Eternal Ties 3
Naomi woke the next morning with a lingering sense of unease, the events of the previous night swirling in her mind like a storm she couldn’t shake off. She had barely slept, her thoughts consumed by the unexpected encounter with Marco and the cryptic words he had left her with. The truth might make you wish you had never seen me again. The memory of those words sent a shiver down her spine, as did the memory of the way he had looked at her, like a predator studying its prey.
As she sat on the edge of her bed, sunlight streaming through the curtains, Naomi couldn’t help but feel that her life had just been irrevocably changed. There was no going back to the way things had been, no return to the simple life she had tried to build for herself. Marco was back, and with him came a darkness she had never imagined.
But she was determined to face it. She had spent too many years wondering, aching for answers, and she wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip through her fingers. Marco had promised her the truth, and she intended to get it, no matter the cost.
After a quick shower, Naomi dressed in her favorite jeans and a simple black top. She needed to clear her head, to figure out her next move, and there was only one place that ever truly gave her peace—Central Park. The sprawling green space had been her refuge ever since she moved to New York, a place where she could breathe and think without the chaos of the city pressing in on her.
As she walked through the park, the sounds of the city faded into the background, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of children playing. Naomi found a quiet spot near the lake, away from the crowds, and sat down on a bench. The cool breeze off the water ruffled her hair, and for a moment, she allowed herself to simply be—no thoughts, no worries, just the sensation of the world moving around her.
But the peace didn’t last long.
She felt his presence before she saw him, a familiar tension in the air that made her heart race. Naomi looked up, and there he was, standing a few yards away, watching her with those same intense eyes that had haunted her dreams. Marco De Luca, the man who had shattered her heart and now, it seemed, had come back to do it all over again.
He looked as out of place in the park as she felt—dressed in a dark, tailored suit that accentuated his powerful frame, his presence commanding, almost regal. There was an aura about him, something dangerous and magnetic, that drew her in even as every instinct screamed at her to run.
Marco approached slowly, as if giving her time to adjust to his presence, but there was no hesitation in his movements, no uncertainty. He knew exactly what he was doing, and that realization sent another shiver down her spine.
“Naomi,” he greeted her, his voice as smooth as silk, with that same hint of an accent that had once made her weak in the knees. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Naomi stood, her heart pounding in her chest. “What do you want, Marco?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a moment to study her, his eyes traveling over her face, as if searching for something. Whatever he saw must have satisfied him, because he nodded slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
“I owe you an explanation,” he said finally, his voice low and serious. “I know I hurt you, Naomi, and I’m not here to make excuses. But there are things you need to understand—things that might change how you see me.”
Naomi crossed her arms over her chest, trying to shield herself from the flood of emotions his words stirred up. “Then explain,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt. “Tell me why you left, why you disappeared without a word. Tell me what’s changed.”
Marco’s expression darkened, and for a moment, she saw a flash of something in his eyes—something primal and fierce, something that spoke of a world far removed from her own. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the calm, controlled exterior he always wore like a mask.
“I left to protect you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “There were things happening, things that you couldn’t know about. I didn’t have a choice, Naomi. If I had stayed, you would have been in danger.”
Naomi shook her head, frustration bubbling up inside her. “Danger from what, Marco? What could have been so bad that you had to leave without even saying goodbye?”
His jaw tightened, and she could see the struggle in his eyes—the war between wanting to tell her the truth and the instinct to protect her from it. But she wasn’t going to let him off that easily. She deserved answers, and she wasn’t going to stop until she got them.
“Tell me the truth, Marco,” she demanded, her voice rising. “No more half-truths, no more evasions. I want to know everything.”
Marco’s gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, she saw the man she had fallen in love with all those years ago—the man who had held her, whispered promises to her, and then disappeared without a trace. But there was something different about him now, something darker, more dangerous.
“You want the truth?” he asked, his voice low and intense. “Fine. But understand this, Naomi—the truth isn’t what you think it is. It’s darker, more terrifying, and once you know it, there’s no going back.”
Naomi swallowed hard, fear and determination warring within her. But she nodded, her resolve unwavering. “I’m not afraid, Marco. I deserve to know.”
He took a step closer, and she could feel the heat radiating off his body, the power that seemed to pulse just beneath the surface. When he spoke again, his voice was like a whisper in the dark, drawing her in even as it warned her away.
