The Krasniqi Bride

2: The Ride

Valon's POV

The black SUV speeds through the night. The engine hums low under, the rain taps the roof in a steady beat. We leave Pristina behind. The city lights fade as the road climbs into the mountains.

Liridona sits next to me. Her wrists stay locked behind her with zip-ties. She keeps quiet now but I can see her body trembling a little. She is furious, she thinks she is hiding her emotions well but her face shows it clearly.

I watch her closely. Tear tracks mark her cheeks, her jaw stays clenched tight and her good eye glares straight ahead. I do not know why she chose not to glare at me, that would have been fun. I am bored at the moment.

Her eye still burns with anger even when everything else looks defeated. Her chest rises and falls fast because she is breathing quickly. I can hear it in the quiet car.

Her scent fills the small space; the rain on her skin, her sweat, the hint of fear on her face and something sweet underneath. The smell mixes with fight. It pulls at me so hard.

I know she has fire in her and I want to quench it with my hands. She had refused me in the server room, she spat in my face and cursed my whole family but her mouth answered my kiss even though she fought it. A fight she was bound to lose. That moment sticks in my head. I already want more and I am already addicted.

Pride fills my chest. She belongs to me. She just does not know it yet but she will learn.

It is funny how life works. This is not the first time I am meeting Liridona or let me say seeing her and this is not her first time stealing from me.

A smirk forms on my face as I remember the first time I saw her. She is fiery.

I lean back as I let silence fill the car. She trembles harder.

I take out the secure phone. It is black and cold and only for my use. I dial Drilon.

He answers on the first ring.

“Boss.”

“Prepare for a wedding ceremony tonight at the estate chapel,” I utter. My voice stays flat. “The dress, papers and witnesses. Do it immediately.”

There was no pause from him or questions.

“Understood.”

The call ends and I put the phone away.

I turn to my fiery girl.

She stares out the window, refusing to look at me. I do not know what she thinks she is doing. Does she think not looking at me will solve anything? Too bad for her.

I lift the phone again and tap the screen.

The live feed appears.

Diellza sits small in the back of another car. Her eyes stay wide with her hands folded tight in her lap. A guard sits beside her.

She looks so scared. Scratch that, she is scared.

Liridona’s breath catches in her throat.

I hold the phone closer to her face.

“She lives,” I tell her in a cold, certain voice. “And that is only because I allow it.”

Her eye flicks to the screen, then it flicks to me. There is hate swirling in the eye. That is good. I never wanted her to like me. Where is the fun?

I lower the phone and move my hands, my fingers settle on her thigh. She stiffens at once.

I keep my palm there, it is warm against her wet fabric. She tries to shift away but the seat belt stops her.

I slide my thumb along the seam of her pants, slowly. Her leg tenses under my touch. I was not expecting that reaction so I brush higher and stop just short.

My voice drops low.

“You will learn to want this.”

She snaps her head toward me. Before there was hate, but now venom fills her stare.

“Never.”

She said immediately in a sharp voice but her body totally disagrees. Who is she deceiving?

Her thigh presses into my hand. It is a small unconscious movement. I smile.

She turns her face away again, her breath comes faster but I keep my hand there. No way I am removing it after that reaction.

I feel her pulse through the cloth. It is quick and strong.

The road climbs higher and the city lights vanish completely, Pristina disappearing completely behind us.

Mountain air slips through the vents. Cold. Pine scent. Stone.

She shivers.

I move closer towards her and my shoulder brushes hers.

She does not pull away this time. My thumb strokes again in a light circle.

Her breath hitches so I watch her face.

A tear forms in the corner of her good eye but she blinks it back. So she has pride. Why not just let the tear fall? It is not like she is going anywhere if the tear does not fall.

But I like pride. Her pride.

It makes the break sweeter. The road curves and the estate gates appear ahead; tall iron flanked by guards.

Lights glow through the mist.

The gates open slowly and the SUV passes through. Gravel crunches under the tires.

The mansion rises in front. It is surrounded by stone walls and has lit windows. There is a fountain in the courtyard, the water glows blue-white.

She stares at it. At least something caught her attention.

I remove my hand from her thigh and lean in a little bit letting my breath brush her ear.

“Welcome home.”

She does not answer but her body stays tense.

The SUV stops and the doors unlock.

I step out first. The cold air rushes in.

I reach back, grip her arm and pull her out.

She stumbles, and I realized her legs are weak. Pathetic. What did I do that made her legs weak? Nothing.

I steady her, but she glares at me.

Her eye is fierce. That does nothing to me. I gave her a smirk.