Page 31 of King of Pride

“Are you going to create more problems for me?” he asked sharply. “You’ve already caused more trouble than necessary, and you’re still going to argue with me. What’s the problem with marrying him?”

He pointed toward Maverick.

Rose's eyes instinctively shifted toward him.

The moment their gazes met, the look in Maverick's eyes made her body go rigid. She immediately took a small step backward and let out an awkward laugh before turning her head away.

Her gaze dropped to her feet.

‘What is wrong with him?’

Her father was asking her to marry him. He was practically walking her toward a blade and then asking why she was afraid to put her hand on it.

Rose lifted her head again, ready to refuse the marriage.

But the moment she looked at Maverick, she caught the expression on his face.

It was enough to make her fear for her life.

She swallowed hard.

“All right,” she finally said. “Then I’ll marry him, Dad.”

Oswald's expression immediately relaxed, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Maverick's expression changed too.

For the briefest moment, the stern, cold look that had terrified her only seconds ago faded into something she couldn't quite recognize.

Then he reached for her hand, his fingers closing firmly around hers, and pulled her toward the door.

Two hours later, Rose and Maverick stood beside the sleek Mercedes they had arrived in. The car was as elegant and imposing as its owner, with glossy black windows and a luxurious brown interior that looked both refined and expensive.

Rose stood beside the car, staring down at the marriage certificate in her hands.

Her eyes repeatedly returned to the name printed across the document.

Maverick Bishop.

The name alone was enough to scare the living daylights out of most people.

Especially her.

She had already been intimidated by him before this. Now his name was written right beside hers, officially making him her husband.

And she was going to have to live with him for the rest of her life.

The thought alone sent a tremor through her.

But then Rose hardened her expression.

She refused to let herself be intimidated.

Turning around, she looked up at Maverick and stepped directly into his space. Her arms fell loosely at her sides before one hand slowly rose toward his face.

She caught his jaw playfully and gave him a smug smile.

“Now you're under my control,” she announced in a deliberately dominant voice. “Since you've married into my family, you're going to do as I say, Maverick Bishop.”