Chapter Twenty-Two
As she entered, her gaze swept the room, taking in the familiar faces of their visitors. But one figure stood out - someone she wasn't supposed to see here.
Markus.
Her heart skipped a beat. What was he doing openly showing his face to her? She knew he worked secretly for her father. He was the mole in his family. Someone Ahmet trusted the most with his life. If he trusted him that much, could it be he was aware of her encounters with Ahmet?
Was that why her father asked for her? Was that why he waited for her to return before he summoned her? Was her nanny safe? When she got back, she didn't see her or any of her relatives who were living with them. What was happening?
Was her father exposing his dealing with Markus because this could be her last night? Did he not think she knew about Markus? She did not want to mention it when she found out weeks ago because of how she found out. Or was it because her father didn't like it when she asked too many questions?
Their eyes met, and for an instant, she saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Right, this was the first time he had seen her face. Most Mafias had heard of her and what she was capable of but a few had seen what she looked like. They mostly died seconds after.
Was his reaction that of someone who just discovered the face behind her name? Or was it that of genuine surprise because he wasn't aware she was coming?
Everyone feared to even catch a glimpse of her. Yet, Ahmet... She quickly brushed the thoughts off. This wasn't the time.
Her father, oblivious to the tension, gestured for her to approach. "Daughter, I've been searching for you."
Her father's tone was different. As if he was a father. As if he wished to see her. What game was he playing? Was this really her last day?
She looked around the room, drinking in its familiar sight, and then her gaze locked onto Markus, her eyes narrowing into slits as she struggled to maintain a facade of indifference. But beneath her, she couldn't stop the maelstrom of emotions. Mostly fear, a feeling she'd never truly experienced before, now clawed at her chest like a caged beast.
For the first time in her life, the possibility of death stared her in the face, and she would be lying if she denied she was terrified. It was a foreign sensation, one she couldn't quite comprehend but knew she was feeling it.
She had always been a killer machine, driven solely by her desire for revenge. The concept of dying had never occurred to her; she'd never cared whether she lived or died. She had merely existed, a shadow of a person, devoid of any feeling but her desire to kill those who killed her family.
However, something was different now, she didn't know what it also was but a spark within her had flickered to life, and with it came a sense of vulnerability.
Asli's eyes flashed with anger, directed inwardly at her weakness. Why did she fear death now, when she'd never feared it before? What was it about this moment, this man's cousin she was thinking about, that made her want to cling to life?
She composed herself, not wanting this discovery or even the change in her adoptive father's attitude today, to catch her off guard. Her voice was firm and even. "Father" Was this the first time she was calling him that or was it the second or third? The name sounded alien on her tongue.
Marco's expression turned grave after a few seconds. "I want you to meet Markus." his eyes clouded over like a stormy sky.
Surely if it was about her meetings or encounters with Ahmet then she was sure a bullet would've been buried in at least two of her parts by now. So what was it? Had Markus not told him about them? Or whatever that was going on between them. Yet?
Markus' presence wasn't helping. He was silent and unreadable as her father introduced him. If he could betray his family for whatever reason her father was giving him, he could do the same with her. She couldn't trust him.
Why were they not meeting in secret like they usually did? Markus' expression when he saw her clearly didn't look like he was expecting her either.
This could fairly be a game of her father's. What game was he playing?
"Markus here has proven himself to be worthy enough to be a part of our family." Her father began again, but stopped, waiting for her to stomach his words.
'Part of our family'. It was not by blood or adoption. Who did this man kill to prove himself to him? As long as it didn't involve killing her, she couldn't care less what made Markus worthy to be a part of them.
"In return, I promise to unite you two in matrimony one day," he revealed with a smile while watching the two of them.
Her expression remained neutral, but her mind reeled. Was her father out of his mind? He wanted her to marry a traitor now? She knew he would never give this empire to her, he had nephews he adored. However, was marrying this man not too much of a punishment? With a character like this, he was probably to die at a younger age. Ahmet, even, would kill him if he were ever to find out he was a traitor.
Markus standing by the left shelf, raised an eyebrow, his gaze searching for hers but she ignored him. Did he think she would marry him?
'You know what it means. Don't think too far.' she thought to herself. It was her father's code of informing her she was either to kill whoever it was or marry him. He was giving her the choice and he knew she'd never take the second. But why waste her time when his cousin would end his life before she could bother herself?
"You two will be working together sometimes. That will be all for now." Marco dismissed them with a wave. They all turned and left his study.
Was this why he called for a meeting?
She recalled from earlier when Steve met her at her hall. Steve he hesitated before responding, "I'm not privy to the details, but it's clear it's urgent. He's been... anxious." Even with that, the man felt he could punished for telling her that. So why did her father only just introduce Markus to her and then dismiss them?
Was the meeting or the reason he called, to watch her reaction? Why would he want to see her react to meeting Markus? Did her father know of her meeting with Ahmet or not?