Chapter 20 - Marcus's Vigil
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The integration of Leo Vance into the Costello household was seamless, largely due to the absolute, unyielding security perimeter established by Marcus.
Late one evening, Marcus stood in the estate's high-tech command center, watching the glowing monitors that displayed every angle of the property's perimeter. He sipped a cup of black coffee, his sharp eyes scanning for anomalies.
The heavy steel door hissed open, and Luca walked in, his braces clicking methodically against the floor. He carried two fresh coffees, handing one to his head of security.
"You haven't slept in two days, Marcus," Luca noted, leaning his crutches against the control console and resting his weight on the desk. "The European board members aren't going to send assassins across the Atlantic for a nineteen-year-old kid. They are cowards."
"Cowards are unpredictable, boss," Marcus replied, accepting the coffee. "They don't fight face-to-face. They look for weaknesses. It's my job to ensure you don't have any."
Luca looked at the monitors. On one screen, the infrared camera showed the dark, quiet woods surrounding the estate. On another, an interior camera showed Maya and Leo sitting in the grand kitchen, laughing over a massive bowl of popcorn while Elena baked cookies.
"Look at that screen, Marcus," Luca said softly, pointing to the kitchen feed. "Ten years ago, this command center was used to coordinate hostile takeovers and monitor rival cartels. Today, we are using million-dollar technology to make sure my daughter and her cousin can eat popcorn in peace."
Marcus cracked a rare, genuine smile, looking at the screen.
"It's a better use of the hardware, sir."
"It is," Luca agreed, turning to face his oldest friend. "You kept me alive when I was paralyzed and wanted to die. You fought Sterling’s men in the dark so I could rebuild in the light. But the war is over, Marcus. You don't have to be a soldier anymore. You can just be a protector."
Marcus looked down at his coffee cup, the profound weight of Luca's words settling deep into his chest. For years, he had operated on pure adrenaline and paranoia, always waiting for the next knife in the dark.
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"I've hired five new security specialists for the Foundation," Marcus finally said, his voice quiet. "They aren't enforcers, Luca. They are ex-law enforcement. They know how to de-escalate. They know how to make the domestic abuse survivors feel safe without making them feel imprisoned."
"That is exactly what we need," Luca smiled, clapping a heavy, grateful hand onto Marcus’s shoulder. "Go get some sleep, Marcus. The fortress is secure."
