Chapter 165 Bang Bang Returns 👏

Chapter 165 Bang Bang Returns 👏
"She wouldn't explain." Roanna said and swallowed. "She just kept saying I should be careful."

Marc brushed his thumb over her cheek.

"And your friends?"

Roanna nodded.

"She mentioned them." Her voice dropped again. "She said something could happen to them."

Marc's arms tightened around her.

"Did she threaten them?"

"I don't know." Roanna began crying again. "I don't know anything!"

Marc immediately hugged her. "Shh."

She buried her face against him.

"I'm so confused."

"I know."

"I don't want anything to happen to Iris or Kimberly."

"It won't."

"You don't know that."

"No." He kissed her hair. "But I know you're not alone."

Roanna pulled back. Her eyes were swollen and red. Marc gently wiped her cheeks.

"Look at me."

She did.

"Whatever this woman is trying to do..." He kissed her nose again. "...she doesn't get to decide your life."

Roanna sniffed.

"Really?"

"Really." He planted another kiss on her forehead. "And you don't have to figure everything out tonight."

She nodded. Then she suddenly leaned forward and hugged him again. Marc laughed softly.

"You're becoming very clingy."

"I don't care."

"I noticed."

She squeezed him tighter. He wrapped both arms around her.

"Then stay."

Roanna closed her eyes. She listened to his heartbeat. And for the first time since listening to Clara, the trembling inside her slowly began to settle.

Marc kissed the top of her head.

"You're safe."

Roanna whispered against his chest,

"Thank you."

He held her closer.

"Always."

And Roanna believed him.

Roanna remained tucked against Marc for a while. His heartbeat was steady beneath her cheek and strangely steady.

After everything she'd told him, he didn't seem frightened. He hadn't panicked. He hadn't even looked particularly surprised. Roanna slowly lifted her head.

"Why aren't you scared, though?"

Marc looked down at her. "Scared of what?"

"Everything I just told you."

He smiled.

"Maybe I'm harder to scare than you think."

Roanna narrowed her eyes. "That's suspicious."

Marc chuckled. Before she could question him further, he reached over and gently pinched her cheek.

"Ouch!"

She slapped his hand away, laughing.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because you were thinking too hard. Had to pull you back."

Then he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. Roanna blinked. Marc smiled innocently and said.

"I'm a werewolf."

There was silence. Roanna stared at him.

"What?"

"I'm a werewolf."

She blinked again. Then again.

"Seriously?"

Marc nodded. "Very serious."

Roanna's mouth slowly opened. Then she closed it.

"Huh." She muttered to herself and Marc burst out laughing.

"That's your reaction?"

She shrugged. "I kind of expected it."

His laughter stopped.

"You expected it?"

"Somehow."

Marc stared at her. "How?"

Roanna gestured wildly at him.

"Look at you!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Look at me?"

"Yes!"

She pointed at his face.

"Your face!" Then his shoulders. "Your body!"

Then his eyes.

"Your whole.... everything!"

Marc started laughing again.

"That is not an explanation." He said.

"It is!"

"No, it isn't."

He caught her hands before she could continue gesturing.

"Tell me."

Roanna became embarrassed. "I don't know."

"Tell me."

She looked away.

"You're just...." She started and stopped herself.

"What?"

"Too beautiful."

Marc's eyebrows rose. "Too beautiful to be human?"

Roanna covered her face.

"I didn't say that!"

"You basically did."

"Shut up."

He laughed and pulled her closer. Roanna reluctantly smiled against his shoulder.

"You really are ridiculous." She said, poutily.

"And yet you're here."

She looked up at him. "Unfortunately."

"Sure."

He cuddled her even closer. For a moment, the fear from earlier disappeared.Then Roanna remembered something.

"So...."

"Hm?"

"Where's your pack?"

Marc's expression changed slightly.

"You'll meet them."

"When?"

"Soon. Really soon."

Roanna studied him.

"You're not going to tell me anything, are you?"

"Not all at once."

She sighed. "Fine."

But another thought came to her.

"Why are you here though?"

Marc looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Why aren't you with your pack?"

He was silent and Roanna continued.

"And how come you're just here?"

She frowned.

"Especially if you're a werewolf."

Her voice became quieter.

"Wouldn't Armari sense you?"

Marc's expression remained calm.

"Eventually."

"And other packs?"

"Possibly."

Roanna shivered.

"That scares me." She gasped.

Marc immediately tightened his arms around her.

"You don't have to be afraid of me."

"I know." She hesitated. "But it's all so strange."

"What is?"

She looked into his eyes.

"Everything." She swallowed.

"Do you remember when I told you about that picture?"

Marc's expression became more attentive.

"The one your brother drew?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Norman drew it."

"Your younger brother, huh?"

