Chapter 265 Blood on the Tiles
Chapter 265 Blood on the Tiles
The moment Lucius pushed open the heavy wooden door of the upscale restaurant, warm golden light and the rich aroma of garlic, fresh basil, and simmering sauces washed over them. Soft jazz played in the background, and the dining room was filled with well-dressed couples and small groups enjoying their evening.
Heads turned almost immediately.
Marita looked stunning in the fitted cream sundress that hugged her curves and showed off her long legs and glowing skin. Her wild curls framed her face beautifully, and the way she walked beside the tall, imposing Lucius dressed in a perfectly tailored black shirt and trousers, drew more than a few lingering stares. Whispers followed them as they stepped inside.
Lucius felt it too. His entire body went tent, and he immediately pulled her tight against his right side, one strong arm wrapping possessively around her waist. His hand wrapped across her hip, fingers pressing firmly as if to remind the entire room exactly who she belonged to.
“Eyes forward, little bird,” he murmured low against her ear.
Marita leaned into him, a small thrill running through her at his possessiveness even as the earlier uneasy feeling of being watched still prickled at the back of her neck. She smiled up at him sweetly.
“Yu acting like yu want to fight de whole restaurant already,” she teased softly. “Mi no mind dem looking. As long as yu de only one who get to take dis dress off later.”
Lucius’s grip tightened, a low growl vibrating in his chest.
A polished host in a crisp suit approached them quickly, offering a professional smile that faltered slightly under Lucius’s intense stare.
“Mr. Ashbourne, your usual private table is ready. Right this way, please.”
The host led them through the main dining area toward a quieter, more intimate corner booth near the back, partially shielded by elegant wooden latticework and soft lighting. Lucius kept Marita glued to his side the entire way, his body a solid wall between her and the rest of the room.
When they reached the table, Lucius pulled out the plush chair for her himself, ignoring the host’s attempt to do so. Marita sat gracefully, smoothing her dress over her thighs. Lucius took the seat right beside her instead of across, close enough that their thighs pressed together under the table.
The host handed them menus with a polite nod and disappeared.
Marita let out a soft breath, glancing around the beautiful restaurant before her eyes returned to Lucius. The feeling of being watched lingered faintly, like a shadow at the edge of her vision, but she pushed it down, focusing on the man beside her.
“Dis place nice,” she said, picking up the menu. “Mi hope dey have big portions. Mi starving after dealing wid Cassandra all day.”
“You handled her perfectly,” he chuckled, eyes locked on her face. “And you’ll eat whatever you want tonight. Order everything on the menu if it makes you happy.”
Marita grinned, but that uneasy prickling returned stronger for a second. She glanced toward the front windows, scanning the street outside, but saw nothing unusual.
Marita picked up the elegant leather menu, flipping it open with a confident smile that quickly faltered. The words blurred together, fancy Italian names, long descriptions, tiny elegant font. She could make out some simple things, but most of it was too complicated. Reading had never been her strongest skill.
Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. She bit her lip, pretending to study the options while her heart sank a little.
Lucius noticed immediately. He always noticed everything about her. His hand on her thigh gave a gentle, reassuring squeeze. He leaned in close, his voice low and warm against her ear, full of respect and tenderness.
“Little bird,” he murmured, no judgment in his tone, only understanding. “Tell me what kind of food you’re craving. I’ll read everything to you, and we’ll pick together.”
Marita’s cheeks flushed deep red, the warmth spreading all the way to her ears. She looked up at him, flustered and touched by how gently he handled her. No mockery or impatience. Just pure respect and love.
“Mi… mi like pasta,” she whispered shyly, “and something wid plenty sauce and meat. No small small portions.”
Lucius smiled softly, his thumb stroking her thigh under the table. “Then we’ll get the biggest plates they have. Maybe the osso buco and the carbonara with extra…”
Suddenly, the front windows exploded in a deafening crash of shattering glass.
Gunshots ripped through the air, loud, rapid cracks that shattered the peaceful jazz and turned the restaurant into chaos.
People screamed.
A black van was parked just feet away from the entrance, side door slid open. Masked figures inside opened fire, bullets tearing through tables, walls, and bodies.
Lucius moved like lightning.
He grabbed Marita and yanked her down under the heavy table, shielding her body with his own as glass rained down around them. Vases shattered. Flowers scattered across the floor. Bullets whizzed overhead, embedding into the walls with deadly thuds.
Marita screamed, shaking violently in his arms. “Lucius! What is happening?!”
“I’ve got you,” he curled protectively around her, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other pulling a hidden gun from under his jacket. “Stay down, little bird. Breathe.”
She clutched his shirt, tears of terror spilling down her cheeks as more screams filled the restaurant. Her eyes darted to the side and she froze.
The polite host who had seated them lay just a few feet away, crumpled among scattered flowers and broken glass.
Blood pooled rapidly beneath his body, dark and spreading across the elegant tile floor. His eyes were open, lifeless.
“No… no…” Marita whimpered, shaking harder. “He dead… Lucius, he..”
More gunshots erupted. The attackers were still firing.