My Safest Danger

The One-Minute Wedding

Damien's POV

The priest glanced between us. “Now that the groom is here, we can begin the ceremony.”

“There's no need for that.” I pulled out the marriage certificate and showed him. “I'm married already.”

A frown pulled at his lips.“Does that mean I'm not needed here?”

I pulled her against me as she struggled to slip away. “I just need your blessing, Father.”

The priest cleared his throat and raised his hand. “May God bless you both and keep your marriage strong. I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

She gasped, and I cupped her chin, my gaze sweeping across the crowd. Some were leaning closer to listen, their murmurs and whispers growing louder. When I spotted the bastard, my lips curved into a smirk.

I spun her around, turning her back to the crowd. “I don't know when I'll have you in my arms again, but I'm not letting this chance slip away.” Leaning closer, she pressed her lips firmly together. I nipped at her lower lip, and they parted. Taking that opportunity, I deepened the kiss, savoring the taste of her lips.

My gaze moved between the guests, watching their reactions. Jace rose from his chair and walked away, his toy trailing behind him.

Skylar bit down hard on my lip. I released her chin, tasting blood. My fingers closed around her wrist, pulling her away from the hall before she could explode and ruin my plan.

“Who the heck do you think you are, to do whatever the hell you want?” She shoved a hand against my chest and pointed toward the door. “What was that stunt you just pulled? And the marriage certificate? You must be crazy.”

“Let's take a seat and I'll explain everything.”

She cut me off with a raised hand. “Don't.” Her eyes darted toward the crowd already making their way out, and when she spotted her secretary, her hand curled into a fist as she went after him.

The horrified guy spotted her and swerved into another passage. She quickened her steps, calling after him.

This wasn't going to end well. I sighed and slowly made my way toward them.

He came to a stop at the end of the passage, with nowhere left to run. She caught up to him and grabbed him by the collar.

“Let me explain, Skylar,”he pleaded, clasping his hands together.

“What explanation? That you sold me to the devil himself? She let out a laugh shaking her head. “What's the difference between you and Mia, hun?”

He gently loosened her grip and lowered her hands. “I'm sorry. I was only trying to help you.”

Her fists clenched at her sides as she stared at him. “Go on, let’s hear what you’ve to say.”

“I found out who he really was from the beginning. He approached me, actually.” He lowered his gaze to the floor. “Salvatore Russo never agreed to any meeting with us. You don't know how happy I was when he willingly came to me at the time you were looking for Damien.” His gaze lifted to mine, and I gave him a warning look. “That's all I have to say.”

“How sure are you?” Her eyes raked over me with disgust before turning to him. “He is Salvatore. This man here is so obsessed with everything I do.”

“It's him. I checked every single document, even visited him in his office and…”

“Thumbs up, Zack.” She turned away from him, and he grabbed her wrist.

One of my brows lifted. His eyes shifted to me, silently pleading for me to help him.

I averted my gaze. Everyone should carry their own cross.

“Your explanation won't help you.” She leaned closer to him and lowered her voice. “Go check the CCTV footage around this venue. I need to find a strange man.”

“My men are already after him,” I cut in, ignoring the surprised look on her face. “Even at the hotel when you went home this morning, and even right now, they’re stationed everywhere.” I adjusted my cuff. “No one will ever lay a hand on you.”

Her eyes scanned the room as though she could suddenly spot them. “I knew it.”

I nodded toward the door at the secretary and he walked away immediately. Reaching into my breast pocket, I stared at her face for a second before handing her a folded paper.

Her eyes moved across the lines, her grip tightening until the paper crumpled slightly in her hand.

“Is this some kind of joke?” The paper trembled between her fingers. “If this wasn't forged by you, why would someone want me dead?”

“Stop repeating that.” I took a step closer. “Your brain is creating a coping mechanism. Why would I play with your life?”

“Why is the top part torn?” she asked, pointing at the torn edge.

My gaze flickered to the torn edge. I snatched it from her and slipped it back into my pocket. “It must have caught on something. Probably when my men pulled it from the file.”

She frowned, her gaze dropping briefly to the pocket where I'd slipped the paper. “How did you get a hold of this, then?”

“I have my ways. You don't need to know how I got it. What matters is that it's real.”

She stared at me. “If you're really Salvatore Russo, then who is Damien Rodriguez?”

I was about to respond when a female bodyguard walked in and handed me a file. She gave Skylar a brief glance before leaving. I signed the document, then placed it in her palm.

Her eyes dropped to the file. They widened as she read. “A contract marriage agreement?” She pushed it back toward me. “Absolutely never.”

“Read it first before you make a decision.”

“I don't need to.” She shook her head. “I'm not signing anything.”

“You seem to have forgotten something.” I leaned closer, stopping with only a few inches between our faces. “We're already married. You signed every document I sent through Zack.” I tilted her chin upward. “Do you have any idea how much it cost me to get that marriage certificate without you being present?”

Her nostrils flared as she glared at me.“That certificate is illegal.”

“Perhaps.” I lowered my hand, letting it rest against her shoulder. “But it's still a marriage certificate, and as far as the records are concerned, you're my wife.”

“A mere piece of paper doesn't make me your wife, Salvatore.”

“It's Damien,” I corrected.

Wasn’t she supposed to agree immediately? Money wouldn’t work on her. Even if she were broke, I was certain she’d refuse it.

She spun on her heel and marched away.

“Wait.” I hurried after her. “Jace is already working with your uncle’s lawyer. If you don't accept this now, he'll move forward with whatever they're planning.”

Her feet came to a stop, then she turned toward me.

I closed the distance between us. “Listen, Skylar. “You just need to stay under my roof. That's all. In case you're scared of being alone with me, there are plenty of people there, both men and women.”

She took it, scanning the pages before her finger stopped on a particular clause. “Neither party shall intrude upon the other's privacy.” She looked up at me. “If this is true…”

“Yes.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Anyone who breaks that rule pays five thousand dollars for every violation.”

Her eyes dropped back to the contract.

“Basically, we're just roommates,” I added. “Roommates who might not even get to see each other.”

She studied the contract for a few more seconds and sighed. “Where do I sign?”