Jay-Jay(POV)
I freshened up and took a deep breath before slowly opening the bathroom door.
Carefully.
Very carefully.
I peeked outside first to check if Kiefer was still there.
The room was silent.
Too silent.
Suspiciously silent.
I stepped out quietly, trying not to make a sound.
One step.
Two steps.
Then suddenly—
Strong arms wrapped around me from behind.
I gasped softly.
"Looking for me?" Kiefer whispered near my ear.
My breath caught instantly.
He had just showered.
He was wearing only a dark bathrobe loosely tied around his waist, and cold water droplets from his damp hair fell onto my neck slowly.
The contrast between the cold water and his warm body behind me made me shiver.
"Kiefer," I breathed out weakly.
"Hm?"
His voice rumbled softly against my ear while his arms tightened around my waist.
I could smell soap, shampoo, and him.
Dangerous combination.
"Where did you go?" I asked, trying very hard to sound normal.
Kiefer hummed softly behind me.
"I needed to cool down," he admitted calmly. "So I took a bath."
But his grip around my waist was still tight.
Very tight.
Which completely ruined the whole calm gentleman act he was trying to maintain.
I swallowed nervously.
Then my eyes accidentally lifted toward the mirror in front of us—
…and immediately became a problem.
Because the reflection staring back at me was completely unfair.
Kiefer stood behind me with damp hair, looking like he had just walked out of some luxury shampoo advertisement. No—worse. Hotter. Sexier.
Honestly, he looked better than most actors.
That sharp jawline, those dark eyes, the effortless way he carried himself… if Kiefer ever decided to enter the film industry, he wouldn't just become famous.
He would rule it. He noticed me staring again.
Of course he did.
His eyes met mine through the mirror.
Then slowly—
dangerously—
A smirk appeared on his lips.
Oh no.
He leaned closer toward my ear until I could feel his breath against my skin.
"Fall for me again," he whispered.
My heartbeat completely lost control.
Why did this idiot know me so well?
Like he could read every single thought passing through my mind.
I stayed quiet.
Which apparently answered him enough.
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Don't think too hard, Jay," he murmured while brushing his nose lightly against my hair. "You're my wife."
His arms tightened slightly around me.
"Of course, I know you."
Something about the way he said it—
so confident.
So certain.
Like understanding me was the most natural thing in the world—
made my chest ache softly.
I looked down quickly, trying to hide my face again.
Big mistake.
Because Kiefer noticed immediately.
"There she goes," he teased gently. "Getting shy again."
"I'm not shy."
"Hm."
"You're just… distracting."
That actually made him laugh quietly.
Then he turned me around slowly until I was facing him completely.
His fingers tilted my chin upward gently.
"And you," he murmured while staring directly into my eyes, "have absolutely no idea what you do to me."
"Kiefer," I said carefully. "I need to get ready. Don't you remember we have a party to attend?"
I was very obviously trying to change the topic.
Kiefer noticed immediately.
"Hm," he hummed knowingly.
Which was annoying.
Very annoying.
He walked toward the closet casually and started looking through the dresses.
"Kiefer," I asked suspiciously, "what are you doing?"
"Selecting a dress for my wife."
That should've sounded sweet.
Unfortunately—
This was Kiefer.
He pulled out one dress after another.
Every single one exposed my neck.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
"Kiefer!"
"Hm?"
"Why the hell are all these dresses open at the neck?" I demanded. "You already left marks everywhere. I need to cover them!"
Kiefer looked completely unashamed.
Actually—
worse.
He looked proud.
"Jay…" he said slowly while looking at my neck. "It's such a waste to cover them."
I stared at him in horror.
"You're shameless."
"Hm." A smirk appeared on his lips. "If I can't be shameless with my wife, then who exactly am I supposed to be shameless with?"
My face burned instantly.
This man had absolutely no survival instincts.
I groaned dramatically and pushed past him before grabbing a high-neck dress myself.
"This one."
Kiefer looked deeply offended.
"That dress is criminal."
"It's called dignity."