“I’m not the man you once knew,” Marco said, his eyes locking onto hers. “I’m something else now—something that shouldn’t exist, but does. I’m a vampire, Naomi. And I’m the leader of the Sangue Scuro, the most powerful vampire clan in the world.”
Naomi felt the blood drain from her face, her mind struggling to process what he had just said. A vampire? It was impossible, ridiculous—things like that didn’t exist outside of horror movies and old legends. But the look in Marco’s eyes, the intensity in his voice, told her that he wasn’t lying. He believed what he was saying.
She took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. “This… this isn’t possible,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “You’re telling me you’re a—a vampire?”
Marco nodded, his expression grave. “Yes. And that’s why I left. I was turned shortly after we graduated, and I knew that if I stayed, you would be in danger. I couldn’t risk your life, Naomi. Not then, and not now.”
Naomi’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the impossible. Everything she had ever known, everything she had ever believed, was being turned upside down. But there was one thing she couldn’t ignore—the way Marco was looking at her, the way his words, no matter how unbelievable, resonated with something deep inside her.
“So all these years…” she began, her voice trembling. “You’ve been… what? Living as some kind of monster?”
Marco’s expression softened, and for the first time since they had met again, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. “I’ve been living as something more than human,” he admitted. “But I’m not a monster, Naomi. I’m still me, still the man you knew—just changed.”
Naomi shook her head, her mind reeling. “I don’t know what to think,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Everything you’re telling me… it’s too much.”
“I know it is,” Marco replied, his voice gentle. “And I don’t expect you to accept it right away. But I needed you to know the truth, to understand why I did what I did. I couldn’t let you live in ignorance, not anymore.”
Naomi looked up at him, her eyes searching his for any sign of deceit, any hint that he might be lying. But all she saw was sincerity, mixed with something darker—something that spoke of a world she had never known, but was now a part of.
“What happens now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco’s gaze softened, and for a moment, she saw the man she had once loved—the man who had been taken from her by forces beyond her understanding.
“Now,” he said, his voice filled with quiet determination, “you decide if you want to be a part of this world or if you want to walk away. But know this, Naomi—if you choose to stay, there’s no going back. You’ll be drawn into a world of darkness, power, and blood. And you’ll be mine.”
Naomi’s breath caught in her throat at his words, the weight of his promise hanging between them like a tangible force. She could feel the pull of him, the allure of the unknown, and despite the fear that gnawed at her, she couldn’t deny the desire that burned beneath it.
She had spent too many years wondering, too many nights dreaming of a love that had been taken from her. And now, with Marco standing before her, offering her a chance to reclaim that love—no matter how dangerous it might be—she knew there was only one choice she could make.
“I’m not afraid,” Naomi said, her voice steady and strong. “If this is who you are, then I want to know everything. I want to be a part of your world, Marco. But I won’t be a pawn, and I won’t be controlled.”
Marco’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile, and she could see the predator lurking just beneath the surface. But there was also something else—something softer, more human.
“You’re already stronger than you know,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. “And if you choose to stand by my side, I will never let anyone harm you. But understand this, Naomi—you are mine, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Naomi nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she met his gaze head-on. “I’m yours,” she whispered, the words a vow that she knew she could never take back. “But I’m still me, Marco. I won’t be consumed by this darkness.”
Marco stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently caress her cheek, his touch cool and electric. “Then let’s walk through the darkness together,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “And I promise, I’ll show you things you’ve never imagined.”
As his words wrapped around her, Naomi felt the last vestiges of her old life slipping away, replaced by the thrill of the unknown. Whatever the future held, she knew one thing for certain—she was no longer the same woman who had walked into that nightclub. She had stepped into a world of danger and desire, and there was no turning back.
Later that night, Naomi lay in bed, her mind still reeling from the revelations Marco had shared with her. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the city outside her window, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted irrevocably. The man she had once loved had returned to her life, not as the boy she had known, but as something far more dangerous, far more powerful.
She had agreed to stand by his side, to enter his world, but the reality of what that meant was only now beginning to sink in. Vampires, the Sangue Scuro, a life of shadows and blood… It all felt like a dream, a dark fantasy that she couldn’t wake up from. But it was real, and it was her new reality.
Naomi turned over in bed, pulling the covers tighter around her. The room was dark, the only light coming from the moon filtering through the curtains. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t quiet. Thoughts of Marco, of the intensity in his gaze, the promise in his voice, kept her awake.
Hours passed, and finally, exhaustion began to take its toll. Naomi drifted into a restless sleep, her dreams filled with images of Marco—his eyes, his touch, the way he had claimed her as his own. But even in sleep, she couldn’t escape the feeling that she was being watched, that someone was with her, watching over her.
