44

I couldn't imagine being away from Mariana and the baby, even if this was a chance to force her to suffocate what she said she felt for me and what she was fighting for all that time to die inside me. I didn't want to allow myself to fall in love, but Mariana did everything the opposite, she made me believe it was the best thing in the world.

Despite everything, I still continued to worry about her, mainly due to the fact that Rubens was walking around as if nothing had happened.

Obviously, he wouldn't be able to penetrate the security of the property, but just the possibility of that bastard coming within a hundred kilometers of Mariana made me furious, awakening a fear that I couldn't shake.

The irrational fear of losing her.

There were over fifty heavily armed men guarding that house and military-grade drones scanning the area. No one would be able to get close to her there, but that didn't change how I felt, it didn't lessen the primitive panic that devoured me inside. I just wanted to take Mariana and take her as far away as possible, to a place where no one would ever find her, where she would be mine, mine alone.

But there was no longer such a place. My enemies knew of her existence and that she was important to me. I had proven that when I picked her up earlier. If they still wanted the explosive, and I was sure they did, I would try to get her again and again until they were completely annihilated.

Exaggeration or not, with this new information, I needed to take additional precautions to ensure Mariana's safety.

I needed to make sure I would always have a connection with her.

- What it was? — Mariana asks with a worried expression on her face. I realized that I had stared at her for a few minutes without saying anything.

I forced myself to smile, looking at the plate in front of me. —Nothing much, Mariana. I just want to make sure you're safe, that's all.

— Why wouldn't I be? — She seemed more confused than worried.

— Because Rubens is out there, because of you, and he's definitely planning something — I explained as calmly as possible. I didn't want to scare her, but I needed her to understand why it was necessary to take those precautions.

Why would I have to do what I was about to do to her. Just to be safe and to protect them.

— Do you really think he could still be here? —Her face turned slightly pale, but her voice remained steady. — Do you think he might try something?

- Perhaps. It doesn't mean he'll make it, but he'll probably try. — I release the air from my lungs, not wanting to think about any assumptions, so as not to fuel my apprehension even more — That's why I want to ensure that I can always find you, Mariana, that I will always know where you are.

She frowns, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

- What you mean? — Her voice was steady, but I saw a vein at the base of her neck begin to pulse rapidly. As I thought, she didn't like the idea very much.

“I want to put some trackers on you,” I explained, keeping his gaze. — They will be placed in some locations on your body. If anything ever happens to you, I'll be able to find you immediately.

— Trackers? You mean... like GPS chips or something? Like something you use to brand cattle?

I pursed my lips. I realized it would be a difficult subject.

“No, it's not like that,” I replied. — These trackers are confidential and specifically intended for use on humans. They will have GPS chips, yes, but they will also have sensors that measure your heart rate and body temperature.

body. That way, I'll always know if you're alive.

— And you will always know where I am — she replied quietly. Her eyes were somber in her pale face.

— Yes. I will always know where you are. — The idea gave me immense relief and satisfaction. I should have done that weeks before, as soon as she told me she was pregnant — It's for your safety, Mariana — I added, wanting to emphasize that point. — If you had told me about the pregnancy as soon as you found out and had these trackers when I would have found you immediately, when they tried to kill my son.

Upon hearing my words, Mariana flinched slightly, as if I had hit her, and pain invaded her face.

However, she recovered a second later.

— So, let me get this straight... — She leaned forward, placing her arms on the table. I saw that her fingers were intertwined and her knuckles turned white.

because of the tension. — Do you want to implant some chips inside my body that will tell you where I am at all times? For me to be safe in a house is there more security than any other place?

Her tone was full of sarcasm and I felt my temper heat up in response. I pleased her in many things, but I wouldn't take any chances when it came to her safety. It would have been easier if she had chosen to cooperate, but I didn't intend to let her her reluctance prevented me from doing the right thing.

— Yes, my Mariana, that's right — I replied in a soft tone, getting up from the chair. — That's exactly what I want. You will receive these trackers today. In fact, right now.

— Actually, the question is what are you going to do, Ravi? — She asks in a low, bitter voice. — Are you going to carry me, kicking and screaming, to deploy the trackers? Because that's what you have to do, you know? I will not accept this as a submissive prisoner. I'm not going to play that role.

My smile disappears, replaced by a look of relentless determination.

— I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Mariana — I say in a stern tone. Then I pull her to her feet.

She struggles, but it was useless. In a second, I have her in my arms, with one hand holding her wrists and the other arm firmly trapped under her knees, immobilizing her legs. Annoyed, she arches her back, trying to free herself, but he holds her too tightly. She could only tire herself out, and after a few minutes, she stopped, panting with exhausted frustration.

— You can scream if you want — I inform as we approach the steps of the stairs. My voice was calm and my face expressed no emotion as I looked at her. — It won't change anything, but you can try.

“Are you just going to stick the trackers in me?” — She asks when I take her to her room. — Without anesthesia or anything? —Her tone was deeply sarcastic, but she was really worried about it.

My jaw tightens as I set it down.

— No — I answer shortly, releasing her, I take a step back. Her eyes immediately turned to the door, but she stood between me and the exit as she walked over to a small dresser and began rummaging through the drawers.

— You won't feel anything. — And, while she watched, I took a small syringe - It's one of the best drugs of its kind, with very few side effects.

— Few side effects? How lovely. — Taking a step back, she casts a frantic look around the room, looking for something she could defend herself with.

But there was nothing. Aside from a jar of hand cream and a box of tissues on the bedside table, the room was immaculately tidy. She continued backing away until her knees touched the bed and

realizing he had nowhere else to go.

She was cornered.

— Mariana... — I was a few centimeters away from her, with the syringe in my right hand. — Don't make things more difficult than they need to be.

She throws herself onto the bed and rolls, hoping to get to the other side so she can run to the door. However, before she reached the edge, he was on top of her, his muscular body pressing her against the mattress. With her face buried in the blanket, she could barely breathe. But before she panics, I move her body weight to the side, letting her turn her head to the side. As she breathes, I move, taking the cap off the syringe, getting ready to apply it to her.

— Don't do this, Ravi. — The words came out in a desperate plea.

She knew it was useless to beg, but there was nothing else she could do.

— Please, if you care about me... If you give me this baby, don't do this, please...

I hold my breath, and for a moment a spark of hope appears in it. which was immediately erased when she gently brushed the hair away from the back of his neck, exposing the skin.

— It won't be that bad, Mariana — I murmur. Applying the liquid from the syringe to her neck, feeling her body's resistance gradually disappear.