- a man in a dark suit with the build of a bodyguard - held an umbrella over him, barely sp

d at the door.

cool glance. "So is mar

t scent of expensive cologne and new car. Adrian settled beside her, composed as ever

g?" she asked again

tapping his phone. "If I'm going to ma

y choked. "Don't you thi

unreadable. "You're the one who proposed, Elen

one. The word sent a

or Adrian Blackwell. Which, Elena realized uneasily, it probably did. Within twenty minu

," she whispered as Ad

me," he sa

ervous-looking manager appeared, bowing slightly as if greeting

loor. The entire store was empty except for two attendants who lo

structed curtly. "Not gaudy. Pl

at him. "You

aint smirk. "I don't

that made her eyes hurt. She reached instinctively for a mode

larger ring and sliding it onto h

ng, almost obscene - and tried to p

. "You're marrying

hickened. For a moment,

ays. Adrian signed something with a flick of his pen

nd heavy. Elena found herself sneaking glances at him, tryin

of yourself," she

m his phone. "I don't make

nd

nce, sharp and assessi

unexpected admission. "T

said flatly. "But I protect what's

ing by the discreet Blackwell crest on the doors. Ad

id, as if it were the most

ffened. "E

left no room for argument. "We'll go to the court

like

t predatory. "You started this,

inside with a hand at the small of her back. The touch was li

re apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the stormy

ings - he'd somehow had her bag sent over without asking. A

eyes glinting with something unread

that, he

abbing her phone. Her fingers shook as she dia

d brightly, almost too bright

t news? I only dec

from the background. His voice was warm, but with an edge of somethi

h dropped. "You

g, do you have any idea what this means? Our company has been hanging by a t

nished bluntly. "So cooperat

taring at it in disbelief. Her own parents

**

o the courthouse, expecting some quiet paperwork, and found

sp suit, papers ready, witnesses lined up - powerful

to marry her. He'd o

moothly as she approached, his gaze burning th

like a servant. Everything happened fast - signatures, vo

ike that, i

ras flashed. Elena froze. "You d

d her waist, pulling her clo

ife. The world watc

tightened slightly, possessi

ed wicked. "Home. To