2

Chapter 2

Elijah’s pov

My name is Elijah Ronaldo, and I’m the only child of my family ... . Yes, I'm ruthless, fearless, and possessive when it comes to what I want and merciless to anyone who desires to mess with me or betray me.

I kill people like livestock animals, and I don't spare… The news about me spreads across the city like wildfire. The stupid cops are looking for me, but their dead bodies will be found instead! I don’t care about anybody's status whatsoever, but I cared about one person—Liam Sabasto.

He is the only one I crave, not his sister. But that stupid contract made me look like I wanted her; Liam is the only one I truly desire. I want him with me, and if I want something, I get it…. I never step back on whatever I want!

It has been ten years—ten whole years since I fell for him, and since then, I've been looking for a day he would trail my path. I had been waiting, planning, watching, and calculating, and today, it felt like fate had finally placed him right in front of me.

The first day that my father talked to me about this contract years ago, I was very happy to hear that because it is more like handing me a stepping stone to reach him. It wasn’t about marrying his sister but about having him all to myself by holding him captive.

Finally! He would be mine forever. That was why I had to look for a way and manipulate the contract without anyone knowing in a way that no one knew my intentions. Yes, I know it's going to be a forbidden romance, given that the gangs do not support LGBTQ.

I don't like girls… but I like him and him alone. We are either getting married now or never!

I could vividly remember that day when I visited the lawyer…. I was just twenty then. I had the contract in my hands, and I was already getting so impatient.

I slammed the papers on his desk; my eyes were cold, and my voice was dangerous at that moment. “Change the contract, or I blow your brain off.”

The lawyer’s face went pale; his hands were trembling. “I’m so sorry, Don Elijah, but what if your father finds out about this?”

I cocked the gun slowly and pointed it at his temple. I was already fuming in anger. “Do you want to die? Do what I say, or I will kill you. Rewrite the contract—from the daughter to any child of the Sabato family.”

I could see the fear in his eyes at that moment, and he quickly took the papers and nodded his head frantically. He obeyed immediately, and that was how it was changed.

And today, I'm so happy that the contract has allowed me to marry any of them, whether male or female, as long as the child is of the Sabasto family.

****

My car stopped in front of their mansion as I stepped out of the car with a flower bouquet in my hand. I adjusted my golden suit, which was already glittering in the afternoon. My personal assistant Miguel rushed to me immediately with an umbrella to shield me from the sun.

He has been working for me for ages and has been loyal ever since, even though I found his obedience accompanied by feelings I couldn't explain… But I want Liam.

I was happy, but of course I maintained my serious straight face. I can't make it look obvious because it's crazy to do that. I entered the house and headed straight to the room of my “soon-to-be-wife”....I have been to their house twice, so I know my way around.

But before I could reach her door, I heard voices—the unmistakable discussion of Liam and Ella.

I was so confused at the discussion that I couldn’t help but ask, “Kil who?” I asked aloud as I stepped in.

Both of them froze, and Liam's eyes widened in shock as they turned facing me…. I swear his heartbeat skipped a beat when he saw me. My pulse quickened at the sight of him. There he was—my perfect man, standing right in front of me… He's truly pretty, and I couldn't help but smile slightly.

Ella was very quick to cover the surprise look on her face as she immediately continued folding her clothes as if nothing important had happened. “No, Don Elijah, it’s just… We were talking about some freak, you know…. Looking for a way to kill fake ideas, all of that. Nothing important,” she said, trying to sound casual.

But my eyes were fixed on Liam. I could see lots of emotion on his face: fear, determination, and hesitation… But the way he stared at me told me that it's more than just fear, and this was exactly what I expected from him over the years.But to my greatest surprise, he stepped forward, and unannounced, with his hands slightly trembling, he knelt down in front of me.

“Please,” he said, his voice low but urgent. He knelt slightly, as if pleading to me. “Please, I have a favor to ask… even though it's not possible for you but… I don’t want you to marry my sister today. She’s not going with you. If anyone could go with you, it should be me. I want her to be safe, and I want to take her place….I'm willing to do that.”

I raised an eyebrow and let out a small, dangerous smile, which formed at the corner of my lips. To him, he thought he might be pleading for it, but one thing he failed to understand is that… His request, and his courage to offer himself, thrilled me beyond measure.