"It's called hiding my hard work."
"KIEFER!"
He laughed quietly while sitting against the edge of the bed, clearly entertained by my suffering.
I quickly held the dress against myself.
"Kiefer, I need to change."
"Hm."
He made absolutely no move to leave.
I narrowed my eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"You're literally staring at me."
"I'm appreciating my wife."
"You need to appreciate your wife from outside the room."
Kiefer leaned back against the bed lazily like he owned the place.
Which technically—
He did.
"Jay," he said calmly, "it's not like I haven't seen anything before."
I froze immediately.
"Remember we already made—"
I threw a pillow directly at his face before he could finish the sentence.
That asshole caught it effortlessly.
Then he looked at me with the most entertained expression imaginable.
"Jay…" he sighed dramatically. "You're getting violent."
"You deserve it."
"Hm. Still cute."
I pointed toward the door aggressively.
"OUT."
Kiefer stared at me for a long second.
Then slowly—
very slowly—
His eyes traveled over my face again before he stood up with a chuckle.
"Fine," he said while walking toward the door. "But if you choose the ugly high-neck dress…"
He opened the door and looked back at me with a dangerous little smile.
"…I'll personally remove it later."
Then he walked out before I could throw another pillow at him.
I narrowed my eyes at the closed door.
"Unbelievable," I muttered.
But suddenly—
The door opened again.
I blinked.
"Kiefer?!"
"What happened now?" I asked casually
while he was walking straight toward me again, as he belonged there.
Which—
annoyingly—
He did.
Before I could even react, his hand slid around my waist and pulled me against him.
"Kief—"
Too late.
His lips brushed against my neck again.
Warm.
Slow.
Dangerous.
And when he pulled back—
I already knew.
Another mark.
My eyes widened in betrayal.
"KIEFER!"
He looked completely pleased with himself.
Then he kissed me quickly before looking directly into my eyes.
"If you're already covering them anyway…" he said calmly, "then it's okay to leave more."
I hit his chest immediately.
"Asshole!"
He laughed quietly while backing away toward the door.
And before leaving again, he gave me one last unbearably smug look.
Honestly.
This idiot was my husband.
The second the door closed this time, I immediately locked it.
"Absolutely not."
I brushed my fingers lightly over the fresh kiss mark on my neck.
And despite myself—
I smiled.
Then I caught my reflection in the mirror.
The smile disappeared instantly.
"Jay," I muttered to myself while shaking my head. "Snap out of it."
Like that was even possible anymore.
I took a deep breath and finally changed into the dress.
Black.
Elegant.
The high neckline covered every dangerous mark Kiefer had left behind.
The sleeveless cut exposed my shoulders softly while the fabric hugged my waist perfectly before falling smoothly down my legs.
And the slit on one side—
just high enough to be dangerous.
I stared at myself in the mirror for a second.
Then immediately regretted it.
Because now I could already imagine Kiefer's reaction.
"…This is a mistake," I whispered to myself.
Then slowly—
A smirk appeared on my lips.
"Let him suffer," I muttered.
And because apparently I enjoyed making dangerous decisions—
I wore his favorite perfume too.
The one that always made him lose focus around me.
Completely.
A few minutes later, a knock came from the door.
I quickly tried hiding my smile before opening it casually.
Kiefer stood outside wearing a black tuxedo.
One hand adjusting his watch.
Hair pushed back neatly.
Sharp.
Elegant.
Terrifyingly handsome.
"Kie—"
"Jay—" he started at the same time.
Then he looked up properly.
And froze.
Completely.
The rest of his sentence disappeared instantly.
His eyes slowly moved over me.
From my face.
To the dress.
To my waist.
To the slit on my leg.
Then back to my eyes again.
And the look on his face—
Oh.
Oh no.
"Kie—"
Before I could even finish saying his name, he suddenly stepped forward, grabbed my waist, and pulled me back into the room.
Then he kissed me.
Hard.
Not soft this time.
Not teasing.
Desperate.
Like he'd been holding himself back for too long already.
