"I'll make sure you never want for anything, angel. Not ever." It's not seduction, but an oath—unbreakable. "That's my vow to you. More binding than the one in that chapel."
She's silent for a long moment, processing my words. I read every flicker of emotion in her eyes—fear, confusion, but also something else. Something warmer.
"I don't need a provider." Her chin lifts slightly. "I have a job. An apartment. A life."
"And you can keep all of it, if that's what you want."
"But?"
Smart girl. She hears what I'm not saying.
"But I want you with me."
"In your bed." It's not a question.
I run my hand up her arm, feeling goosebumps rise beneath my palm. "Eventually. When you're ready. Not before."
Surprise flashes across her face. She expected demands. Force, maybe. Instead, I'm offering patience. It's shocking me too, if I'm honest. Patience isn't my strong suit. Decades of iron control built an empire, but this trembling girl has already stolen the reins—and disturbingly, I love the feel of her holding them.
"What if I'm never ready?" she challenges, but her dilated pupils betray her.
My lips curve into a small smile. "You will be."
The limo slows, turning onto a private drive that leads to my building. Sharon looks out the window, takes in the gleaming tower piercing the Vegas skyline.
"Is that..."
"Home," I finish for her. "For now."
Her hand lands on my chest, above my heart. Testing. Feeling its beat. I wonder if she can tell it's pounding harderthan it should be, harder than it has in years. Harder than when bullets have flown past my head.
"I'm scared," she whispers, the admission so honest it makes my chest ache.
I cover her hand with mine, press it more firmly against my heart. "Don't be."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who just accidentally married a stranger."
"I'm not a stranger." I bring her hand to my lips, kiss her palm. "I'm your husband."
The word feels right in my mouth. Feels like something I've been waiting to say my whole life without knowing it.
Her breath catches. "This is crazy."
"Yes."
"We should get an annulment."
"If that's what you want tomorrow, I won't stop you."
"And tonight?"
"Tonight," I say, as the car stops in front of my building, "I just want you to feel safe. To rest. To know that you're protected."
The driver opens the door. I shift Sharon carefully off my lap, steadying her before I step out and offer my hand to help her from the car. She takes it, hesitant but trusting, and something primal in me roars with satisfaction.
She's small beside me, the top of her head barely reaching my shoulder. Delicate. Breakable. And now she's mine to protect.
I guide her inside, my hand at the small of her back—not pushing, just steadying. Reassuring. The security team in the lobby straightens as I enter, eyes widening slightly at the sight of Sharon beside me. I nod once, a clear message: this woman is under my protection now.
