His Reluctant Bride

ing at the key Adrian had given her. Sh

uld wa

what

n men in dark suits stationed at every exit

she had

prisoner in this m

stood and crossed the room, ca

lway wa

tious step forward, her bare feet s

ickly, her p

just make i

a corner

ay, leaning casually against the wal

s gleamed wi

e?" he asked, his voi

breath

ad k

expecte

cape plan had fallen apart

ightened around th

ut she knew it was useless. Adr

strode toward her, his move

ust a foot away from her. "Did you rea

her spine. "I though

where exactly were

he had no plan b

retched be

then reached out, tucking a loo

y from his touch,

urmured. "But you don't seem t

d hard. "And

s eyes

erena. Until I

s tone sent a shiv

lost thi

war wasn

t

curled into fis

y Adrian spoke-l

re than a piece of prop

fiantly. "And if I

her question. Then, in a swift motion, h

s firm, but

arp wave of awarene

murmured. "Your father made sure of th

hand free. "My fat

an cut in smoothly. "And now

ration. "You can't keep

said anything about k

ws furrowed

, stepping even closer. "You want fre

warily. "What

ickered with som

e next six months. No running,

s heart

?" she asked

eepened. "Then I

eath c

too good

this nightmare began, a small sl

willing to make a d

n with the weight

mo

survive

ife-playing the role he wanted, wi

ened. "What happ

his voice dropped to something dark, so

," he said smoothly. "Fo

ing. A

ly. "Why would you m

yes. "Let's just say I enjoy watc

alms. He was playing wit

choice di

hs was a

cape

Adrian, maybe-just mayb

she met his gaze.

n's eyes, as if he hadn't ex

er, towering ov

ground, refusi

said, her voice steady. "But don't t

amusement. "I wouldn't

grew heavy, thick w

ad just stepped i

Ad

ady three s

tretched, charged with som

greed to

of being Ad

of playin

eadable. Then, he reached into his poc

ded it

nked. "Wha

"You wanted freedom? Call some

itched. Was

y, she took the p

as she scrolled thr

name she wanted t

d lifted the phone to her

rang on

h

er's voice was sof

behind her ey

l disco

stomach

hone away, stari

blo

drian, her blood

u really think I'd let

nched into fists.

g closer. "No, Serena. I

inst her chin, tilting

my world. And I

cted to his touch, the way his de

ost o

an De Luca had alre

ded as she clutched

sharp eyes taking in every flicker of anger, fru

, to throw the phone

't give him th

ression into cold indifference. "So, what no

You agreed to my terms, which means you'l

ecause blocking my calls defin

and, Serena. You can have certai

arms. "And wh

ce suffocating. "Rule number one: You

aw cl

outside contact wit

mp in her throat. "So,

prisoner? Or a woman who si

ared a

u will behave like my wife in public. No tantru

. "And if I br

against her cheek-a touch too

er. "Then I'll remind

s breat

r mind-Adrian De Luca wa

a dange

was trapped

r palms as she swallowed t

rules w

leaving without him.

rol her, to remind her that she wasn'

obey without a fight,

uiet, obedient little wife," Serena m

ly confident. "Oh, I expect you to fig

omach

u

this was to

You can keep me here, bu

th warm against her ear. "

a sti

nside of her wrist, his

prisoner," he murmured. "Not wh

s heart

he spoke with absolut

briefest second,

ver really

a break her in ways sh

ed away, refusing to let him see

behind her. "C

dn't r

y, she heard his fina

ways

ide their shared bedroom. The estate stretched before her, bathed in th

ca

oss

s place was desig

deep in her chest, a w

hrough her veins. "This isn't a marriage," she muttere

ough the quiet. "You s

ainst the doorway, watching her. His tailore

n control, while she fe

just accept th

uffocating. "I think you'll learn that

'd rather fight than be y

ickering in his gaze. "Good. I'

rply, glaring a

nt. Then, in a voice so low it sen

only one who makes

breath

the way he looked at her-like she was

w much she wante

ad no intention