My breath caught instantly as his hand tightened around my waist while the other moved into my hair.
By the time he finally pulled away—
Both of us were breathless.
His forehead rested against mine for a second.
Then his eyes dropped to my lips again.
"Didn't I tell you never to wear lip gloss?" he muttered roughly. "Your lips look so—…"
"Kiefer," I tried explaining weakly.
Bad decision.
Because he kissed me again immediately.
Slower this time.
But somehow worse.
More dangerous.
My fingers grabbed his jacket instinctively while his thumb brushed against my jaw.
When he finally pulled away again, he exhaled sharply like he was losing a battle with himself.
"Jay…" he murmured against my lips. "You're making me suffer."
My heartbeat became impossible to control.
"How am I supposed to wait," he whispered roughly, "when you keep tempting me like this?"
We were both still breathing hard.
And for one dangerous second—
His control looked terrifyingly thin again.
Then suddenly he stepped back.
Fast.
Like he needed distance immediately.
He dragged one hand through his hair before turning away from me completely.
And without even looking back—
He walked out of the room like he was escaping before losing the rest of his control.
The door closed behind him.
I stood there frozen for several seconds.
Then slowly turned toward the mirror.
My lip gloss was completely smudged.
I stared at my reflection silently before groaning under my breath.
"This man is going to kill me."
I wiped the rest of the gloss off completely and took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heartbeat.
It didn't help much.
Not after the way he looked at me.
Not after that kiss.
Not after hearing desperation in Kiefer Watson's voice.
I pressed my cold hands against my burning cheeks once before finally straightening myself.
Then I took one last breath…
…and walked out of the room.
The ride was too quiet.
Not peaceful.
Heavy.
Dangerously silent.
Cole was in one car with Jare.
Clyden with Percy.
Angelo with Aries.
And I was with Kiefer.
Four black luxury cars moved through the glowing London streets like a warning instead of a convoy.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom.
A Bentley Flying Spur.
A Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
And the impossible presence of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire.
The kind of entrance that didn't ask for attention.
It demanded it.
Inside the car, Kiefer sat beside me quietly.
One hand resting near mine.
His jaw was tense.
Eyes sharp.
Watching everything through the tinted window.
I looked down at my dress briefly.
Black.
High neck.
Elegant enough to look untouchable.
Dangerous enough to make people stare anyway.
The moment our cars stopped outside the ballroom—
The camera flashes exploded.
One after another.
The massive entrance doors glowed gold beneath crystal lights while security rushed around us.
People were already watching before we even stepped out.
Of course they were.
Almost every influential person was here tonight.
Politicians.
Business heirs.
Media owners.
Old money families.
People are powerful enough to destroy lives with one conversation.
And every single one of them turned toward us.
The driver opened my door first.
Cold air brushed against my skin.
Then Kiefer stepped out beside me.
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.
Not louder.
Quieter.
Like the entire place held its breath.
Cole stepped out next.
Then Jare.
Clyden.
Percy.
Angelo.
Aries.
All dressed in black.
All carrying the same deadly calm.
We didn't look like guests arriving at a party.
We looked like people arriving for war.
The ballroom doors opened slowly.
And the second we walked in—
Every eye landed on us.
The music didn't stop.
But conversations did.
Crystal chandeliers reflected across marble floors while hundreds of people stared openly.
I could feel it.
The curiosity.
The fear.
The whispers are beginning already.
And right beside me—
Kiefer's hand moved lightly against my back.
Protective.
Possessive.
A silent warning to everyone in the room.
Touch her and die.
I lifted my chin slightly and kept walking forward.
If they wanted a show tonight—
I was ready to give them one.
But the moment Kiefer and I entered the party—
Everything changed.
This wasn't what I expected at all.
People immediately started approaching us one after another, like they had been waiting for our arrival the entire night.
Conversations paused.
Eyes followed us.
Whispers spread quietly across the hall.
Some looked curious.
Some nervous.
Some calculated.
