Chapter 27 - The Silent Guard
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Marcus stood in the pouring rain, watching the perimeter of the estate.
He had been Victor Blackwood’s right hand for almost fifteen years.
He had seen the rise of the empire.
He had survived the brutal wars.
He had witnessed the slow, painful transformation of a monster into a man.
And through it all, Marcus had remained exactly the same.
A shadow.
A shield.
A weapon waiting to be unsheathed.
Victor walked out onto the covered veranda, holding two mugs of hot coffee.
He handed one to Marcus.
“You have a security team of fifty men, Marcus. You don't need to stand in the rain.”
Marcus took the mug, his eyes never stopping their scan of the tree line.
“The men are young. They get distracted. I don't.”
Victor stood beside him, watching the heavy rain wash over the manicured lawns.
“You are getting older, my friend.”
Marcus scoffed quietly.
“I am exactly as old as I need to be.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a long moment.
“Why do you stay?” Victor asked suddenly.
Marcus looked at him, slightly surprised by the question.
“Because it is my job.”
“It stopped being just a job a decade ago,” Victor noted. “You have enough money in your offshore accounts to buy a private island. You could retire. Start a family. Live in peace.”
Marcus took a slow sip of the black coffee.
He looked back out at the rain.
“I don't know how to live in peace, Victor. I am a soldier.”
Victor looked at his oldest friend.
He understood the curse of loyalty.
“You protected me when I didn't deserve it,” Victor said softly. “You protected Lily. You protect my son.”
“Ethan is a good kid,” Marcus muttered, a rare, microscopic smile touching his lips. “He drew a picture of me yesterday. Made me look like a superhero.”
Victor laughed quietly.
“You are his superhero, Marcus. But I want you to know something.”
Marcus turned to look at him.
“You don't owe me your life anymore,” Victor stated with absolute sincerity. “If you ever want to walk away, the door is open. With my blessing.”
Marcus held his gaze for a long time.
Then, he looked back at the perimeter.
“I'll let you know if I ever get tired of the rain,” Marcus replied.
Victor nodded, clapping his hand firmly on Marcus’s shoulder before heading back inside.
He knew Marcus would never leave.
May you like
Because family was not always about blood.
Sometimes, it was about the men who stood in the storm so you could sleep in the warm.
