Chapter Two
1402 Words
"Don’t move.” The words sliced through the night like a blade.
For a second, the world stopped breathing.
The man’s gun gleamed under the flickering neon lights, pointed straight at us. My heart slammed violently against my ribs, the alcohol in my bloodstream suddenly turning to ice.
I couldn’t move or even think.
The stranger holding me—my mysterious savior—didn’t loosen his grip. His arm stayed firm around my waist, keeping me steady as I swayed slightly on my feet.
But his body countenance had changed. He went still, deadly still.
“Easy,” he said calmly, his deep voice steady in the tense silence.
The man with the gun sneered. “You should’ve walked away and left me alone with this….” he eyed me from top to bottom, as he licked his lips. I felt disgusted.
I felt the stranger beside me shift slightly, subtly placing himself between me and the weapon.
“Let the lady go,” the attacker barked.
My savior chuckled softly. It was a dark sound. “You’re the one who should leave.”
Everything happened at once.
The gunman lunged forward, rage twisting his face…and the stranger moved, fast. He was faster than I could process. His hand shot out, grabbing the man’s wrist just as the gun fired. The deafening bang echoed through the alley and I screamed.
The bullet slammed into the brick wall beside us as the stranger twisted the attacker’s arm violently. The gun clattered to the ground.
Then chaos exploded.
The man swung wildly, but my protector blocked the punch and drove his fist straight into the attacker’s jaw and a c***k echoed through the alley.
The man staggered but he didn’t fall.
Instead, he roared and charged again.
I stumbled backward, feeling dizzy and terrified, watching the two men collide like predators. Their fists are flying. The stranger moved like a war machine and looked like the angel of death at this point.
Another punch, a kick and he slammed his head against the brick wall. The man was bleeding.
The attacker tried to grab the gun again. Well, that was a big mistake.
The stranger kicked it away and slammed the man into the alley wall so hard I heard the air leave his lungs.
Then one final punch sent him crashing to the ground and everywhere went silent.
My breathing came out in ragged bursts as the man groaned weakly before scrambling up and running into the darkness.
And just like that he was gone.
My legs finally gave out and before I could reach the floor strong arms caught me.
“Easy,” the stranger murmured.
I clutched his coat as my fingers trembled. “Oh my God…” I whispered.
Up close, I finally saw his face clearly. He had a sharp jawline, a mustache, and a beard combination that went well with his dark eyes. He was so f*****g handsome and strangely familiar…or maybe I was too drunk.
“You’re safe,” he said quietly.
I let out a shaky laugh. “Safe?” My voice wobbled. “That man had a gun!”
“And he doesn’t anymore.” The confidence in his voice was maddeningly steady.
My head spun from alcohol and adrenaline. “You… you just fought him like it was nothing. That was f*****g dangerous. We could have died!”
His gaze swept over me, assessing. “You’re drunk.”
Despite everything, I giggled. The sound surprised even me.
The stranger sighed. “Can you walk?”
I tried and my heel twisted immediately and another laugh came out of me. “Apparently not.”
He muttered something under his breath before scooping me into his arms like I weighed nothing.
“Hey!” I protested weakly.
“You almost got shot tonight,” he said. “You’ve lost the right to argue.”
I blinked up at him. “You’re bossy.” I pouted.
He smirked slightly. “You’re reckless.”
Touche. The cold night air hit my face as he carried me down the street. A sleek black car waited at the curb, and a driver stepped out immediately, opening the door.
“Take us back to my hotel,” the stranger said simply.
I squinted at him. “You own a hotel or something?” my words slur.
“Yes,” he said one word.
“Of course you do,” I muttered. It makes sense though, the mysterious man who fights like a superhero is also rich.
The car ride blurred by.
I leaned against the leather seat, watching the city lights streak past the window. “Why did you help me?” I asked suddenly.
He glanced at me. “Because you needed help.”
“That’s… annoyingly noble,” I said at the boring answer. I didn't know the answer I was expecting.
He didn’t respond.
The car stopped minutes later and we stepped out in front of an enormous luxury hotel glowing with golden lights.
“Whoa,” I whispered.
Inside, everything screamed money. It had marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and I knew it was not just any hotel.
The staff greeted him immediately. “Good evening, Mr. Moreau.”
Oh. So he’s that kind of rich.
He guided me into a private elevator and up to the top floor and the doors opened into a massive penthouse suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city.
I whistled softly. “Okay… I hate my husband even more now.”
He paused. “Your husband?” The bitterness bubbled up instantly.
“Oh yeah,” I scoffed, grabbing the bottle of whiskey sitting on the bar. “Julian. The cheating, lying, arrogant bastard.”
I poured myself a drink and drank it like water, then another. The stranger watched silently.
“You know what the worst part is?” I continued, pacing unsteadily. “I married him because of my family, legacy, the stupid headlines. And he still cheats.” I laughed bitterly. “Tonight I caught him flirting with some woman as if I didn’t exist.” My throat tightened as I continued to rant, while he listened. “For months I felt invisible.”
The room fell quiet and he finally spoke. “You’re not invisible.”
His voice was low and he sounded certain. My eyes met his. For the first time that night… I felt seen. The way he looked at me sent heat racing through my body.
“Careful,” I murmured. “I make bad decisions when I am drunk.”
He stepped closer. “So do I.”
The tension snapped and suddenly his hand was on my waist. My breath hitched. “You should stop me,” I whispered.
“You should stop me first.”
Neither of us did and the kiss hit like lightning. It was fierce and filled with hunger and months of frustration and anger exploded all at once. I pulled him closer, fingers gripping his shirt as the world spun around us.
For the first time in forever, I didn’t feel trapped. I felt alive.
“I need more..” I whispered and he carried me into his arms.
“Let me show you how much more I can give you,” he growled and took me inside as we kissed wildly.
*********
The sunlight stabbed through my eyelids the next morning as my head throbbed violently.
“Ugh…” I groaned and rolled over. The sheets were soft, the bed was warm. Then it hit me. This is not my penthouse.
My eyes flew open and panic jolted through me as memories crashed back in flashes—Julian… the bar… the fight… the stranger…
The stranger!!! I sat up quickly and the man was gone but something else caught my attention.
My hand. There was a ring on my finger. A diamond ring. A very large diamond ring.
“What the hell….” My voice died when I saw the documents on the bedside table.
My heart pounded as I grabbed them.
The first one made my stomach drop.
It was a marriage license that was signed with someone else's signature.
The second document made my breath stop entirely. They were divorce papers for Julian. And the third paper? A simple note written in bold handwriting.
My pulse thundered as I read it.
Good morning, wife.
- Writer