"Yes." Roanna's voice became softer. "He drew you."

Marc went completely still. Roanna didn't notice immediately. She nuzzled against his shoulder.

"He drew your face before I even knew you existed and I was immediately intrigued.... I was obsessed."

Marc stared ahead. His mind was clearly working. Roanna lifted her head.

"Don't think too much about it." Marc said and looked down at her.

"How can I not?"

"Because maybe it's just fate."

She smiled.

"Maybe somehow I was always supposed to meet you."

Marc didn't answer. Roanna touched his cheek.

"Don't worry about it."

His eyes remained thoughtful. She cuddled closer. Then she remembered her earlier question.

"But seriously...."

Marc sighed softly. "Here we go."

"Why are you away from your pack? You didn't tell me."

He looked at her.

"And why aren't they looking for you?"

Roanna's brow furrowed.

"Wouldn't Armari or the other packs smell you? And if they do, won't you be deemed as an intruder?"

Marc smiled faintly.

"They might."

"Then why aren't you worried?"

"I know how to stay hidden."

Roanna's expression tightened.

"That doesn't make me less scared."

Marc's smile disappeared. She lowered her eyes.

"I'm starting to realize how little I actually know about you."

He gently lifted her chin.

"Then ask."

"Thenl answer me, Marc. Why are you hiding?"

Marc stared into her eyes. For the first time since she'd arrived, he didn't immediately have an answer.

Roanna noticed. Her voice became barely audible.

"Marc...."

He brushed his thumb over her cheek.

"You don't have to be afraid of me."

She nodded slowly.

"I want to believe that."

Marc pulled her into his arms again.

"You can."

Roanna closed her eyes. She wanted to believe him. More than she wanted to admit. And as she rested against him, Marc stared silently over her head.

Her brother had drawn his face before meeting him. Clara had frightened her. Pete had reacted strangely to her. And now Roanna was beginning to ask questions.

For the first time, Marc wondered whether his interest in Roanna had become much more complicated than he'd expected. Because Roanna wasn't supposed to become someone he cared about.

She was supposed to be just another girl.

Nothing more.

But as she curled closer to him, he found himself holding her tighter and feeling that sweet warmth that evolved from her chest out.

Marc remained quiet for a moment before gently brushing his fingers through Roanna's hair.

"There's something I want from you."

Roanna looked up. "What?"

"Keep us private for now."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Private?"

"You can tell your friends you're seeing someone."

He smiled faintly.

"But don't tell them where I live. Don't bring them here. Don't give them details about my pack or where I go."

Roanna studied him. "Why?"

"I'm not settled yet." He shrugged casually. "And I don't want people showing up before I'm ready."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You're suspicious."

Marc laughed.

"Am I?"

"Very."

Roanna poked his stomach. Then poked him again.

"You're definitely hiding something."

He caught her hand.

"It's just my preference."

She smiled. "And you'll actually meet them?"

"Of course."

"When?"

"Soon." He squeezed her fingers. "I'll meet your friends myself. Properly."

Roanna's suspicion faded into a pleased smile.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

She nodded happily. "Okay."

Marc smiled.

"Good."

Roanna leaned against him. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Marc kissed her. She smiled into it, relaxing against him as his arms wrapped around her.

The kiss deepened for a moment before Marc's attention shifted toward her. Roanna's breathing became uneven. When his hand began roaming beyond what she was comfortable with, she gently caught his hand.

"Wait."

Marc stopped immediately. He looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

Roanna lowered her eyes.

"I...."

She swallowed.

"I'm not ready for that yet."

His expression softened.

"Okay."

Just like that. No argument. No disappointment and no pressure. He simply pulled her back into his arms and Roanna looked at him, almost surprised.

"You don't mind?"

"Of course not."

He kissed her forehead.

"I told you. We don't have to rush."

She smiled shyly. "Thank you."

Marc held her close.

"Whenever you're ready."

Roanna rested her cheek against his chest. And once again, that feeling of safety settled over her.





IRIS'S POV

By the time school ended, I was still thinking about Clara. I met Armari at closing after bading Kimberly bye and by the way he was staring at me, I had to walk over for inquiries.

Well, without further ado, he turned around sharply and I followed him toward the car, watching him from the corner of my eye.

He seemed unusually quiet. I finally climbed in beside him and looked around.

There was something still feeling wrong. And so, I frowned.

"Where's my driver?" I asked.

Armari didn't even look at me. He only replied with a straight face.

"I sacked him."

My mouth fell open.

"You what?!"

He calmly started the car.

"Armari!"

"Iris."

"You fired my driver?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"We'll talk about it later."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"You can't just fire people because you feel like it!"

He glanced at me briefly.

"I can."

"That's not the point!"

"I know."

"Then why did you do it?"

He sighed.

"Because I had reasons."