Kiefer's hand rested firmly against my waist while he guided me through the crowd effortlessly, like he was completely used to this kind of attention.
Meanwhile—
I was mentally preparing myself not to punch anyone tonight.
Cole, Angelo, and Clyden were already talking to several important people across the ballroom, blending into conversations smoothly while still watching everything around us carefully.
Kiefer leaned closer slightly.
"The elders are over there," he murmured.
My eyes followed his gaze.
And there they were.
Five elders sat near the center of the party like kings observing their kingdom.
Power gathered around them naturally.
People approached them carefully.
Respectfully.
Or fearfully.
Honestly—
probably both.
Kiefer once told me one of them secretly helped him before.
The oldest one is sitting at the far end.
Unlike the others, his eyes didn't carry greed.
Just exhaustion.
Wisdom.
Maybe regret too.
So when we approached them, I bowed my head slightly toward him first out of genuine respect.
But the other four?
God.
They were way too old to still be this greedy.
How desperate did someone have to be to chase money even at this age?
One of the elders looked at me carefully.
"Your name?" he asked slowly.
I blinked once.
Then tilted my head slightly.
Wait.
Didn't he recognize me?
Then how exactly were they planning to destroy me without even knowing my face?
Interesting.
Very interesting.
I smiled sweetly.
"Didn't you know me already?" I asked innocently.
The elder frowned immediately.
"What are you saying?"
"Nothing, Grandfather," I said politely while lowering my gaze slightly. "I was just saying how great you are."
I smiled sweetly at the elders.
"I'm Jay-Jay," I introduced politely. "Wife of Kiefer Watson."
Then I tilted my head slightly.
"But you can call me Mrs. Watson."
Mocking.
Completely mocking.
And judging by the way two elders stiffened immediately—
They noticed.
Good.
Because I was still pissed.
Not only did they look down on Kiefer for years—
They also never gave Clyden Kuya the childhood he deserved.
These people treated family like business assets.
And somehow expected loyalty in return.
"Oh," one elder said while observing me. "So you're the girl."
Girl?
Interesting choice of words.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're not what we expected."
I smiled wider.
"Oh, really?"
Then I glanced at him innocently.
"You probably never met someone like me before."
The elder's expression hardened slightly.
I continued before anyone could interrupt.
"But then again…" I looked around slowly at the group of old men sitting comfortably in the center of power. "You've spent so many years sitting inside a Fortress that maybe the outside world became difficult to understand."
Silence.
Sharp silence.
One elder looked personally offended.
I smiled wider.
I continued
"And you're the elders?"
Silence.
"Interesting," I continued thoughtfully while looking at all of them one by one. "I expected people who control billions to look more intimidating."
Kiefer coughed beside me.
Definitely hiding a laugh.
One elder's expression darkened.
"You speak boldly."
"Of course," I answered innocently. "I mean… surviving people trying to kill you really helps confidence grow."
Dead silence.
Perfect.
Another elder straightened immediately.
"What nonsense are you implying?"
I gasped softly.
"Implying?" I pressed a hand dramatically against my chest. "Oh no, Grandfather. Why would I imply anything?"
Then I smiled sweetly.
"Maybe because some assholes outside are trying very hard to kill me lately."
The entire table went silent.
One elder's face darkened instantly.
Another gripped his cane tighter.
Meanwhile—
beside me—
I felt Kiefer turn his head slightly away again.
Hiding his smile.
Traitor.
Then I smiled sweetly again.
"I mean, old people usually spend retirement gardening, traveling, spoiling grandchildren…"
My eyes slowly moved across the table.
"But you all chose murder plots instead."
One elder slammed his cane lightly against the floor.
"You insolent—"
"Insolent?" I blinked. "That's such a harsh word. Especially from people who tried ruining their own grandson's life."
The atmosphere instantly became colder.
Dangerously cold.
But honestly?
Good.
Let them feel uncomfortable for once.
"You know," I continued casually, "when Kiefer told me about the elders, I imagined powerful masterminds."
I leaned slightly closer.
