldn't give up on me. I just knew he wouldn't. But somewhere in my mind I doubted him. Tears filled my eyes and as I looked at Marco, I felt a sense of hopelessness. Why would he do that? What could have made my sweet Austin give up on me?

"Little flower I know this is hard for you. You thought you were in love with the dirty little biker. But I promise you that in time it will all seem like a bad dream. Once our baby gets here and you have gone through your retraining, everything will be perfect. You'll love me and I'll make you happy. I promise." Marco said, pulling me into a hug.

I let the tears fall at that. I felt the doubt wanting to take over, but somewhere in my heart there was still an ember of hope. In that small place, I knew that he wouldn't give up. Maybe it was a ploy to make Marco drop his guard? My thoughts kept going in that direction until I heard Marco's phone ring.

"Yes." Marco answered gruffly.

"What do you mean the shipment is missing? Were you and your men not supposed to be watching it?" He yelled.

I tensed as I felt his hand tighten around me to the point I was sure it was going to leave a bruise.

"You fucking idiot! I'll be right there!"

I pulled back and looked up into his face. Marco was a shade of red that I didn't think was possible. Anger was rolling off him and it made me shrink into myself more. I went to move myself further away, and he pulled me quickly into a kiss. I tried to push him away, but there was no getting away from him. I tried to fight him off, but he just pulled me closer and somehow worked his way into my mouth with his tongue. When he finished, he pulled back, and all I wanted to do was slap him.

"When I get back, I expect you to be in our bed naked. I'm going to need to work off my anger and you are going to help me with that. And don't bother trying to avoid this. It will happen Marigold."

He kissed my forehead and headed out of the kitchen. Once he was out of the house, I sunk to the floor crying. What could I do other than obey him? I would be betraying Austin. Would he understand that when he learned about what I was forced to do? Was there something I could do to prevent it from happening?

I finished cooking and then forced some of the food down. I watched the clock for the rest of the night. Just before going to sleep, I snuck a kitchen knife into the bedroom with me. I placed it under the pillow and lay in the bed. I didn't undress, and I wasn't planning to do what Marco asked. I couldn't bring myself to cheat on Austin. Even if what Marco said was true, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I gave into Marco. I had to just wait and pray for strength.