Chapter Five
997 Words
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The sound of shattering glass echoed through the dimly lit room as Bianca smashed a cup against the wall. The fragments scattered across the hardwood floor, glinting in the light from the chandelier. Her fingers tangled in her dark hair, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. It had been four hours, and there was still no sign of Natalie.
Bianca spun around, her eyes blazing as they met Jake's. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.
"You're telling me that your army of men can't find a helpless woman in a wedding gown? Are you losing your mind?" Bianca snapped, her voice slicing through the tension like a knife.
In the corner, the groom-to-be, Philip, paced anxiously, his dress shoes clacking against the floor. "What am I supposed to do? I was ready to marry her! Everything is ruined! I already planned how to spend the money you were going to give me. I need her!" he yelled, his voice cracking with desperation.
"Shut him up, Jake," Bianca ordered, her gaze fixed on the window.
Without hesitation, Jake drew his gun. The groom’s eyes widened in shock as the gunshot rang out, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. He crumpled to the floor, a bullet hole in his skull, blood pooling beneath his head.
Bianca flinched. "I said shut him up, not kill him. Never mind, he's just a street thug. Get rid of the body," she huffed, turning back to the window. The city lights twinkled in the distance, indifferent to the violence inside. As Jake began to clean up the mess, she muttered to herself, "As long as you're alive, Natalie, I'll find you."
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Natalie had changed into comfortable clothes and now stood in a luxurious room with a king-sized bed draped in silk sheets. She ran her hand along the smooth fabric, a smile playing on her lips.
"This room screams wealth," she murmured, her eyes catching a photo on the bedside table. It depicted a woman and a little boy, both smiling warmly. "That must be him," she guessed, yawning. Exhaustion weighed on her, but she wanted to wait for him. Her new husband hadn’t returned with her and had left with his assistant.
"I'm glad I wasn't caught," she whispered, recalling her aunt's threats and the dangerous marriage she had narrowly escaped as sleep overtook her.
When she woke, the room was dark, and her eyes met a pair of cold, metallic ones staring at her from the shadows. She sat up abruptly, her heart racing, the silk sheets slipping off her lap.
"Sir, I didn't mean to sleep. I was just tired," she stammered, feeling his intense gaze pierce through her.
"Natalie Rivers," his deep voice cut through the silence, making her heart skip a beat. She looked up, meeting his angry eyes. He knew.
"Is that your name?" he asked, his aura cold and menacing, the shadows deepening the harsh lines of his face.
"I can explain..." she began, her voice trembling.
"Answer the question. Are you Natalie Rivers?" he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. She fiddled with the hem of her dress, her fingers trembling.
"Yes, I am," she admitted. As soon as the words left her mouth, he stood, towering over her like a dark specter.
"For deceiving me, should I kill you? You can only save yourself if you're not here to mess with me," he said dangerously, his voice a low growl.
"No, no, I'm not! My evil aunt planned a dangerous marriage for me. I escaped the wedding. Your assistant found me, and I had to lie. I'm so sorry," Natalie pleaded, her eyes wide and earnest, biting her lip nervously.
Dominic scrutinized her, his gaze unwavering. She seemed truthful, but her problems weren't his concern.
"Take your things and leave," he ordered, turning away dismissively. Natalie grabbed his sleeve, her touch desperate.
"Don't send me away! I'll do whatever you want. Just don't send me back," she begged, her voice cracking with emotion.
He turned slowly, his gaze as piercing as ever. Stepping closer, he lifted her chin with his index finger. "Being my wife means I'll own you. There's no turning back. You seem too fragile for my world," he warned, his voice a dangerous whisper.
Natalie took a deep breath, the air heavy with tension. She'd rather face his world than the misery her aunt planned. "Yes, I want to be your wife. In return, you'll protect me from my aunt," she declared boldly, her voice steady despite her fear. Dominic's lips curled into a devilish smile, his gaze sweeping over her body.
"Strip," he commanded, his voice cold and commanding.
Natalie's heart pounded in her chest. Strip? She hadn't expected this.
"What? You can't do it?" he taunted, raising an eyebrow. "Fine, get out."
"I'll do it!" she nearly yelled, her voice high-pitched with fear, hastily unbuttoning her shirt. She removed her clothes, exposing her smooth skin to his intense gaze. He stepped closer, trailing a finger down her cleavage, making her breath hitch.
"Not bad," he remarked, his voice low and approving. "Have you done this before?"
"What?" she asked, confused, her mind racing.
"You know what I mean," he said impatiently, his eyes narrowing. Natalie hesitated but decided to tell the truth. "Yes, I have," she whispered.
"Then I won't go easy on you," he said, pulling her onto the bed with a sudden movement. Natalie gasped as he pinned her hands above her head, his weight pressing down on her.
"Wait, can I think about this?" she asked, her voice trembling, her eyes wide with fear.
"You offered yourself to me. Are you changing your mind? The door is open for you," he replied coldly, his eyes boring into hers.
Natalie swallowed hard. Was she making the right decision? This man scared her. She needed t
o think fast.
"I need to pee!" she blurted out, her voice trembling.
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