Marriage Proposal

Adrian POV

My assistant's voice interrupted the silence through the intercom. "I know you're busy, sir, but Isabella Steele is here to see you and she says it's important."

My hand stilled over the document I was reading, Isabella Steele.

I leaned back slowly in my chair, my eyes settling on the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office.

The skyline glittered beneath the afternoon sun, but my thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

Marcus had been dead for two weeks and the city had mourned a respected hotel magnate.

The business world had mourned a brilliant entrepreneur and Liana...she'd lost her father.

Since then, I'd been watching from the shadows.

The Steele Grand Hotel remained untouched because I'd made sure it stayed that way and every greedy investor.waiting to exploit their grief had quietly disappeared before they could make a move but nobody knew.

"I'll see her."

A few moments later, the office door opened and Isabella Steele stepped inside with the effortless grace of a woman who had spent decades navigating rooms filled with powerful men.

She wore a pink Chanel blazer over a fitted black dress, a delicate gold bracelet resting against her wrist. Marcus's wedding ring still sat on her finger.

There was exhaustion behind her elegant smile and Liana had inherited every beautiful feature from her mother.

I stood immediately to welcome her. "It’s good to see you, Isabella."

She accepted the kiss I placed against her cheek before offering a tired smile. "I've been better."

She took the seat opposite my desk, smoothing her skirt before crossing her legs with practiced elegance. "And you?" she asked.

"I'm surviving."

It wasn't an answer but admission because every day blurred into the next.

The hotel remained the perfect cover while billions moved through my empire unnoticed.

I spent my days laundering fortunes, expanding territories, and making sure my enemies never saw the bullet before it reached them. My war with Dante hadn't ended but had simply become quieter.

Women still found their way into my bed often enough but none of them stayed until sunrise not after Liana.

Isabella folded her hands together before meeting my eyes. "How can I help you?"

I respected Marcus and that respect hadn't died with him. Whatever Isabella needed, I'd listen.

She drew in a slow breath. "This might sound unexpected..."

Something in her expression warned me. "...but I've noticed the way you look at my daughter."

For the first time in years, I didn't have a response and of all the conversations I'd imagined having with Isabella Steele..this wasn't one of them.

She smiled knowingly. "I've noticed it for years."

"Liana is extraordinary," Isabella continued softly. "She's beautiful, intelligent and capable... even if she's far too stubborn for her own good."

I remained silent because anything I said would only confirm what she already knew.

She sighed. "Marcus always believed she'd choose love when the time came."

"But with him gone... I can't stop worrying."

I understood, the Steele family had just become vulnerable and every predator in the city knew it.

"I'm too old to begin another marriage," she continued quietly.

"And Liana deserves someone strong enough to protect everything Marcus built."

Then she looked directly at me. "So I've started thinking about potential husbands."

"Does Liana know?"

She smiled faintly. "Not yet."

Of course she didn't. "Liana would probably throw me out of the house if she knew."

A corner of my mouth almost lifted because that sounded exactly like her. "I wanted to speak with a few suitable men before bringing it to her."

She paused then asked the question that changed everything. "You're the first person I came to."

"I wanted to know..."

She hesitated only briefly. "...if you'd be interested in marrying my daughter."

For a moment..everything disappeared and all I saw was Liana, walking away after rejecting my proposal without looking back.

I'd spent years convincing myself fate wasn't real yet somehow, life had brought her back to me anyway through her mother.

Goosebumps rose across my arms and Isabella watched me carefully, studying every flicker of emotion crossing my face.

If I married Liana...nothing would change because she still wouldn't love me.

I'd spend the rest of my life loving someone who refused to love me back, it sounded pathetic and a younger version of me would've called it weakness but saying no...

That possibility was worse because if I refused...someone else would take my place, kiss her and even sleep with.....the thought ignited something dark inside me.

No, I couldn't allow that.

If Liana belonged beside anyone...it was me.

I finally met Isabella's eyes. "Yes."

My voice surprised even me. "I'm interested."

Relief softened her features. "Wonderful. I still have a few more gentlemen I'd planned to speak with...."

"No."

She blinked and realizing how abrupt I'd sounded, I leaned forward slightly. "I apologize."

But I wasn't apologizing for what I'd meant.."There won't be anyone else."

My gaze never left hers.."I'm marrying Liana."

A slow smile spread across Isabella's face. "I knew it."

She shook her head with quiet amusement.."You've always wanted my daughter."

There was no point denying it anymore. "Yes."

"I have a few conditions."

"I'll agree."

She laughed softly. "You haven't even heard them."

"It won't matter."

Her smile widened before fading into something more serious. "I'll transfer half of the hotel into your name after the wedding."

"I don't need it."

"I know."

She raised a hand to stop my objection. "It's my way of thanking you for protecting Liana."

Then her expression changed completely. "If the marriage ever ends..."

She paused. "...the shares remain yours."

I frowned. "But I need your promise."

"You have it."

"I want you to stay committed to her."

"I will."

"I don't want my daughter abandoned."

Her voice trembled for the first time. "I don't ever want her to feel disposable."

I looked at the woman who had survived more than anyone realized. "My first husband used to beat me," she whispered.

"I stayed because I thought I had nowhere else to go."

Pain flickered across her face before disappearing. "I never want Liana to experience that kind of marriage."

Something inside me hardened. "I'm not that kind of man."

No, I hunted men like that. "I bury men who raise their hands against women."

Every word came from somewhere deep inside me. "I swear to you..."

"I will never hurt your daughter."

My voice lowered. "I'd die before I allowed anyone else to hurt her."

For the first time since she'd entered my office...the grief in Isabella's eyes eased.

"That's exactly what I needed to hear."

She rose to her feet.."So..."

A curious smile returned to her lips.."Tell me something."

I walked around the desk with her. "You're only thirty-one."

She looked me up and down.."You're successful."

"You could marry almost any woman in the world."

She stopped beside the door. "So why my daughter?"

I could've lied but I smiled to myself because some truths had become impossible to hide.

"She's the most beautiful woman I've ever known."

I opened the door for Isabella. "I'd have to be the biggest fool alive not to spend the rest of my life trying to make her mine."