In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 54: Reunion

Marcello POV

He leaned against the cold wall of the auction's backstage area, his mask still on, the adrenaline of the evening thrumming through his veins. He felt a strange relief knowing the ordeal was almost over. Once this woman was in his custody, he could end this nightmare and figure out how to get her safely out of Morocco.

The murmur of the crowd and the sharp click of the auctioneer's gavel echoed faintly in the background. Marcello's sharp eyes scanned the area as the guards led a fragile figure toward him. The woman's thin frame, draped in a loose robe, was barely holding itself together.

'There she is', he thought, straightening as the guards brought her closer. 'Zara'.

He took a step forward, but then his blood ran cold.

Before he could say a word, she pulled something out from beneath her robe—a jagged shard of glass.

"No!" Marcello shouted, his voice drowned in the chaos of the room.

Zara slashed her wrist with one swift, desperate motion. Blood sprayed from the wound, crimson pooling on the marble floor.

Marcello's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling. He had prepared for many scenarios tonight—violence, betrayal, even a firefight—but not this.

The guards yelled in alarm, their hands darting to catch her as her legs gave way.

"Dio mio, fermati!" Marcello growled, rushing forward. (My God, stop!)

He reached her just as she collapsed, catching her frail body in his arms. Her head lolled to the side, her eyes fluttering shut as her blood seeped through his gloves.

"Matteo! Lorenzo!" Marcello roared, his voice slicing through the chaos. "Preparare la macchina! E chiamate il medico!" (Get the car ready! And call the medic!)

Lorenzo appeared from the shadows, his face pale as he took in the scene. "Cello, che cazzo sta succedendo?!" (Cello, what the hell is going on?)

Marcello ignored him, his focus entirely on Zara. "Trova il dottore! Subito!" he barked. (Get the doctor! Now!)

Matteo sprinted toward the exit, his phone already pressed to his ear as he shouted instructions.

"Resta con me," Marcello muttered under his breath, pressing his gloved hand firmly against her wrist to stem the bleeding. (Stay with me.)

Zara's head lolled again, her lips trembling as she whispered something incoherent.

"Non adesso," he hissed, his voice shaking with frustration. (Not now.) His free hand grabbed her face gently but firmly, forcing her to focus. "Mi senti? Non chiudere gli occhi!" (Can you hear me? Don't close your eyes!)

Her lashes fluttered weakly, but she didn't respond.

Lorenzo finally knelt beside him, ripping the sleeve off his shirt to tie a makeshift tourniquet above Zara's wrist.

"Cello, lei è gravemente ferita," Lorenzo muttered. (Cello, she's seriously hurt.)

Marcello's jaw clenched as he scooped her up effortlessly. "Lo so," he snapped. (I know.)

The hall outside the auction erupted into chaos as they exited. Men shouted, some panicking, others angry about the disruption. Marcello didn't care. He kept his head low, his grip on Zara firm as he carried her toward the waiting car.

The sleek black SUV roared to life, and Matteo threw open the back door.

"Il medico è in arrivo," Matteo announced as Marcello climbed in with Zara cradled in his arms. (The medic is on his way.)