Burning Desire of the Ruthless Ruler

Hotel Bellagio, Milan — Midnight Crystal chandeliers glittered throughout the luxurious reception hall, where an extravagant wedding reception had been arranged at a moment’s notice. “Sir! We have a problem. Your bride … she ran away.” Lucien Deveraux immediately turned around and grabbed the man by the collar with both hands. “Useless bastard,” he spat, his sharp gaze piercing straight through him. “Find her. And if you don’t … I’ll end your life tonight.” The man swallowed hard and nodded frantically. “Yes, Sir.” A few minutes later, Laura Marchand was running down one of the hotel corridors, her long wedding gown dragging across the polished floor behind her. Her breathing came in ragged gasps, her face was pale with panic, and her hands trembled as she clutched the high heels she had kicked off to make her escape easier. “I–I have to get out of here,” she whispered shakily. Her heart pounded wildly, not only from running but also from the fear that had already taken hold of her. She knew exactly who was chasing her. Not one of the wedding guests. Not her family, because she had been completely alone at the hotel tonight. It was Lucien Deveraux—the man she had just left behind. “LAURA!” His deep voice echoed through the corridor. Laura abruptly stopped when two of Lucien’s men stepped into her path. Her breath caught in her throat, and her entire body froze. Then came the sound of Lucien’s footsteps—slow, steady, unhurried. As though there was nothing in this world capable of stopping him. And there wasn’t. Lucien’s orders were absolute. Laura bit her lip, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. Within seconds, Lucien stood before her with both hands casually tucked into his trouser pockets. He towered over her, his perfectly tailored black suit emphasizing his broad, muscular frame. His gray eyes were cold and piercing, like spears capable of penetrating straight into her heart. “How dare you run from me?” His voice was icy. There was no explosion of anger, and somehow, that frightened Laura even more. “I refuse to marry a murderer like you!” Laura finally shouted, even though her voice trembled. “My father … he died because of you, Lucien! And you expect me to live with the man who killed my father?” A faint smile appeared on Lucien’s lips. There was something almost mocking about it, as if her father’s death meant nothing to him. “Don’t act like you know everything, sweetheart.” “What you saw ten years ago … wasn’t my fault.” Lucien leaned closer before whispering, “It was your father’s fault for being too weak.” Laura took a step backward, anger blazing across her face. But Lucien moved faster. He easily cornered her against the wall, his large hand closing around her wrist. He wasn’t rough, but his grip was firm enough to make sure she couldn’t escape again. “Listen carefully,” he said in a low voice. His face was so close that Laura could feel his warm breath against her skin. “You can hate me. Curse me. Even try to run a thousand times.” His eyes remained locked on hers. “But I will always find you.” Laura’s breathing grew heavier. “If anyone dares to hide you from me ….” Lucien murmured, a dangerous smile slowly forming on his lips, “I’ll tear Milan apart just to find you, Laura.” He seemed satisfied when he saw the fear in her eyes disappear, replaced by defiance. “You’ve belonged to me since the day we met.” The words triggered something buried deep within Laura’s memory. Lucien’s cold gaze. His deep voice. The memory came rushing back like an unstoppable storm. Three Years Ago — Marseille Port The sea wind cut through the night, carrying the sharp scent of salt mixed with the metallic stench of blood. Gunfire erupted between two opposing factions, shattering the silence of the harbor. Laura had just returned from work and never imagined that night would turn into a nightmare. She froze in terror when she heard the gunshots. From behind a row of massive shipping containers, she spotted a man collapsed on the ground, blood pouring from a gunshot wound in his abdomen. She should have run. She knew she should have. Yet, for some reason, her feet carried her toward him instead. Curiosity overpowered fear. “Are … are you still alive?” Laura asked softly. Despite his pale face and blood-soaked clothes, the man slowly lifted his head and looked at her. His gray eyes were sharp as a wolf’s, yet exhausted, like a man standing on the edge of death. “Go,” he muttered weakly, his voice barely audible. “Or you’ll die.” Laura examined his wound and ignored his warning. The bullet had pierced the side of his abdomen. “Stay still,” she ordered. With trembling hands, Laura tore a strip from the bottom of her shirt and wrapped it around his wound as best as she could. She pressed the fabric firmly against the injury, causing the man to hiss in pain. “Leave me and save yourself!” he growled between labored breaths. “You’ll die if I leave that wound untreated,” Laura replied. The man studied her serious expression, seemingly impressed by her stubbornness. A faint smile appeared on his otherwise cold face. “What’s your name?” Before Laura could answer, heavy footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby. Men’s voices mixed with angry shouts filled the air. “They’re coming,” Lucien whispered. “Go. Now!” Laura shook her head. Her eyes fell on the pistol in Lucien’s weakened hand. A reckless idea suddenly crossed her mind. “Give me the gun.” Lucien stared at her in disbelief. “You’re no match for them.” “If I don’t protect you, you’ll die here,” Laura said firmly. She held out her hand. “Give it to me. Now!” After a moment of hesitation, Lucien handed over the weapon. Laura had never even held a gun before, yet she stepped in front of him. She steadied her breathing as two armed men emerged from behind the containers, each carrying a pistol. Laura raised the gun, her hand trembling slightly. The two men laughed, clearly amused by the sight of a woman trying to threaten them. But when one of them took a step forward, Laura pulled the trigger without hesitation, squeezing her eyes shut. BANG! The gunshot echoed through the harbor. One of the men screamed and grabbed his leg. Lucien stared at Laura in surprise. With the last of his strength, he reached for the spare pistol tucked into his belt and fired at the second man with deadly precision. Silence returned. Once it was over, Laura dropped to her knees, gasping for breath. The hand holding the gun trembled violently. She turned toward Lucien. He was smiling faintly, though she couldn’t tell whether it was out of relief or amusement at her reckless courage. “Why did you save me?” Lucien asked. “Did you think I could just stand there and watch someone die?” Laura pushed herself to her feet. “Go to the nearest hospital before your wound gets worse.” She turned to leave. But before she could take another step, Lucien suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. Laura stumbled forward. Their lips collided. For a moment, she was too shocked to react. “Bastard!” Laura shoved him away, her face burning with fury. “I should have left you there to die!”