"Not a group of rich old men throwing tantrums because they can't control inheritance papers."
One of them stood up angrily.
Kiefer's arm instantly wrapped tighter around my waist.
Not stopping me.
Just ready.
Always ready.
The elder glared at me coldly.
"What makes you think you're great?" he snapped. "You're just a little girl."
I smiled.
Then casually flipped my hair over my shoulder like his words didn't affect me at all.
Honestly—
They didn't.
"Sorry," I said lightly. "I'm trying really hard not to smile right now."
His face darkened immediately.
"And why exactly are you smiling?"
I tilted my head innocently.
"Because it's funny."
A pause.
"You keep calling me a little girl…" My smile widened slowly, "while working this hard to get your hands on me just so you can control everything around me."
I tilted my head innocently.
"It's honestly fascinating."
The elder's expression darkened.
"I keep hearing you call me a child…" I continued softly, "but you're spending the last years of your lives—and probably the last of your funds—trying to kill me."
A pause.
Then I smiled sweetly.
"I just hope you won't become penniless before you die."
The elder's expression changed instantly.
"What ?"
"Nothing," I answered sweetly.
Then my voice softened.
Dangerously softly.
"I'm actually asking nicely."
The room around us had gone completely silent now.
Even nearby conversations stopped.
Because everyone understood—
This wasn't normal party talk anymore.
"If you don't want to spend the rest of your lives behind bars," I continued calmly, "then stop trying to touch what belongs to me."
My eyes met his directly.
"Leave my brother alone."
Then my hand slid into Kiefer's arm slowly.
"And leave my husband alone, too."
One elder scoffed.
"You think you can threaten us?"
I smiled again.
"No."
Then I leaned slightly closer.
"I think I can bury you."
Beside me—
Kiefer finally laughed quietly under his breath.
Not amused.
Not playful.
Dangerous.
And somehow—
That sound was far scarier than shouting.
The elder's eyes hardened completely.
"We can kill you here," one of them said finally.
And there it was.
No pretending anymore.
No polite masks.
They admitted it.
The entire atmosphere around us shifted instantly.
Cold.
Sharp.
Deadly.
But strangely—
I didn't feel scared.
I smiled.
"Try it," I said softly.
Kiefer's grip around my waist tightened immediately.
Not to stop me.
To steady himself.
Because he already knew I was angry now.
Really angry.
I looked directly at the elder.
"Before I take my last breath," I whispered calmly, "I'll make sure I get my revenge first."
Silence.
Pure silence.
"You think everything will become peaceful after I die?" I asked quietly.
Then I laughed softly.
"That's where you're wrong."
My eyes flicked toward Kiefer for one second before returning to them.
"The man you failed to control your entire lives?"
I slid my hand slowly into Kiefer's.
"My husband would burn this entire empire to the ground for me."
Then my expression darkened.
"And my brothers?"
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"They wouldn't even wait for permission."
One elder scoffed angrily.
I stepped closer anyway.
"So go ahead," I whispered. "Touch me."
The room had gone terrifyingly still now.
Even the music suddenly felt distant.
"Then watch how fast your graves get prepared."
Beside me—
Kiefer finally moved.
Slowly.
Dangerously calmly.
His arm wrapped fully around my waist before he looked directly at the elders.
And when he spoke—
His voice was quieter than all of them.
Which somehow made it worse.
"If even one hair on her head gets touched," he said softly, "I won't leave enough of this family behind to bury."
No anger.
No shouting.
Just certainty.
And for the first time since we approached them—
The elders finally looked uncomfortable.
Good.
"Kiefer," I said while turning away from them, "let's leave before I accidentally commit a crime in public."
Kiefer's lips twitched instantly.
Then I walked away without looking back at the elders again.
But I could still feel their eyes on me.
Sharp. Heavy. Burning into my back like they wanted to kill me with nothing but their stares alone.
The tension in the room followed every step I took, thick enough to suffocate anyone weaker.
I didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
Because if there was one thing those elders hated most, it was the fact that I refused to fear them.