"What reasons?"

"I said we'll talk about it later."

I folded my arms.

"You're impossible and so frustrating and abnormally secretive."

"I've heard that before."

I glared at him.

"And where exactly am I supposed to get another driver? I thought you said I'd get killed if I walk home."

"You aren't getting another driver and you're not walking home."

I turned sharply.

"What?"

He finally looked at me.

"I'm taking you myself."

I blinked. "For.... for how long?"

"Until I decide otherwise."

I stared at him for a long moment.

"That's even worse!"

A tiny smile tugged at his mouth.

"You're very dramatic."

"I'm serious!"

"I know."

He turned his attention back to the road.

"Now relax."

I huffed and looked out the window. For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then I remembered his promise.

"You said you had a surprise."

"I do."

"What is it?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Is that woman part of it?"

His hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Because she looked like she knew me."

Armari's expression hardened. "We'll talk about Clara too."

I sighed and he glanced at me.

"Because today isn't the day for all of them."

I looked at him suspiciously.

"Why?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he drove on. And somehow, the silence that followed felt much heavier than before.





GENERAL/OMNISCIENT POV:

The gates opened slowly as Armari's car approached. Iris looked through the window at the enormous estate. She had been here before, but something about today felt different.

Armari parked and Iris immediately reached for the door handle. But before she could open it, Armari was already stepping out.

He walked around the car. Then opened her door. She blinked.

"You waited for me?"

He gave her a look. "Apparently."

Iris smiled faintly.

"How gentlemanly."

"Don't get used to it."

She laughed under her breath and stepped out. Armari didn't walk ahead of her. He waited. Then they entered the mansion together.

Iris glanced around.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere private."

"Why?"

"You'll see."

They passed through several corridors. Then another. And another. Iris's curiosity slowly turned into confusion.

She had been inside this mansion countless times. She knew most of the rooms. But Armari was taking her somewhere she'd never seen.

"Where exactly are you taking me?"

"The deepest part of the house."

She stopped. "What?"

He turned.

"Come on. Keep walking or do you need help?"

Iris hurried after him. The corridor became quieter. The walls changed. There were fewer paintings and there were fewer doors. It almost felt like they were moving into a completely different section of the mansion.

Iris suddenly remembered something.

"Where's your mother?" She asked.

Armari didn't stop.

"Why?" He asked back.

"I haven't seen her."

"You don't need to worry about my mother."

Iris frowned.

"What?"

"Think about yours."

The words hit harder than he probably intended. Iris stopped walking and Armari finally noticed.

She looked away. Her voice became quiet.

"I don't know what you're getting at but I don't have one."

He turned and Iris swallowed.

"Not really." Her eyes stung. "My mother left."

Armari's expression changed slightly.

"Iris...."

"She left." She forced a laugh. "So I guess I'm supposed to stop worrying about mothers. Especially yours."

He stared at her. Then his expression softened.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know." She wiped beneath one eye, hoping there was no tear.

"It's fine."

Armari looked at her for a moment. Then he continued walking. Iris followed quietly.

A few moments later, they reached the end of the corridor. There was a massive pair of wooden swing doors. Iris stared at them.

"What's behind there?"

Armari didn't answer. Instead, he placed one hand against the door. Then pushed. The enormous doors slowly swung open and Iris stepped forward.... and froze.

Her breath disappeared and her eyes widened.

Her entire body went cold. Standing inside the room.... was a man.

A man she had spent years believing was helpless. A man she had believed needed her protection. A man she had mourned in silence every time she thought about the things his illness had taken from him.

Her father.

Pete....

But he wasn't sitting in a wheelchair. He wasn't lying helplessly in bed. He was standing. Straight and strong and so alive.

Iris couldn't move. Her lips parted.

"Dad...?"

Pete slowly lifted his head. Their eyes met. And the entire world seemed to stop.





IRIS'S POV:

"Dad...?"

The word barely left my lips. Pete stared at me. For several seconds, neither of us moved. Then I noticed something.

His shirt was slightly open at the chest and there was a thick bandage wrapped around his side. My eyes narrowed, my head going heavy in terror.

"What happened to you?"

Pete's expression changed. I looked at Armari. Then back at my father.

"Why are you injured?"

Nobody answered. My heart began pounding. I took a step toward Pete.

"Why are you injured?"

Pete lowered his eyes. And something inside me snapped.

"Armari, what has happened to Pete?"

He remained silent.

"Did you do that?"

His jaw tightened.

"Iris...."

"Did you?!"

He finally looked at me.

"Yes."

My entire body went cold.

"You shot him?"

"Many times. But I had a reason."

"You shot my father?!"

"Iris...."

"You shot my father!"

My voice echoed through the enormous room and even Pete flinched. I looked between them, completely stunned.