05| Arnica.

If I'm going to be blunt with myself, I need to confess that I don’t know how to feel or act around Maverick.

He's a different breed compared to the other two Quinns that I've had the misfortune of meeting. 

A part of me feels like he wouldn’t go out of his way to personally hurt or embarrass me. But because he is a man who lives by strict rules, I sense that he will have a field day making sure I obey the rules he sets out for me to abide by, and he’d take even greater pleasure in disciplining me if I defy those certain rules.

But it's the way he looks at me that confuses me the most… I don't know, I could be reading too much into it.

However, it’s like I’m the only person he sees in a room filled with people which is odd because the only room I remember us being in together was the Fantasy Room, and he was obviously there because he saw that I was in trouble and needed saving. 

But then I have to remind myself that he is a Quinn and everything he says and does is already pre-planned and calculated.

My previous experience with a certain Quinn still haunts me to this day. The nightmares riddle my mind with tainted memories that refuse to leave me alone. Searing the memories so deep they have been carved into my soul, bleeding me dry for all eternity.

Martin Quinn - their father is the voice behind my night terrors. It's the same dream every time and I do not know why, his faceless image always makes me feel dirty after I'm able to jostle myself awake.

However, Maverick seems different, though he is a predator, and I am his targeted prey trapped under his lock and key until the very end… 

I don't truly fear him. 

He does irritate me, but I feel like I can tolerate him more than I am ever willing to admit.

It's no secret that I have signed my soul over to the devil, and willingly offered him to infect my womb with his child — binding us together for eternity.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Arnica. What have you gone and done, you silly girl?

I purposely ignore his last statement, buttoning his suit jacket to dispel the cold chill pricking my flesh, as I try to ignore the rich scent of him that is rooted in the expensive threads. 

It’s intoxicating.

Mouthwatering.

And it wakes up every dormant nerve in my body.

“So, the pamphlet that was delivered to my letterbox days after I was let go from Pulse Energy Ltd, it was you?” I ask softly, trying to piece everything together, my voice being steadier than my racing heart.

“Yes.” He replies with a single word, making it obvious that he is unwilling to entertain me with a proper response.

“Why?” I push further for an explanation, desperate to know why he pursued me.

“Because Matthias still loves you, and I knew you were the only person who could help me to truly hurt and ruin him.” The words spill from his lips like a painful song pulling at the fragile strings of my heart.

“What if I didn’t take the bait for the job at Fusion?”

I mean… I almost didn't. Working in one of the most prestigious clubs without any previous experience in the city was pushing it, even for me, in the direction of desperation.

However, it was obvious that after six interviews and almost being pushed out of the building when my name was called, someone had meant what they said when he told me that he could financially ruin and cripple my future. 

Anyone would think that I was the one who repeatedly cheated on him!

Maverick combs his fingers through his slick hair as he sucks on his upper teeth. 

“I would have found another way to get to you, Angel. I’m a very resourceful man, and you will quickly learn that the word no just simply isn’t in my vocabulary.”

“That's a pity because the word no has a nice ring to it whenever I'm around you.” I quickly blurt out, wishing I could take the words back. 

“We can work on that together.” Maverick retorts without missing a beat as his gaze shifts, meeting the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror with a hint of laughter encasing him. 

“Are you always this confident?” I ask, already knowing the answer to my question because it's pretty evident with the facial expressions he is coolly trying to mask from me.

“Me being confident is an understatement, Angel.” He states in a serious tone not to be taken lightly. “The reason why you are sitting in my vehicle, married to me, is because I do my homework and I strike when the time is right—never before.”

“Have you thought about what might happen if I can’t give you a child, Maverick? When I was six years old… I… I…” The words I am trying to get out lodge themselves in my throat, making it difficult to finish what I need to say.

I dip my head, closing my eyes as I draw in a deep breath, hoping it will help calm my raging thoughts and give me the strength I need to carry on.

“I know what happened to you, Arnica and yes… I have thought about it. If you want to get examined, I can arrange for an appointment tomorrow morning. You can go to the hospital, or I can have someone come to the house, the choice is yours.” His voice is soft and if I let my mind slip away for a second, I’d make the dire mistake of thinking that we can make things civilly work between us.

The sound of tyres crunching on gravel fills the small space between us as the SUV gradually comes to a halt. I raise my gaze and peer out the window as we glide through a formidable iron gate, symbolic of a fortress. Soon, a grand mansion emerges, nestled amidst a cluster of towering trees.

“I will think about it, and thanks for the offer.” I finally reply, still staring out the window. “Is this where we will be living?”

“Indeed. This is my empire, Angel, and it now is yours, too.”

“And you live here alone?” I marvel at the thought of living in such a large estate with no one to share it with.

It makes no sense.

“Not entirely, Levi and Saint live here too. They are my right-hand men; my best friends, and it makes sense to have them close to me at all times.”

As the door beside him is opened, he turns his head to look at me, his gaze slowly trails over my face before a large grin breaks out across his handsome face that makes him look like a Greek God.

“Where will I be sleeping?” I ask timidly, hoping he doesn’t expect me to share his bed with him right away.

Maverick steps out of the vehicle and patiently extends his hand, silently inviting me to join him outside. I cautiously move across the seat, disregarding his hand, and independently step out of the vehicle.

I stand confidently next to him, locking eyes with him. A small chuckle escapes from his throat as he grits his teeth, clearly annoyed that I didn't acknowledge his friendly gesture. I raise my foot to move towards the estate, only to be abruptly pulled back, causing me to lose my balance and crash into Mavericks' broad chest.

“There are a few things you will need to learn around here, Angel.” He states sternly, causing my heart to flutter. “When I offer you my hand, you place yours in mine with a fucking smile on your face that would melt hearts in a room filled with dangerous men. Got it?” The tone of his voice emphasizes that he is dead serious.

Speechless, I nod my head with my eyes staring daggers at him.

“Good. Now, you can choose any room you want, Kitten, it doesn’t matter to me because wherever you sleep, I’m sleeping too.” He says as he leans in close to my neck and whispers in my ear. “Our marriage will be treated like a real union.”

I swallow thickly, digesting his words, watching in silence as he pulls away from me, turns to the vehicle behind us and nods his head. The guy who drove me home this morning with dyed white hair and light green eyes steps out from the driver’s side and approaches us while buttoning up his suit jacket.

“Don’t let her out of your sight until I return,” Maverick speaks to him in an authoritative tone before he returns his attention to me.

“Where are you going?” I ask with irritation lacing my voice.

I can’t believe he has brought me to his mansion against my will and is leaving me here with one of his men.

“Why? Are you going to tell me that you'll miss me, kitten?” His brows shoot up as he rubs the pads of his fingers along his chiselled jawline, his eyes slightly narrowing with anticipation.

I snort, "No… I'm just curious to know why you have brought me here when you have plans that don't involve me or you staying in.”

“I have a matter that requires my attention. Levi will be by your side at all times, ready to assist you with any enquiries about locating items, ensuring your safety and keeping you company until my return.”

“So…”

“I’ll find you when I get back, Angel.” He winks at me and then gets back inside the SUV, just… Leaving me here.

I turn and look at Levi, “I need you to lead me to the room that has the largest tub.” I sigh, patiently waiting for him to lead the way.