25."Marked Territory"

Emma

The climate in this house felt stranger to me than usual.

I didn't know what was worse: being connected to a man who disregarded the law or having slept with him. There was that famous saying that love and hate walked hand in hand, but I couldn't comprehend how someone could feel both simultaneously. It was a fine line.

While the meal was being served, Don and his associate, or perhaps business partner, were discussing yachts, nightclubs, and other frivolous matters. I remained silent at that huge table, with Ize by my side.

"He's quite a looker, isn't he?" Ize whispered in my ear, looking at Derick.

"I didn't notice," I said with honesty.

It was true; I hadn't paid attention. Derick was attractive, an elegant mafioso like Andrew. However, I wasn't interested in men's physical appearances. In the end, they all seemed the same to me. Although I hadn't been involved with many men to say for sure.

All the men who had tried to enter my life were jerks. For instance, the boy I liked t