DANCE WITH THE ENEMY

CHAPTER FOUR

ZARIYAH

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my eyes fixed on the scenery outside.

Marco's gaze lingered on me for a moment before returning to the road. "Because you're unique."

I snickered. "Is that a nice way of saying I'm helpless? That you pity me?" The mockery in my tone was unmistakable.

Marco chuckled, his eyes back on the road. "I have no time for pity. My line of business doesn't allow that luxury, sweetheart."

"You're smart, fierce, strong, relentless. Look at me." His authoritative tone commanded my attention.

Our gazes met, his hard eyes holding mine.

"That fire in your eyes—it's seen enough to extinguish, but it's burning brighter than ever. That's the heart of a fighter, the heart of a soldier. I want to see you fearlessly fight back against your demons, emerge victorious."

"Your father's a good man. I know he didn't do those things they're accusing him of." He added.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"Because I've seen many people get the justice they deserve because of him. He's one of the few who doesn't compromise on right and wrong."

"What business do you do?" I pressed.

Marco smirked. "I'm not sure you're ready to know that, sweetheart."

"Tell me," I demanded.

He glanced at me, his gaze holding mine for a second. "You've heard of the Mafia?"

"Drugs, weapons, money laundering, trafficking, killing..." I trailed off.

Marco asked, "Does that scare you, princess?"

"Do you murder monsters too?" I countered.

"That's my specialty," he replied.

"If I get to kill the monsters who wiped out my family and legacy, I'm in."

Marco nodded. "You've got to show me what you've got. Sound good?"

"Sounds good." I nodded for emphasis.

As we approached his mansion, Marco asked, "Care to grab a pizza with me?" His earlier smile still lingered.

"I wouldn't mind."

We stopped at Domino's Pizza and ordered a large pizza barbeque pizza that we share on our drive back.

As we arrived, he walked me to my room, lingering to keep me company while I got ready for bed.

Before sleeping, I took my meds and downed a glass of water.

"Goodnight, princess," Marco whispered, placing a warm kiss on my forehead.

The Next Morning

I woke up at dawn, ready to start my new life. After a quick shower, I changed into yoga pants and a sports bra, pulled on sneakers, and tied my wild hair into a bun. Marco stood by my door, his presence unexpected.

"You've been here for long," I queried.

"Nah, I came to get you," Marco replied, taking my hand. "I want to show you around. Are you excited about starting your training?"

"I'm more excited about putting a bullet in a psycho's head," I corrected, earning a deep, rumbling chuckle from Marco.

"That'll take time, Princess," Marco said, his eyes crinkling. "But I promise I'll make it happen, because anything for you."

His kindness melted my heart, but I pushed on.

"Anything?" I asked, seeking clarification.

"All you have to do is ask me," Marco replied, his voice low and soothing. He leaned in, dropping a kiss on my cheek.

My face flushed with warmth as we descended the stairs. We turned into a hallway and headed down another set of stairs, opening up to a spacious fighting house.

The room was filled with gym equipment, a boxing ring, and a shooting range. Half-naked men were scattered around, engaged in various activities.

"This is the main training room," Marco explained, scanning the space.

"Are they all your men?" I inquired.

Marco smirked proudly. "This is just a quarter of them, Princess."

As we walked through the room, Marco's men acknowledged him with "Boss..." while I nodded in response.

We entered a private training room, smaller than the main one.

"This is where you'll train," Marco said. "It's my personal space, so rest assured no one else will come in here without my approval."

Marco introduced me to Jack, his right-hand man and my trainer.

"Careful with her, Jack," Marco warned, his voice taking a darker tone.

After Marco left, Jack barked orders.

"Five minutes to warm up, then ten laps. No breaks! You stop without my consent, you'll start over."

I began jogging around the perimeter of the boxing ring.

"Make it twenty laps, and faster! You're not a snail!" Jack yelled.

"Thirty laps! Move up!"

"Ten squats, now!"

I requested, "Please, a sip of water."

Jack snarled, "Get down and do as I say, no questions. If you want to be the boss's bitch, you have to work for it. Show that you're worth it."

I ignored his rude comments and continued.

Two weeks passed, and I remained on the same routine.

"I said twenty more laps!" Jack shouted.

"I'm tired of this same routine for two weeks," I retorted, frustration boiling over. "We haven't done anything related to combat."

Jack's fierce eyes shot daggers at me.

I walked past him, heading to Marco's office, while he trailed behind, yelling for me to stop.

"Marco!" I called out.

"It's 'Boss' for you, bitch!" Jack yelled back.

Marco intervened, calling me to his office.

"Everything okay, Princess?" Marco asked.

"I've been on the same routine for two weeks," I explained. "No defense or attack strategies."

Marco's gaze softened.

"He's following my instructions," Marco said.

"You're giving this bitch too much leverage, Boss," Jack whined.

Marco snapped, "Call her that again, and you'll be having the rest of that conversation with my fist."

"Why?" I pressed.

"Because it's what you need," Marco replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity and frustration mixing.

"Because you're pregnant," Marco revealed.

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I staggered back, my head spinning.

Bile rose to my mouth, and I vomited on Marco's expensive carpet.

"Get the cleaner!" Marco ordered Jack.

Marco turned to me, concern etched on his face.

"Princess, you're alright?"

"Don't touch me!" I shoved him back, anger coursing through my veins.

"You knew all this time and kept it from me? How dare you!"

Marco protested, "It's not what you think, Zariyah."

"I don't want to see you," I spat, venom in my tone. "If I do, I'll strangle you with my bare hands."

I spun on my feet and stormed out.