Destroy me

Chapter 15 - Niamh - Cutting him off

My father wasn't as furious as I'd thought he'd be when he got back - by this point I'd changed from the jeans and sweat shirt that had previously been strewn across Marco's bedroom floor. I'd changed into a black slip-dress and a presentable cardigan and jelly-shoes; worn admittedly because my mother hated them, but my Dad, he said they 'Gave an innocence to me I was determined to lose by growing up'.

We; My father mother, sister, Marco, Antonio, Danny and I all gathered in the lounge that had been stripped of my mother's favourite rug, due to Patrick and the assailants blood staining it.

Antonio spoke first and looked at Marco "So, this guy, eastern-european you said?"

"He was Polish" I interrupted, which I couldn't believe I had, and noticing my everyone's faces, neither could they.

Marco began to speak, when his father cut him off, "What do you know of it girl?"

I was stunned by the abruptness, and silenced, my father clearly not as his eyebrows raised in amusement "Yes, Niamh, share all you wisdom"

"His accent was identical to the polish exchange student I had in Junior-High; for that whole 'Good-Bye Berlin Wall, Hello to democracy' thing"

Antonio smiled "Marco" He turned swiftly to his son, "You said you were with her, did you seek her out when the shootings began? Why didn't you take him down?"

Marco's face hardened "I was upstairs, I'd gone to check on her anyway, that's how I came to be there to protect her. I had no idea where Danny was, but I knew he could handle himself, Niamh couldn't"

Antonio seemed satisfied with his answer allowing my father to speak.

"Eastern-European for certain, and polish makes sense, especially as I trust my daughter's judgement. Antonio, it could be Nordrekski. We'll talk later about it." Turning to Marco, "Thank you for protecting Niamh, I'm grateful, in words I can't speak. Danny," He then flicked to him "Where were you? Did you get a look at the guy?"

Danny seemed to shift uncomfortably, "I was recovering from the night before, so I was in bed, I didn't know until it was over, I guess, Marco's the hero"

"It's not about hero's" Antonio interrupted "It's about why this guy came in, what he wanted and who sent him."

Marco looked pissed at his fathers defence of Danny.

"Dad, it's been a long day, I think I'd like to retire for the evening"

I looked over at Marco, willing him to look at me and get the hint I wanted him to come with me. "Would someone mind walking with me, I'm a bit shaken up after today"

Danny looked up, "I will.." I cut him off quickly, "No. I mean, no actually, I'm being silly."

I left the room and walked into Matthew.

"Hey Neevey, you ok?" He lifted my chin to face him. "Yeah, just a little shaken up about today I guess..."

"Come on," he put his arm around me, "I'll walk you to bed."

We walked and I almost had a twinge of guilt for my earlier actions with Marco.

When we got to my room he followed me in and sat on my bed.

"I saw Marco carry you in last night. You had host jacket over you, but you certainly didn't have anything on underneath. What happened Niamh?"

Shit! I'd forgotten he'd ripped my dress and carried me in. I rushed to close the door.

"Nothing happened between Marco and I, but you can't tell ANYONE! I got wasted at that club, ripped my dress, passed out and Marco took me home. It's not bad, but my parents would be furious"

He laughed "Oh, good." He seemed to genuinely relax then stiffen again, "Well not good, you're way too young. But I thought you two might have hooked up and he's not a good guy for you"

"What?!"

"Relax, I know you wouldn't hook up with a guy like him." I didn't know whether to be infuriated or offended. Or embarrassed.

"Listen, I hate to chase you off, but I'm really tired and need an early night."

"Yeah sure" he jumped up. Placing a kiss on my forehead "I can stay. Tonight. If you want"

And that was the moment I knew I was officially over him, "No, I just want to be alone. Please."

With that and a small smile he felt.

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