A WASHI

ne as grouchy as him. He smoked for about an hour when we parked in the middle of nowhere. H

. I could see from his eyes that he was broken. A part of me hated the fact that I c

process what he meant, he was already approaching me, as if he wanted to kill me. The look on his face was familiar-my adopted par

of help," I muttered, lowering my gaze to the floor. He ex

om the bed to use in the guest room or the s

at anyone would do-I started looking for the kitchen. It must be a few s

ing back. The entire villa was silent. Then, boom, I fou

six, so it had to be something light. Luckily, I found pasta and some fresh veggies. Whoever was

healthy meal for us. I heard footsteps coming

th-holy moly. He was shirtless, water dripping from his chest down to his lower abdomen, and

m-I wanted to take a bite. He must taste so good. "Victoria! What

He took the seat across from me, wordless, and

through the quiet. "This marriage... it's a burden. I have someone I love,

ap, making me question if

pered, almost choking on my food.

Work? What ma

ed, the words spilling out

internally. He's a ticking time bomb, waitin

need someone like you?!" He half

myself of his temper next t

family sees you as a responsible man, then I divorce you, and you go back to your

kin, half of his left chest completely inked. There was a large python coiled menacingly, its fangs bared as if ready to strike. Surrounding it were other symbols-a bleeding dag

as if he were part of some secretive cult. Why else would anyone have a ta

and I couldn't shake the feeling that

reen eyes pulled me in, dark and unreadable, as though I could

ning. His hands roamed over my face, down to my neck, gripping it

ly above a whisper. He held me there for a few mo

y warning me that I was being watched, that he woul

d trust me-when I find out you were sent to marry me for some stupid reason, I'm go

u think I'm a spy?" I

you to spy on me would be a complete waste..." He leaned closer, his b

reath I'd been holding, my eyes widening in

ing about him that screams danger, like he'd have no problem kil

nd their abno

just one year of peace without

s... so dark, so

a long day, and some rest couldn't hurt. You know what els

f he tries anything, at leas

ow like the kitchen knife could actu