I didn’t lose anything. I claimed her. Branded her. Bought her. And now I get to do whatever I want to the one woman who wanted me caged more than anyone.
She doesn’t realize it yet, but I’m going to enjoy this marriage more than she can possibly fathom. If I ever divorce her, it will be because I’ve grown tired of the fire in her eyes. But something tells me I never will.
Because giving her freedom again? Letting her have the life she thought she would build for herself? That future is dead.She’s bound to me now. Tight as a knot that can’t be undone. Fused through blood, betrayal, and the sweet taste of revenge.
That’s who we are. What we will always be.
“When will this sham of a marriage be official?” The words scrape up her throat like they physically hurt.
I grin, and the flare of fury in her eyes only makes it sweeter. “A week. At my home. Invite whoever you want. The more the merrier, wife.”
A muscle pops in her chin at the word.
She’ll get used to it. In time.
“So, this won’t be some big wedding or anything, right? Just your family, I assume?”
I tilt my head, catching the flicker of panic in her eyes. No, I hadn’t planned on anything grand. I was going to keep it simple.
But now? Now I want the whole world to watch.
“Of course it will be big,” I say smoothly, savoring the sharp breath she pulls in. “Everyone I know will be there. When a Marinov gets married, it’s a big occasion.”
She stiffens like she’s bracing for impact. “One week isn’t enough time to plan something like that.”
I lean in, lowering my voice just enough to make her nerves prickle. “Then you don’t know my family. It will be done.”
My hand lifts, fingers curling under her chin, thumb dragging over the softness of her bottom lip. My cock throbs at the contact. At the faint tremor in her breath.
That mouth. I’ve tasted it. Claimed it. But I want more. So much more.
Now it’s mine. To own. To ruin. To savor.
It’s a sickness, this obsession. But I’ve stopped trying to cure it.
I force myself to step back before I lose control. She has that effect, making my blood run hot.
“I’m not wearing a wedding dress.” She plants a hand on her hip like she’s still in charge of something.
A dry laugh escapes me. “I would much prefer if you wore nothing at all, but since I cannot have everything I want, you’ll be a good little wife and put on a gown. In fact…” I check my watch. “The gown I chose for our special day should be arriving at your place in about two hours.”
Her mouth drops open. “What?!”
My knuckles drift down her cheek, my gaze taking in every inch of her. Every defiant, filthy, beautiful inch.
“Nowas never an option for you, I’m afraid.”
She flinches, though desire flickers through her like a traitor.
“I took the liberty of choosing ivory. I remember how good it looked on you.”
Her eyes narrow. “How the hell do you even know my size?”
I smirk.
She groans, shoving my arm. “You are actually insane. It’s a tragedy I never managed to put you behind bars.”
“Ah, but then we wouldn’t have our happy little union. And that, detka, would’ve been the real crime.” I cup her cheek again.
