His Reluctant Bride

ching the sun dip below the horizon. Another day trapped in

ulled her from

oing out

rms crossed over his crisp white dress shirt. He looked as compo

wed her e

nto the room. "Some very important people wil

elf not to react.

a smirk, but his eyes re

u can drag me there, but you can't mak

step, tilting her chin up with his fingers. His to

inst her skin. "You will sit beside me, speak when spoken to,

just enough to ma

e sure you

w fear. Instead, she met his gaze head-on. "You re

d. "No, darli

back, heading toward the door. "

e, Serena exhaled sha

ther night out. This

inner was over, s

in the backseat of the black Rolls-Royce, her hands folded nea

e on her, watching her like

p in front of the restaurant. "Keep that obe

l her eyes, instead flashing

xtending a hand to her. She hesitated for half a second before ta

e restaurant was filled with men in tailored suits and women in glitteri

he room, where three men were already seated-business part

anced at Serena with interest. "Ah, so this is the infamous wife

erena's waist, possessive.

but forced hersel

art. Then

mergers, betrayals, and power moves-while Sere

gaze low, wat

Find an opening. Get

ent was

ian had

tem of her wine glass. She wasn't nervous about

pensive bottles of wine, trays of gourmet dishes,

hen, the hallway leading to the back exit

th yet commanding. "You're quiet," h

a tight smil

er chan

f wine. The glass shattered, red liquid spi

s er

g back as the mess sp

na m

ind a passing waiter, and disappeared

ep. Tw

side door leadin

pushed through, weaving between staff

started, but she ignored him, breaki

it her like a slap a

idn't

eard Adrian's furio

e hell is

stomach

k

as alread

rinted into the dark alley behind the restaurant. Her

emorized the city layout. She just needed to reac

sliced throu

nd

ood ra

an's

saw two large figures in black suits emerg

er veins, but she forc

off her heels and tossing them aside.

ut, their voices

dn't have

et-Adrian wants

pounded. She

w pathway between buildings. Silently, she slipped t

echoed b

were

self to move, keeping to the shad

st t

st f

screeched to a stop at

door sw

ious voice sent a c

the car,

fr

ri

d fou

alley's entrance, its headlights piercing through the darkness like

the car,

n't about t

w. Not

g the burn in her lungs. She could hear the sound of doors

re chas

ge-she knew these stree

are feet barely making a sound against the rough c

t kept

stling main road just ahead.

ee

ween crates and trash bins, lungs burn

stroke

rom a nightclub, laughing and

didn't

ding into their group, her b

, she slipped inside, slamm

g a hundred-dollar bill int

e but didn't argue. The car lurch

dn't dare

ad do

ad es

r

new one thing

never stop

, she might n