"Just checking in. Making sure you're still alive under all this domesticity." He grins. "Want me to plan a guys' night? Remind you what freedom feels like?"
"I'm fine."
"You’re different.”
"I'm the same."
"You're really not." He leans against the doorframe. "But if you want to keep pretending, that's fine. I'll just enjoy watching this play out."
“Nothing is playing out,” I say, walking past him and heading towards my office. “Sera is my wife. Forever.”
"And you are utterly in love and devoted to her.”
I pause. "I care, obviously.”
He laughs. "Adrian. You spent three hours baby shopping. On a Saturday. You haven't checked your phone once. And you just looked at her like she hung the fucking moon." He shakes his head. "You're gone, brother."
"I'm managing my investment."
"Is that what we're calling it?" He laughs. "Look, I'm happy for you. Really. She's good for you.”
"Fuck off."
"I'm serious. She's smart. Strategic. She's learning to play, and you're teaching her." He pauses. "But Adrian, keep your head on straight. We have enemies, and they can smell blood.”
His words settle uncomfortably in my chest.
"I’m aware, Luc.”
He straightens. "Just... be careful."
He leaves, and I stand there processing his words.
He's wrong.
I'm not falling for her.
I'm in control. I'm managing the situation. I'm giving her small freedoms to keep her compliant while maintaining ultimate authority.
That's all this is.
The fact that I enjoyed today? That I liked watching her face light up? That I wanted to buy her everything in the store just to see her smile?
That's just... strategic investment.
Right?
That night, I don't wait for her to initiate.
I find her in her workroom, bent over a manuscript Antonio sent over. She's wearing reading glasses I've never seen before, hair piled on top of her head, completely absorbed in her work.
"Bedroom. Now."
She looks up, surprised. "I'm in the middle of?—"
"I don't care. Bedroom. Now."
Something flashes in her eyes. Recognition. Challenge.
