Chapter 2

After the party came our wedding night.

The master suite was covered in rose petals, candles flickering on every surface. It looked like something out of a romance novel.

I sat on the edge of the bed, calmly cleaning my custom Browning pistol, the one I'd pulled from the thigh holster hidden under my dress.

In my line of work, a gun was more reliable than a wedding ring.

The door opened.

Alexander walked in, unbuttoning the top of his uniform. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, and his presence seemed to suck the air out of the room.

He saw the gun and raised an eyebrow. "Is this your idea of foreplay? As your husband, I suppose I'll need some time to adjust."

"I don't like wasting time."

I set the gun on my knee and looked up at him. "Alexander Marshall. Before this goes any further, we need to get one thing straight. I have three rules for this marriage."

"Go ahead." He draped his jacket over a chair and walked over slowly, like a predator circling its prey.

"One, we don't interfere in each other's business. My security company is mine. You don't meddle."

"Two, I run this household. Especially after Sophia's performance tonight. If she pulls something like that again, she won't be setting foot in this house."

"Three," I paused, choosing my words carefully, "I don't tolerate infidelity. If you marry me, you're faithful. Period. You're stationed overseas for long stretches, fine. But you have one wife, and that's me."

He stopped in front of me, looking down. One eyebrow arched.

"And if I say no?"

I met his gaze and raised the gun to his chest.

"Then I'll handle the problem myself."

The room went so quiet I could hear the second hand ticking on the clock.

He didn't flinch. Not a flicker of fear in those steel-gray eyes.

His gaze moved from the barrel to my eyes. And in those always-serious eyes, I saw something unexpected. A flicker of amusement. Approval, even.

"Chloe Romano," he said, his voice carrying a warmth I hadn't expected, "you're far more interesting than I ever imagined."

He raised two fingers, wrapped them around the barrel, and pushed it down, casual as anything.

He sat beside me on the bed. "I accept your terms. Your company is yours. You run the household."

"As for Sophia, my father entrusted her to me on his deathbed. I won't throw her out entirely, out of respect for his memory. But if she crosses the line again, do whatever you want. I won't stop you."

"And rule three?"

"A soldier understands loyalty," he said simply. "I married you. You're my only wife."

I searched his eyes for any hint of deception. All I saw was the unwavering certainty of a man who'd never broken his word.

"Deal." I holstered the gun.

The next second, he pushed me down onto the soft mattress, his body covering mine.

The scent of roses vanished, replaced by something else. A man's scent, clean and sharp, mingled with the faint trace of gunpowder.

"Now that the terms are settled," he murmured against my ear, "is it time to consummate the marriage?"

His hand slid around my waist, his warmth threatening to melt every wall I'd built.

Looking at his sharp, handsome features, my heart stumbled in my chest.

"Of course."

I grabbed his collar and pulled him into a kiss.

The temperature in the room climbed. Our clothes hit the floor one by one.

His breath came heavy against my ear. "From now on, you're mine."

I was about to answer when—

"BANG BANG BANG!"

Urgent knocking at the door.

"General! We have a situation!" a guard called from outside, his voice strained. "Miss Sophia is missing. She left a suicide note!"

The heat in the room evaporated instantly.

Alexander was on his feet in a second, rebuttoning his shirt. "I'm coming."

I grabbed his sleeve. "Alexander Marshall. You just promised—"

He paused for exactly one second. Then he draped a coat over my shoulders.

"Get dressed. You're coming with me."

I blinked. "What?"

He took my hand, threading his fingers through mine.

"I'm not breaking my word. But if I don't respond, my father's old officers will question my judgment. I promise you this. Once we confirm she's alive, the rest is yours to handle."

That was acceptable.

I got dressed quickly and decided to cooperate. For now.

Alexander held my hand tightly as we stormed out with a squad of armed guards.

The butler met us at the door and handed him a folded note. "General, Miss Sophia left this in her room."

He scanned it and passed it to me.

Two short lines in Sophia's flowery handwriting.

[Alexander, since Chloe hates me so much, I don't want to be a burden to you anymore.]

[Don't come looking for me. Let me leave this world quietly.]