Take Me Back to the Light

3‧♡⋆˚

Melanie

They know. They have to know. The moment I leave with Marco, I catch a glimpse of Harry's eyes widening, a flash of realization that sends a shiver down my spine. There is something in that look—something that tells me I am fucked.

Leigh-Anne and Matteo have already called our man for the limousine, and Marco is holding me close, his arm wrapped protectively around my waist. "Just everyone keep calm. They are watching," he whispers urgently.

Matteo's voice cuts through the anxiety as he keeps Leigh-Anne close. "You girls will get into the limousine, and Marco and I will stay. We need to gather information—if they're in contact with Carolina now." His tone is serious, his gaze darting around as he scans the area.

I feel a mix of dread and defiance, an electric charge pulsing beneath my skin. I want to scream that I don't want to hide, that I am tired of being protected like I am some delicate flower. Just then, a voice rings out, cutting through the noise of the club. "Hey! Look at these fancy treats! Want to try one?" The strong Irish accent is unmistakable.

"It's Niall, he's one of them," Marco says, his grip tightening on my waist as his body shifts slightly, placing himself between me and the entrance.

I glance over my shoulder, curiosity piquing as I watch Niall approach, balancing a plate piled high with mini desserts. He is animated, waving the plate like it is the Holy Grail, his carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the mounting tension around us.

"What is he doing?" I whisper, bewildered.

"He's distracting us. Stay close," Marco replies, his voice low but firm.

"Try one! I swear, they're amazing!" Niall calls out, his enthusiasm almost infectious.

"He looks a little dumb," I whisper to Marco, my lips curling into a smirk as I watch Niall.

"Change of plan. I'll go back inside with him, and you take care of Harry and the others," I suggest, my heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and mischief.

"No, are you fucking crazy?" Marco says, his eyes widening. "Melanie, stop!" Marco's voice is sharp, nearly panicked, as his fingers graze my wrist but fail to grip it. "You can't—damn it, Melanie, he's bait!" But I slip away from his grasp, a bright smile plastered on my face. What could a cute blonde man with desserts do to me, right?

I flash him a reassuring, reckless smile over my shoulder. "Bait or dessert? Guess we'll find out."

Marco curses under his breath, his body tense, his protective instinct palpable. I know he's itching to drag me back, but he doesn't want to cause a scene. Not yet.

"I'll try one! What do you have there?" I call out to Niall, who looks momentarily surprised.

"Really? That was easy," he mumbles, clearly taken off guard, as he glances down at the desserts. "Try this chocolate cake, it's amazing." He hands me a spoon with an eager smile, but his hand twitches slightly, betraying his nerves.

I glance over my shoulder to see Marco, Leigh-Anne, and Matteo moving toward Harry and his crew. I try to stay focused on Niall, but my heart is still pounding in my chest, an instinctive wariness creeping back in.

"It's really good," I tell Niall, taking a bite of the cake, but I keep one eye on my people. I watch as Marco and Harry square off, tension crackling in the air. Guns are pulled, and my stomach twists with anxiety.

As Niall chatters on about the cakes, my attention snaps back to the unfolding chaos. I see Harry land a punch on Marco's face, and Marco fights back, but then another guy with dark hair yanks Marco away from Harry. I feel a jolt of panic as Harry's gaze locks onto me.