Chapter 31: Warning
Anna’s POV
The sudden chime of Marcus’s phone still echoed in my mind as I stared at him, momentarily frozen. My thoughts raced at impossible speed, trying to process what had just happened. It couldn’t be the timing was too perfect, too coincidental. I’d just texted my mystery lover, and Marcus’s phone had immediately chimed with a notification.
I forced myself to take a breath, to think logically. The room felt suddenly airless, the soft lamplight that had seemed comforting moments ago now felt exposing.
Marcus had picked up his phone casually, glancing at the screen with no particular reaction before setting it back down. Now he was answering another call, his voice low and measured despite his injury.
"It’s been handled," he said into the phone. "Peter will be here shortly."
He ended the call and turned his attention back to me. I realized I’d been standing motionless, still processing the impossible thought that had flashed through my mind. Could Marcus Murphy possibly be the same man I’d been meeting at the Sapphire Sky Hotel? The mysterious lover whose face I’d never clearly seen?
I mentally shook myself. That’s absurd. The timing of the notification could be pure coincidence. Besides, our first encounter at the hotel had happened before Marcus returned to America. The timeline simply didn’t add up. Relief washed over me.
Marcus’s penetrating gaze studied my face. I had the distinct feeling he could read every thought crossing my mind, every emotion flickering across my features.
"You’re concerned," he observed. It wasn’t a question.
I hesitated, wondering if I should voice my actual concerns or deflect.
"Those men who attacked you," I began carefully, "they’re not from Europe, are they? They won’t follow you here?"
A hint of something amusement, perhaps? flickered in his eyes. "No. They won’t be troubling you. This won’t bring danger to your doorstep."