The Replaced Bride’s fortune

Chapter 28

Adrian’s POV

I was still kneeling in desperate apology when Barrett’s voice cut in. I found myself unmoving, my neck snapping quick towards him. Like the sight burned him, I watched Barrett turn around immediately.

Good thinking

He refused to see me on my knees in front of my wife. Deep down, I didn’t even care. If it meant my wife would return, I’d do it in front of a crowd. I’d even sell tickets. Hell, if even shoot a small film of the whole damn thing myself.

From my kneeling position, She pulled me to my feet, her hand warm around my arm, and I held onto that small touch longer than I should have.

Could I take it as her forgiving me?

I glanced at my wife and she averted her gaze, but I didn’t miss the small flush creeping up her skin or the way she bit her lips as it tilted into a shy smile.

She must have found the whole thing funny. Do I start a circus now?

I pulled her close with one swift motion, taking advantage of the small opening she gave. Her hands flew to my chest to steady herself, her t-shirt riding up at the sides, a sliver of smooth skin coming into view.

I felt my pants tighten at the small glance, my heart tightening against my chest.

Quickly remembering we weren’t alone, I turned to Barrett, who still stood at the passageway, his back to us, shoulders rigid.

“What is it?” I asked. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.

“Ahem. Sir—” he started, his back still turned to us.

My wife stirred at my side, wanting to slip free from my hold, but I didn’t let her. I was a selfish addict like that.

“You can turn around now, Barrett. Get on with it — I’m quite busy here.”

He finally turned, his gaze cast down as he continued. “Sir, we have an emergency at the—” he paused, his eyes cutting to my wife, calculating. He was probably weighing how much he could say with her present.

“You can speak freely. She’s my wife.” I felt Brianna’s gaze slide up to me in that moment. I flashed her a smile, and she dug her fingers into my side before I returned my attention to Barrett.

“There seems to be an emergency at the warehouse. Colton just called — some men are making trouble for the export team.”

I let out a deep sigh. Really?

There were still people who dared to stand in my way?

Humans were peculiar creatures. No matter how many times I made examples of those who crossed me, it never seemed to stick until they experienced it for themselves.

This was something Barrett could handle easily, but I assumed he must have already tried that — otherwise he wouldn’t be standing here right now.

“What about the security team? They couldn’t contain them?”

“No, sir. According to Colton, they’ve resorted to breaking things. They’re being quite a nuisance.”
I felt my wife’s body tense beside me as she continued to hear of the situation.

I had to leave and resolve this before it escalated. I’d hate for the police to get involved.

“Any casualties?”

“None at the moment but we have a few injured men.”

I sighed, throwing my head back at the whole situation. These people just never learned.

“Alright. Get ready. We will set out soon.”

“Yes sir.” With that Barrett shuffles out.

My wife finally pulled free from my hold, staggering backward as she did. Her breathing came out in small, quick bursts, as though she’d just completed a full workout.

I watched her for a moment, amusement tugging at the corner of my lips.

That reminded me, I needed to get her on track with a daily work out routine. As much as I loved her small and easy to carry, she needed to be able to defend herself if it ever came to that.

Not that I intended to ever let that happen.

I would burn this entire city to the ground before I let anyone lay a hand on her.

But my world wasn’t a safe one. I’d made too many enemies and foes on my way up.

In my field of work, nothing was out of the question. I had too many eyes on me, people who had money on my head.

Rivals scattered across the country, men who would gladly use the people I cared about to get to me.

“What happened?” She asked, her eyes turned soft, visibly concerned.

I placed a hand on my heart, feigned hurt and pouted. “My wife just kicked me out of our room. I’m so wounded and devastated.”

She rolled her eyes at my obvious tease, unimpressed. Her eyes still holding concern. “I meant with your work. Is it really bad? Do you have to go?”

The teasing left my face immediately I heard the seriousness in her tone. “Yes,” I responded. “It’s bad.”

Her expression shifted.

“There’s something I need to handle personally. If I don’t, it gets worse.”

“And worse for you would means that it is dangerous.”

I gave a small smile. “WOW, You’re catching on pretty quickly baby.”

She glared, crossing her arms. “I’m serious, Adrian.”

“So am I.”

I stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I wouldn’t leave if it wasn’t necessary.”

She looked at me for a moment. “Will you be gone long?”

“I’ll try not to be.”

She nodded, but I could still see the worry in her eyes.

“Well,” I started, “If you let me come sleep here, I could change my mind.”

“Adrian…” she glared, crossing her arms.

I raised both hands in surrender, a grin tugging at my lips. “Okay…okay. I’ll leave.” I raised my hands in surrender, making a show of it by pouting slightly.

She doesn’t budge, instead she holds me down with a glare.

I placed a hand over my chest dramatically. “Rejected by my own wife. This wound may never heal.”

She rolled her eyes, though I caught the slight twitch of her lips. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you married me.”

“That was hardly by choice.”

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Careful, wife. Keep talking like that and I might just stay.”

Her lips twitched like she was fighting a smile, but she quickly schooled her expression.

“Good. Then go handle your work.”

“But I might get hurt on the way, you know. Sure you won’t help nurse me back?”

A flash of concern flickered in her eyes and I quickly backtracked. I was only messing around, but I didn’t want her losing sleep over it — if she even would.

“I’m just messing around, baby. I promise. Everything’s fine. I’ll be back soon.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly. She nodded. “Okay.”

My wife had won. I took my loss with pride. I could always try again tomorrow.

I moved closer. She didn’t back away, and that small thing comforted me more than it should have.

I pulled her toward me, hands settling on her waist, and held her.

Her arms stayed limp at her sides for a few seconds before she wrapped them around me. “Be safe. Please.”

My smile was bigger than the whole damn universe.