Chapter 795: Watched from the Shadows

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of laughter and sharp, witty banter. By the time the dessert plates were cleared, I’d decided—I wanted her on my side. Permanently.

I leaned forward, my voice dropping into a more serious tone, though my smirk never faded. "You know, Lorena," I said, my fingers tracing the rim of my glass, "I’d feel a lot better knowing I have you in my corner."

I met her gaze, my expression turning intent. "What do you say to being my lawyer here in Mexico? Name your fee. I’ll pay it."

Lorena studied me for a long moment, her dark eyes calculating, weighing the pros and cons in that brilliant mind of hers.

Then, slowly, she nodded. "I think that could be arranged," she said, her voice smooth, professional. "I’ll draw up a contract. We can meet tomorrow to finalize the details."

"Perfect," I said, my grin widening.

After dinner, Lorena drove me to Marina’s house, the Aston Martin purring through the quiet streets. As I stepped out of the car, I turned to her, my voice sincere for once.

"Thank you," I said, "for everything."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Goodnight, Jack," she said, her voice amused, before pulling away.

I watched as her taillights disappeared down the street, then turned toward Marina’s house—only to catch the glint of headlights parked a little too far away, a little too conspicuously. A car I didn’t recognize. My instincts flared.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers flying over the screen as I activated SERA.

"Identify the vehicle parked 50 meters from my location. License plate—" I rattled off the numbers, my voice low.

A beat of silence. Then, SERA’s calm, synthetic voice responded. "Vehicle registered to Officer Sarah Diaz."

I smirked, shaking my head. Of course.

Sarah was following me. After my little threat earlier, she was afraid—afraid I’d make good on my promise, afraid I’d go after her brother. The thought was almost amusing. She thought she could intimidate me by tailing me? Cute.

The moment I stepped inside Marina’s house, the weight of the night—Sarah’s pathetic surveillance, Lorena’s sharp wit, the thrill of the game—melted away under the warm glow of the foyer lights. The scent of vanilla and something floral wrapped around me, familiar and comforting. Before I could even take a breath, Marina was there, her arms winding around my waist, her body pressing against mine like she needed to confirm I was real.

"You’re back?" she murmured, her voice soft, almost vulnerable, her face buried against my chest.

I pulled her closer, my arms tightening around her, my fingers tangling in her hair. "I’m back," I murmured, my voice rough with something I didn’t bother to name. The tension of the night bled out of me, replaced by the warmth of her, the way she fit against me like she was made to be there.

Ema’s voice cut through the quiet, gentle but firm. "Grandma is asleep."

I nodded, my grip on Marina loosening just enough to glance over at Ema and Eva, who stood a few steps away, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity. Ema’s arms were crossed, but her eyes were soft, almost knowing. Eva, ever the quiet one, just watched me with that steady gaze of hers, like she could see right through me.

Marina pulled back just enough to look up at me, her fingers brushing against my jaw. "You took longer than I expected," she said, her voice teasing, but her eyes searched mine, like she was trying to read what had happened out there.

I smirked, my thumb tracing her lower lip. "Had some unfinished business," I murmured, my voice dropping into that darker, more intimate tone. "But I’m here now."

Her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "Good," she whispered, her fingers tightening in my shirt. "Because we missed you."

Ema let out a soft, amused snort from where she leaned against the doorway. "Missed you? Please. Eva and I were just placing bets on whether you’d come back in handcuffs or with a new lawyer."

Eva’s lips twitched, her voice quiet but dry. "I said lawyer."

I barked out a laugh, shaking my head. "Smart girl," I said, my grin turning wicked as I looked back at Marina. "Though I did bring back a lawyer. Just not the kind you’re thinking of."

Marina’s eyebrows lifted, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Oh?"

I shrugged, my arm slipping around her waist, pulling her against me again. "Long story," I murmured, my voice rough. "But right now, I’d rather forget about lawyers and cops and whatever else is waiting out there." My fingers tangled in her hair, tilting her face up to mine. "I’ve got better things to do."

Her breath hitched, her lips parting just slightly, and I didn’t wait for an answer. I crashed my mouth against hers, swallowing the soft gasp she let out, my hands gripping her like she was the only thing keeping me grounded. Behind us, I heard Ema let out a dramatic groan.

"Ugh, again?" she muttered, but there was no real annoyance in her voice, just the usual exasperated fondness.

The moment my lips crashed against Marina’s again, the rest of the world dissolved into a haze of heat and need. My hands slid down, gripping the generous curve of her ass, pulling her flush against me.

The soft gasp she let out only fueled the fire burning through me. I didn’t care about Ema’s dramatic groans or Eva’s quiet presence in the room. Right now, the only thing that mattered was the way Marina’s body melted into mine, the way her breath hitched as my fingers dug into her flesh.

I broke the kiss just long enough to meet her gaze, my voice rough with desire. "You drive me fucking crazy," I growled, my hands already working at the waistband of her pants.

But I didn’t bother undressing her—not yet. Instead, I freed my cock, thick and hard, and pressed it against her, rubbing it between her thighs over her clothes. The friction was maddening, the heat of her even through the fabric, making my pulse roar in my ears.

Marina let out a whimper, her cheeks flushing a deep, embarrassed red, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, her fingers clenched in my shirt, her breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. "J-Jack," she stuttered, her voice trembling, "Ema and Eva are right there—"