Ann woke to the smell of coffee and the soft murmur of hushed voices. For a moment, she lay still, her head resting on Adrian's bare chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The events of last night flickered through her mind like forbidden memories—his confession, their tangled bodies, the fragile truth that now bound them closer than any vow.
Carefully, she lifted her head. Adrian was awake, eyes already on her. There was a tired tenderness in them that made her chest tighten.
"Morning," she whispered, brushing her fingers across his jaw.
"Morning, Mrs. Kingston." His voice was rough, deeper than usual. He caught her hand and kissed her palm. "Sleep well?"
She nodded. "Better than I have in weeks."
He smirked. "Good. Because I'm about to ruin it."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
Before he could answer, a knock came at the bedroom door—a sharp, insistent rap that made both of them tense instantly. Adrian's body stiffened, all warmth draining from his eyes as the CEO mask slipped back into place.
"Stay here," he said, his tone cold and commanding.
"Adrian—"
"Ann, please. Just stay."
Reluctantly, she obeyed, pulling the sheets tighter around herself as he slipped into a pair of dark slacks and shrugged on his discarded shirt. He didn't bother to button it as he stalked to the door, his movements a predator's—silent, controlled, deadly.
Ann watched, heart in her throat. She hated how easily he wore that cold armor again.
Adrian cracked the door open, speaking in a voice too low for her to hear. But the other voice—a new one—carried through the slight gap. Deep, smooth, laced with a dangerous amusement.
"Keeping secrets from your wife already, Adrian? That's not very gentlemanly of you."
Ann's blood ran cold. She couldn't see him, but something about that voice made her skin crawl.
Adrian stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him, but not before Ann caught a glimpse of the man standing there. Tall, dark-haired, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed power and poison. And his eyes—God, those eyes had looked right past Adrian and straight at her.
She sat frozen for a moment, pulse racing. Who was he? And why did Adrian look like he'd rather drag the man to the basement than invite him inside?
Unable to sit still, Ann slipped out of bed and padded quietly to the door. She pressed her ear against it, straining to hear.
"…wasn't expecting you here," Adrian's voice, clipped and icy.
The stranger chuckled. "You never expect me. That's the fun part. Congratulations, by the way. She's beautiful—though I suppose beauty was never your problem."
"Say her name again, and I'll break your teeth."
A low whistle. "Relax, cousin. I'm not here to touch your bride. I'm here because we have a problem."
Ann's mind spun. Cousin?
"You shouldn't be here, Leo," Adrian snapped.
"I know. But when I heard what you did last night, I had to see it with my own eyes. Telling her everything, Adrian? Breaking the family code?" Leo's voice dripped with mock pity. "Daddy would be so disappointed."
"I'm not my father."
"No. But you're still your mother's son. And you know what happens to men like us when we get sloppy."
Silence. Then a thud—like a fist hitting the wall.
"You come into my home and threaten me?" Adrian's voice was pure venom.
Leo laughed softly. "Not a threat, cousin. A warning. Word's out. The old wolves want to test you. They'll come for her first."
Ann's breath caught. Her? Me?
Adrian spoke again, quieter now. "If they lay a finger on her—"
"They won't. Unless you give them reason." Leo's tone shifted, darker, like oil in water. "Keep her close. Keep her quiet. And don't make me choose between you and the family."
Then footsteps. A knock—so sudden Ann jumped back from the door.
A heartbeat later, Adrian pushed inside. His eyes found her immediately. He looked furious—and afraid.
"You heard," he said, voice flat.
Ann nodded. "Who was that?"
"My cousin. Leo Kingston." Adrian raked a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged beast. "He works for the old guard. The men who built this empire before I took it from them."
Ann wrapped her arms around herself. "What does he mean—'they'll come for me first'?"
Adrian stopped pacing and stared at her. The raw panic behind his eyes broke her heart more than any truth ever could.
"They think you're my weakness, Ann. They're not wrong."
She crossed the room and grabbed his hands. "Then tell me what to do. Don't shut me out. Don't lock me away."
He laughed bitterly. "You think I'd ever let them touch you? They'd have to kill me first."
"Then let me fight with you!" she snapped, surprising even herself. "Don't you see? They win if I'm just your weakness. Make me your strength instead."
Adrian looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time. Slowly, he cupped her cheek, thumb brushing away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen.
"You're too good for this world," he whispered.
"Maybe." She held his gaze, unflinching. "But I'm already in your world. So teach me how to survive it."
He didn't answer with words. Instead, he kissed her forehead, then her lips—soft, reverent, as if sealing a vow.
When he pulled back, his eyes were steel. "Pack a bag. We're leaving the city."
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Somewhere they can't reach you."
"Adrian—"
"Don't fight me on this, Ann. Not now." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll protect you. Even if it kills me."
She wanted to argue. She wanted to beg him not to drag her deeper into this darkness. But when she looked into his eyes, she realized it was already too late.
She was his. For better or worse. For love or for ruin.
And if the old wolves came for her, they'd find out exactly what kind of beast Adrian Kingston really was.