Ella, who was standing behind him, left the clothes she was folding and knelt down as well, and tears streamed down her face. “No, Don…please don’t take my brother. Let me go instead, Liam. Please!”

Liam’s gaze was locked on mine as if he was staring right into my soul… His voice was steady despite the tremor in his hands. “It is my duty to protect the Sabasto family. And as the only son of the Sabasto family, I am saying that you will not marry my sister today. You will marry me instead. I am willing to give myself in her place and be your bride to serve you forever.”

Every word he said made my heart beat faster and gave me an unusual sensation. Even only he knew that he was handing over to me exactly what I wanted and craved for ten years. The thoughts of him offering himself, unaware of my true intentions, made a dark excitement bloom in me.

I took a step closer; my expression was calm and deliberate. “Liam,” I said in my flat, controlled voice, “are you sure you want to take Ella’s place? You do realize there are obligations that come with being my spouse. Duties that you must maintain without question.”

I reached for his hand, making him stand up. I drew closer to him, and I could see how his whole body was trembling with fear. My shoulders brushed against his as I leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “You want to know the favor? There are certain obligations you need to bear in mind…like having sex with me.”

Immediately after I said that, I felt his heart beat increasing rapidly under my touch as sweat built up on his forehead. His body stiffened in fear and desire as his eyes widened slightly.

Ella’s voice broke the tension that was already building up between us. “Please, Elijah, don’t go through with this crazy idea of my brother. Don’t take him!He cannot marry you as a man, and besides, you already know what your family is capable of…it's not acceptable.”

I smiled at her for the first time… Even though I kept a very serious expression in front of them, inwardly my heart pounded in anticipation.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked, glancing back at Liam.

Liam swallowed hard, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Are you saying that you cannot cancel the contract even after I said I want to marry you as a man? It's never going to be approved, so I suggest you cancel it… So you would rather have me as your spouse than cancel the contract?”

I knew he said that to shove me off his hook all along; he didn't even mean to marry me, but…unfortunately, he had no choice.

I stepped closer to him with my voice dropping more like a growl. “I don’t care about the contract, Liam. The only thing I care about is you. I want you…your body, mind, and soul. And don’t you dare play with me.”

Ella’s eyes widened in horror. “Body? How the hell can two straight men…” She stopped, speechless, as she realized the implications.

Liam turned to her quickly; his eyes were soft but firm. “It’s okay, Ella.” He said and shifted his gaze to me, “I will accept everything that comes with the contract as long as you leave my sister alone. I will do anything. Even if you cancel it, I know you won’t leave our family alone.”

I smirked at him; my dark satisfaction rose instantly. “Then yes, Liam. Yes, I will take you down the aisle…I do.”

Just by saying that, I could see the fear and terror in his eyes… But the fear only made him more tempting, and I felt like grabbing him and spanking his little ass.

But before I could think more about him, Ella’s gaze shifted between us, her lips pressed tightly as if to stop herself from speaking further.

“I swear to you, Elijah,” she said, voice trembling, “if you’re doing this just to torture my brother, I won’t take it easy on you. I hope you’re not doing this to give him a hard time in your mansion.”

I turned my gaze to her, a faint and sinister smile on my lips. “Relax, Ella. I will be the one to decide whether to torture him or not. Right now, your brother is my property…consider him as that!”

Upon saying that, I paused immediately, making sure the words sank deep into Liam's body. His jaw tightened as his hands clenched tightly on his trousers. Even though he was hesitating, I could still feel the desire in his eyes, like he wanted this but kept on resisting himself.

Then I looked at Ella; with a commanding voice, I said to her. “Stay here in the dressing room and wait…. Don’t ever show up at the venue, not yet, until you hear my instructions. And as for you, my groom, go get dressed. Our wedding is about to kick off.”

He didn’t say a word. His eyes were fixed on mine, a mixture of fear, anticipation, and desire. I could see him struggle with the realization, struggling to accept his fate as my husband-to-be.

Without saying more words, I turned and left the room, but my heart pounded with anticipation.

Liam Sebasto seems not to know who he truly is, despite the way he wanted to resist and deny this. I know that deep down… he wanted it as much as I did.

And right now, I wasn’t letting go.