His Reluctant Bride

of a powerful businessman, living a life of luxury. The next, she was standing at the g

d among the elite had gambled away everything-their fortune, their home,

sband-

he cold evening air bit into her skin, but she barely felt it. All she could fee

s. The sprawling mansion sat atop a cliff, overlooking an endless expanse of ocean. Waves c

glance as he stepped out and pressed the intercom.

g her

th an ominous groan, the

rembling against her coat. Every step felt heavier than

t doors swung open, S

as t

n De

nce that demanded contr

s chest. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline looked like it had been carved fr

place, stripping her bare

an she was sup

r heart pounding so hard it hu

ak, her father's voice r

be resp

rned to glare at the man wh

-proud shoulders sagged, his face lined with shame. But Serena felt no pity. He had ruined their

le, low and mocking. "She do

her fists. "Be

humor in it. "I don't need your happi

edience". As if she were a pet he had purchase

e shaking. "Serena, this is the onl

wall and stepped for

like a

iberate.

ce between them. He was even more intimidating

drian said, his voice low and laced with ven

her heart slamming against

e bit out, lifting her chin in

slow and knowing. "W

mere business transaction. "I expect the paperwork to be final

glassy with relief. "Tha

aze darken

ena. She stared back, her heart aching with b

ather turned and disa

lammed shut

was t

et herself cry. She wouldn't give Adria

tall, meeting his

asked, her voice

gleamed with s

oice a quiet threat. "Now, you

very instinct screa

as nowhere

ge had

De Luca h

ed Arthur Moretti's dep

of her situation pressed down on her. The walls of Adrian'

atching her-

ce was smooth, yet l

didn'

floors and golden chandeliers that cast an eerie glow over the space. It was

huckle. "You're alread

ou said I belong to you, but that

ng more dangerous. He stepped closer, his to

Serena. You will act like m

back down. "A

ce a whisper against her

her, but she maske

ide slow, calculated. "You have two choices-either y

ails digging into her palms.

ed herself to move, followin

were adorned with priceless paintings, and elegant sconces cast flickering

hed open a set of m

ur room," h

d inside and

h silk sheets, a fireplace crackling in the c

utiful. Br

e saw were the

st the doorframe, w

d here," he said. "Clothes, toi

ply. "What I requi

iberate. "That's the on

ou can't keep me locke

the luxurious room. "You'r

e?" she c

eyes darkening. "Th

cted it, but hearing the confirmation s

as tr

this mansion was, it was nothin

n left, Serena t

ck

cou

e room, her mind racing for an esca

anded on t

s open. A rush of cold air hit her, but she didn't care.

oward the sea, the waves crashing vio

he sides of the mansion. If she co

ke through

to run a

, her heart jumpin

s hands in his pockets,

mn

etting fresh

s slow, know

stepped forward, closing

murmured, his fingers grazing the balcony

refusing to let

ping. "You can fight all you want, sw

unded. "You

hen, to her surprise, he reached out an

t y

walked away, leaving her standing in

hed the balc

wasn'

d find a

er what

had left. The wind howled through the cliffs

were a storm

're

nd, taunting her. No, she

way to leave. Adrian De Luca had stripped her of everything

ldn't l

back inside and surveyed the room

he nightstand

pressed the power button. Her heart pounded as

sig

cou

onto the bed

s house was desig

t in thought. But eventually, exhaustion cr

p, not in his house, bu

re she drifted off was the

pr

the scent of fresh coffee and somet

aw a tray on the nightstand beside her bed-a pla

ed the no

l need your

led the pape

auda

stormed to the door, trying

't let her roam free

her frustration, the door

r swung open, revealing a wo

oretti," the woman sa

ightened. "

r. De Luca has aske

rms. "Assist me? Or

De Luca wishes to see

sted. She wasn't rea

had no

ped forward, her spine strai

sive bride, he was going

nding staircase and into

one place was set-at the head of the ta

werful he looked, as if he ow

her and smirked.

r chin. "I wa

to the chair b

nowhere. She settled into the chair, but ma

etched between them bef

tried to escap

s jaw c

, smirking. "I admire your

You can keep me here, bu

yes unreadable. Then, to her s

ol you, Serena. You'll

"That will

ng forward, his voice

ked. What the hell

d demand answer

ss to attend to," he said, adjus

hating the way h

" His voice was smooth, but laced w

e out of the room,

lenched

wasn'

a lon

d find a

De Luca would regret ever