And she was right.
Marco stood in the darkened corner of her room, his presence as silent and as still as the shadows that surrounded him. He had watched her for hours, his keen eyes taking in every detail of her as she slept—the way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the way her lips parted slightly as she dreamed, the way her brow furrowed as if even in sleep, she couldn’t find peace.
He had promised to protect her, to keep her safe, and that was exactly what he intended to do. But there was more to it than that. There was a need within him, a hunger that went beyond the thirst for blood. It was a need to be near her, to ensure that she was safe, to claim her fully as his own.
Marco had tried to stay away, to give her space after their conversation in the park, but he couldn’t. The bond between them, the pull that had always existed, was stronger than ever. It was as if the years apart had only heightened the connection they shared, and now that he had found her again, he couldn’t bear to let her go.
He watched as Naomi stirred in her sleep, a soft murmur escaping her lips. Marco’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the fierce predator within him was tempered by something gentler, something that belonged to the man he had once been. He moved silently to the edge of the bed, his eyes never leaving her face.
He knew she was strong—stronger than she realized—but the world he was bringing her into was unforgiving, brutal. He couldn’t allow her to face it alone, unprepared. Marco reached out, his hand hovering just above her cheek, not quite touching her but close enough to feel the warmth of her skin.
“Sleep, Naomi,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
As if sensing his presence, Naomi’s restless movements stilled, and she seemed to settle into a deeper sleep. Marco watched her for a moment longer, his heart aching with the weight of everything he wanted to say, everything he wanted to do. But there would be time for that. For now, he was content to watch over her, to keep her safe, to make sure she knew she was never alone.
The night stretched on, and Marco remained by her side, a silent guardian in the dark. When Naomi finally began to stir, the first light of dawn creeping through the window, Marco moved back into the shadows, his presence a comforting weight she could feel but not see.
Naomi woke slowly, the remnants of her dreams clinging to her as she blinked against the morning light. For a moment, she lay still, her mind groggy, trying to remember where she was. But as her eyes adjusted to the light, she felt it—the sense that she wasn’t alone.
She sat up, her gaze sweeping the room, and there, in the corner, she saw him. Marco, his tall frame barely visible in the shadowed corner of the room, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity.
“Marco,” she breathed, her voice still thick with sleep. “You’re here.”
He stepped forward, the shadows seeming to melt away as he moved into the light. “I told you, Naomi,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I’ll always be here. You have nothing to fear.”
Naomi felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him, at the quiet power that radiated from him even in the stillness of the morning. She had known, deep down, that he wouldn’t leave her, not after the night they had shared. But seeing him there, in the intimate space of her bedroom, brought the reality of their new connection crashing down on her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and the lingering remnants of sleep.
“I was watching over you,” Marco replied, his gaze unwavering. “I couldn’t stay away, not after everything that’s happened. You’re mine now, Naomi. And that means I’ll protect you with everything I have.”
Naomi felt a shiver run through her at the possessiveness in his voice, at the way he said “mine” with such absolute certainty. But there was comfort in his words too, a promise that she wasn’t alone, that no matter what happened, he would be there for her.
She nodded slowly, accepting his presence, his protection. “And what if I don’t want to be protected?” she asked, her voice stronger now. “What if I want to face this world with you, not behind you?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Marco’s lips, a rare softness in his expression. “You’re stronger than you know, Naomi,” he said, repeating the words he had spoken before. “And I’ll teach you everything you need to know. But make no mistake—you are mine, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Naomi met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the intensity of his promise, the weight of what he was offering her. It was dangerous, terrifying, and thrilling all at once. But she had made her choice, and she wasn’t about to back down now.
“Then teach me,” she said, her voice steady. “Teach me how to survive in this world, how to stand by your side.”
Marco’s smile widened, his eyes darkening with something she couldn’t quite name. “I will,” he promised, his voice as smooth and dark as the night that still clung to the edges of the morning light. “But first, you need to understand what it means to be mine, Naomi. What it truly means.”
He reached out, his hand gently cupping her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. “Are you ready for that?” he asked, his voice a whisper that seemed to echo in the stillness of the room.
Naomi swallowed hard, her heart racing, but she didn’t waver. “Yes,” she replied, her voice strong. “I’m ready.”
And with that, Marco leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both a promise and a claim, sealing their fates together as the dawn broke over the city outside.