Chapter 2

ADRIANO'S POV~

As I stood before her, my gaze traveled across her petite, slender frame. She was exactly the kind of woman I desired. But there was something different about this one. A spark, a defiance in her eyes that I couldn't resist. It was as if she was daring me to try and break her.

"What's your name, pretty nurse?" I asked, my voice low and seductive. I didn't usually bother with flirting, but there was something about her that made me want to. Something that made me want to see how far I could push her.

Her teeth clenched as she snarled at me. "Let go of me!" she demanded, pulling against my grip. I fought back a laugh, amused by her defiance. How adorable. Those flushed cheeks, the way her body stiffened against mine - it only made me want to push her further, a possessive need to claim her, to make her submit to me.

I pulled her closer, relishing the gasp that escaped her lips as her body melted against mine. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled my nostrils, intoxicating and sweet.

"You didn't answer me," I murmured, pressing my lips against her ear. "Ah, playing hard to get, are we? No matter. I know what to call you... and that's 'mine'." My voice dropped to a possessive growl, a promise of what was to come. "So, darling... What's your name?"

"If I had known that your real identity was the monster I was describing some minutes ago, I swear on my life... I would never bother to save you. I have no desire to be associated with a criminal and the likes of you. Let go of me this instant!"

I couldn't resist the dark chuckle that rumbled through my chest. I threw my head back in a hearty laugh, basking in the fire and defiance she showed.

Despite the chill in her words, I could see the fear flicker in her eyes. The tremble of her hands only served to fuel my desire. My hand slowly wrapped around her waist, feeling her delicate frame against my own.

She fit perfectly in my arms, slender and vulnerable. There was this great urge to suddenly protect her. Never let go of her.

"Is that a no?" I asked, relishing the cruel delight in my tone. "Tell me, dear pretty nurse, what's your name? I must know the name of my future wife."

Her eyes widened in shock, as though she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.

I wanted to keep poking her. To see the range of beautiful expressions that would dance across her face. I was mesmerized, obsessed. Despite the shock of these newfound emotions, there was a thrill in knowing that I would never let go of her. I strangely found comfort in her presence.

"Wife?” She choked out the word, her voice barely above a whisper.

I felt my lips curl into a grin, relishing the power in the word, the way it rolled off my tongue. But before I could bask in my triumph, I saw her expression change. The fear that had been in her eyes was replaced by a dark fury.

Without warning, her palm connected with my cheek in a crackling slap that echoed through the empty halls. I was stunned, frozen in place, unable to believe what had just happened. My men gasped, equally shocked.

Her defiance, her audacity, was a slap in the face to my pride. In my shock, I loosened my grip and watched as she took several steps back. My men were still too stunned to react, and she saw the opportunity. In an instant, she turned and raced away, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallways.

I stood there, unable to move, my thoughts reeling. My mind struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

The shock that had paralyzed my men was slowly fading as the haze of disbelief lifted. Two of them started to move, no doubt planning to give chase and bring the woman back to me. But before they could take a step, I raised my hand in a silent command.

"Stop!" I barked out, watching as they froze in place. "Let her be."

I chuckled, the sound echoing through the empty hall. I knew my men were staring at me as though I'd gone insane, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

The thought of her, of the way she'd struck me down in a moment of weakness, sent a thrill through me. I wanted her, this woman who'd dared to defy me. And I'd have her, no matter what.

"I want that one," I said, my tone dangerous. "Find me every damn detail about her. Everything! Do not leave any stone unturned, especially her address for me and name first."

I rubbed the spot where she'd slapped me, a slow, deliberate caress.

My men stared at me with wide eyes, their jaws practically hitting the floor. But I just smiled, a half-smile that held a hint of something dark and possessive.

"Understood?" I asked, my voice a deadly calm.

"Yes sir," they chorused, their voices stiff with shock.

I hummed, and turned to my second in command, whose face was still stiff in shock.

“A woman slapped you." He whispered, as though he couldn't even believe what he had witnessed.

I nodded, humming again. “I know."

His mouth opened and then clamped shut again like a fish out of water. He knew it was something that had never happened. Strong men don't even dare to defy me not to talk of a petite, fragile woman whom I could easily break with a snap of my finger. People who had dared me had their special spot just underneath the earth. They all deserved it.

But this one woman?

“Just find her." I ordered and then bent to take a look at my wound which she had dressed up.

“You’ve never had any interest in any of the women who had thrown themselves at you. Why the sudden interest in this ordinary woman on your first encounter?” He sounded puzzled and it greatly amused me.

Slowly, I walked up to him. I raised my unbandaged arm and patted his cheeks, staring deep into his eyes. “You see Salvatore… because she's the first person who has ever dared to face me without fear—and even had the guts to hit me. Do me a favor and find her for me, Salvatore.”

~ ~ ~

CASSANDRA'S POV~

I stepped out of the hospital, my heart pounding in my chest as I glanced around, making sure no one was following me. A wave of relief washed over me as I spotted an empty taxi and flagged it down. Though exhausted, I knew I couldn't go home alone,scared I might be traced over there and decided to head straight to my boyfiend, Eden's tech start-up just some distance away from the hospital.

The moment I approached his office, the first thing that struck me was the stillness. Eden looked extremely absentminded despite the sound of the door's click signifying my presence, he didn't even turn to my direction. And it was then I took in how the office was chaos--- papers scattered like a tornado had hit here, phones unplugged, their cords coiled haphazardly across the room.

My heart sank at the sight of it all. My boyfriend, normally impeccably organized, was a mess. His shoulders were hunched forward, the tension palpable in his furrowed brow and clenched jaw.

The way his fingers repeatedly kept thrumming on his desk told me everything wasn't okay.

“Everything okay?” I asked softly, stepping closer to him. “You look so stressed.”

Eden's head snapped to my direction, an expression of anger flashed through his eyes before he looked away. "Why did you come?"

I swallowed hard. It was already at the tip of my tongue to tell Eden of the incident that had transpired in the hospital but I quickly changed my mind, seeing him stand to walk toward the window as though he was expecting someone.

I noticed immediately how he gripped the window frame with such force that the tips of his fingers were tinged white.

"Eden?" I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?" Immediately he stiffened at my touch.