Take a stand

BELINDA

Oh my God.

He’s kissing me.

A friend once said unexpected kisses are the best kind. Screw that. I swear she was right.

Nothing—nothing—had ever felt like this. When I compared it to the excitement I’d experienced before, this one multiplied everything by ten, maybe a hundred.

At first, I froze in shock. Then anger rushed in. And somewhere between those two, the urge to kiss him back took hold. Seconds stretched into hours as I stood there, completely unsure of what to do.

Pulling away wasn’t an option. Stepping back felt impossible. It was like we were magnets—drawn together by some uncontrollable force.

Darian was undeniably handsome. Anyone who denied it would be lying. He looked like someone pulled straight from the middle of a fashion show and dropped into a corporate empire. That arrogant, self-satisfied smirk only made him more infuriatingly attractive.

But good looks didn’t save his personality. He was an asshole. And yes—the very asshole whose kiss I was returning, the one clearly eager to throw me onto the bed if this continued.

Shit.

Where was this going?

I needed to stop.

The image of the bed snapped me back to reality. I shoved him away hard, ending the kiss.

No slap, obviously. Slapping someone after kissing them back like that would’ve been ridiculous.

Besides, I believed a woman had far better options than slapping.

“Honestly? Disappointing,” I said, shaking my head. “Your body must’ve clouded my judgment. I’ve had much better. Let’s not repeat this. See you downstairs.”

His nostrils flared with anger. Afraid he might charge at me like a bull, I slipped past him and bolted out of the room.

I left the house quickly, ignoring the way my knees trembled as I descended the stairs.

It had been the most intense, electrifying experience of my life—but he didn’t need to know that.

Smiling at the two brothers, I greeted them as I reached the ground floor. “Welcome.”

It was hard to believe they were related to Darian. How could siblings be so different? Was Darian adopted or something?

“She got comfortable fast,” Marcus remarked.

I ignored the implication. “I’ll help Rose,” I said quickly, heading into the kitchen. She was working alone. Apparently, Luke—with all his wealth—hadn’t thought to hire help for his wife.

“What can I do?” I asked as I stepped inside.

“I’ve got it. Sit,” she said kindly.

“No way. You’re doing everything yourself. Why don’t you have help?”

Was I being too nosy? Normally I minded my own business, but I was genuinely curious. Then again, curiosity was usually what got people into trouble.

“I didn’t want any. I like doing it myself,” she said with a smile.

I didn’t.

“I thought we’d eat out. At least help me carry things to the outdoor table,” she said, lifting a tray and heading to the terrace. I grabbed another tray—cutlery and glasses—and followed.

The weather was perfect. The terrace was even better. I could easily imagine spending my entire life there, summer and winter alike. Some people were just born lucky.

With Rose’s swift movements, the table was set in no time.

Darian arrived and sat down immediately. Rose called the others.

“You’ve outdone yourself again. Thanks,” Darian said.

Surprising. So he was capable of warmth. His eyes softened as he looked at her.

“Enjoy,” she replied.

I took a spoonful of soup. I had to admit—the table looked incredible.

“This is really good. Thank you. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”

“So you can’t cook?” Darian asked bluntly—like the jerk he was—acting as if he hadn’t been kissing me upstairs minutes ago.

“I choose not to,” I replied vaguely. Growing up with siblings meant never eating alone; I doubted he’d understand.

“There are plenty of restaurants that serve home-style food,” Marcus said. Had someone injected this man with logic?

“But a restaurant is still a restaurant. It’s not home.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “Fair point.”

I tried to ignore Darian muttering something under his breath, but it was impossible. I lowered my gaze to my food, forcing myself to stop watching him. His presence dominated the space. He was the kind of man everyone noticed the moment he entered a room—and it unsettled me.

Arrogant bastard.

They chatted casually throughout the meal while I mostly listened. I ate slowly, stole glances at Darian, and picked up a word or two about software and tech.

After dinner, Rose made coffee. I’d been waiting for them to bring up the real issue, but when no one did, I decided to.

“So… what did you decide after I left?”

“I’m not paying anyone until I know exactly who you are,” Darian said.

He was right. Who would hand over five million for someone who appeared out of nowhere? I certainly wouldn’t. But I didn’t have time.

“I understand. You’re right,” I said, trying to stay calm. The memory of the gun pressed to my head sent a shiver through me. “He gave me a week. I can sign a promissory note, anything you want. I’ll pay you back. Just get me away from those men.”

He casually took a cigarette from the pack on the table and lit it. Easy for him—his life wasn’t on the line. I hated asking for help, but everything I believed in had collapsed today. I was trapped in a machine I didn’t understand, spinning wildly, and no one seemed to notice.

“How do I know you won’t disappear once the money’s paid?” he asked coolly. “You know the saying? Don’t pity the helpless—they’ll screw you over first.”

I froze. Every cell in my body went numb.

Was he really this cruel? This heartless? Had he actually decided to throw my being alone back in my face like that?

I hated people like this—thoughtless, selfish, convinced they were always right.

Enough. This was too much.

To hell with his help.

I’d deflected his accusations all day, but this wasn’t something to brush off.

Was I overreacting? Maybe. But who cared? Everyone had a sore spot—a nerve that, once touched, made them explode. This was mine.

“Alright,” I said, taking a deep breath. Maybe they saw me stiffen. It didn’t matter. I wouldn’t see any of them again.

“The food was wonderful. Thank you for having me.”

I stood. Luke and Rose stood as well.

“What’s going on?” Luke asked. “Ignore my brother. He talks nonsense sometimes.”

“Let God deal with your brother,” I replied flatly. “He doesn’t interest me. Anyway—sorry for the inconvenience.”

I turned inside and grabbed Paspas first thing. Ignoring attempts to stop me, I headed upstairs.

I’d handle things myself. I always had. Better to sleep with a loan shark than endure accusations from a soulless man like Darian.

I packed my suitcase quickly, threw the towel inside, zipped it up.

As I dragged it toward the door, Darian’s very tall frame blocked the exit.

“Move,” I said, unwilling to engage.

“What’s with the attitude? I was just testing you.”

“I’m short. My temper rises fast. Step aside.”

“Calm down. You want a beating?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised coming from you. Orphan or not, my life isn’t disposable. Go file whatever reports you want—just end this ridiculous marriage as soon as possible.”

I’d swallowed his earlier comment back in the room. I’d returned it with a kiss, sure—but I’d swallowed it. If this was going to be constant, I wouldn’t bother anymore.

Was I really out of options? I could always go to the problem that had been following me for months and accept his offer.

“I said it to see your reaction. I didn’t mean it.”

“You know what? I don’t give a damn what you mean.”

I shoved past him and continued without letting him stop me again. I moved quickly toward the front door.

He followed at a calm pace.

I stopped in front of the massive iron gate and looked at the security booth. “Open it! What are you staring at?”

The guard looked to Darian.

“You’re not opening it?”

I spun toward Darian, fury burning through my eyes.

He stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking down at me with that infuriating superiority.

“You walked into my life without my permission,” he said coldly.

“But you don’t get to walk out without it, little lady.”