Chapter 20: Our First Fight

NILAHThe bedroom in the Castellano mansion was too big, and it was entirely too quiet.I sat on the edge of the massive king-sized bed, my hands tightly gripping the hem of my old, oversized sweater until my fingers turned white. It was my first night being married. Of course, I didn't expect sex or anything like that.We had signed the papers out of sheer survival for my family name and to protect my shop from going under, but up until a few hours ago, Darien had been so romantic. He had been so gentle with me at the courthouse, guiding me through the media chaos, looking at me like I actually mattered to him.I had actually felt safe. I thought maybe, just maybe, this contract wouldn't be a nightmare. I thought he was different from Marcus.But then the heavy front doors downstairs slammed shut with a violent force that rattled the glass fixtures in the hallway, followed by the loud, unsteady thud of his boots coming up the stairs.The bedroom door flew open, slamming against the w

Chapter 21: Kill On Sight

DarienThe tires of my sports car screeched loudly against the wet road as I tore out of the mansion’s driveway, the engine shouting through the empty streets.The rain was coming down in thick sheets, hammering against the windshield, but I didn't slow down. My hands were gripping the steering wheel so tight my taped knuckles were throbbing.I was completely losing my mind.All I could see was the image of that brunette girl in the club, her lips touching my mouth, and the sudden, violent wave of disgust that had hit my stomach. I had never felt like that in my life. I had always been able to use people, to use distractions to numb whatever was stressing me out, but tonight it had failed completely.Because of Nilah."For fucks bloody sake," I growled, slamming my palm against the steering wheel as I sped through a red light.I hated how much power she was starting to have over me. I hated that I had gone home drunk, looked at her sweet, innocent face, and completely unleashed all

Chapter 22: Name A Price

DARIENThe downtown warehouse district was completely dead. Thick fog covered the docks, and the freezing, heavy rain made it almost impossible to see two feet ahead.My eyes locked onto the shadows of her father, Arthur, standing under a rusted metal side . L"You're late," Arthur gasped, spinning around. He clutched his chest, his pale face turning even whiter when he saw the expression on my face. " Darien, you scared the hell out of me. Did you empty the guards like I told you? Are we completely alone?""We're alone," I said. My voice was completely dead, freezing right through the sound of the pouring rain. I stepped closer, using my massive frame to trap him against the rusted metal wall. "You have exactly two minutes to tell me why you dragged me out of my house in the middle of the night, old man. Talk."Arthur didn't look scared anymore. Suddenly, his face twisted into a desperate, hardened look. He stepped right up to me, trying to look brave despite the rain dripping down

Chapter 23: Possessive Claiming

NILAHThe bedroom door flew off the latch, slamming against the drywall. I jumped out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floorboards as my heart instantly slammed into my throat.The room was pitch black, but Darien’s massive silhouette filled the doorway like an apex predator locking onto its prey. He was completely soaked from the storm, his wet shirt clinging to the heavy muscles of his chest, and the raw stench of freezing rain and pure, unhinged fury came off him in suffocating waves.He didn't say a single word to me. He marched straight across the dark room, his heavy boots thudding against the floor. Before I could even step back, his large, calloused hands gripped my waist, lifting me completely off the ground."Darien, let me go!" I choked out, my fingers clawing desperately at his wet shoulders. "What is wrong with you? Let me down!"He didn't listen. He shoved me flat against the heavy wooden wall of the bedroom, his massive body pinning mine down so hard the air left

Chapter 24: The Wet Floor

NILAJThe heat coming off Darien's body was suffocating, He kept my wrists pinned tight above my head with one hand, His other hand slid down from my waist, his rough, calloused fingers digging into the bare skin of my thigh, forcing my legs apart until I was completely open to him against the wall."Darien, please," I breathed, my head tilting back against the hard wood as his mouth left mine, tracing a path of burning, heavy kisses down my jawline to the hollow of my neck.My tits were pressed against his chest, my nipples hard and aching, rubbing against the wet fabric of his shirt with every breath I took."Please what, Nilah?" he growled against my skin, his voice thick, gravelly, and completely undone. His teeth grazed my collarbone, biting down just hard enough to make me gasp."Tell me exactly what you want."I couldn't answer. My heart was hammering so violently against my ribs I could barely swallow. The raw male dominance radiating from him was overwhelming, erasing every s

Chapter 25: Forbidden Touch

NILAHThe heat coming off Darien's body was too much. It burned right through the freezing rain soaking his clothes, radiating off his skin in waves that made my head spin. He kept my wrists pinned tight above my head with one massive hand, his grip like steel around my bones. I couldn't move an inch. His other hand slid down my waist, his rough, calloused fingers digging into the soft flesh of my bare thigh, forcing my legs apart until I was completely open to him against the wall."Darien, please," I choked out, my head tilting back against the hard wood. The rain had soaked through my thin shirt, plastering the fabric to my skin, my nipples hard and aching against the wet material.His mouth left mine, biting a path of heavy, hot kisses down my jaw straight to my neck. His teeth scraped against my pulse point, his tongue dragging over the sensitive skin, tasting the rain and salt and the desperate heat pouring off me."Please what, Nilah?" he growled against my skin, his voice thic