THE BILLIONAIRE EX-CONVICT BRIDE

CHAPTER 5: PROPOSAL II

“Marry you?” I ask, my voice in a low tone but just loud enough for him to hear.

I stand still dumbfounded and trying to make sense of his words.

This had to be a joke right?

Hell, I didn't know him at all, and he’d just killed a man right in front of me. Who knows how dangerous he could be? If he could kill a man regardless of it being a threat, then what are the odds that he wouldn't kill me as well?

He moved closer with slow steps that made my pulse quicken with each step closer to me. His hand reached out, but this time he was more gentle. His fingers lifted my chin, forcing me to look up at his cold eyes.

"Yes," he said, his voice emotionless and low. "Marry me."

I could feel my breath caught in my throat as I blinked, my head still spinning in circles. He couldn’t be serious. No one asked someone they’d just met to marry them. Especially not after what had just happened.

I shook my head; I couldn’t even get any words out of my mouth as I stared into his eyes; I was frightened but yet intrigued.

"You can't be serious," I finally managed, my voice shaky. His lips curled into an amusing smile.

His eyes bored into mine, that smile never leaving his face.

"What's it going to be then?" His voice was calm, too calm, sending cold shivers down my spine. "You either agree, or I leave you here. You can protect yourself after all." He kicked the smile still printed on his face.

He was mocking me, enjoying the way I was helpless.

“You can't leave me here,” I reply, my voice shaking still but I try to muster all confidence.

“And who said I can't ?” His brow shot up as if daring me to test him.

I felt my legs weaken but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction he wanted.

“If I die, you'll be held responsible.” I don't know where all the confidence was coming from but I wanted to know what he would do.

“And who will hold me responsible huh? “ He chuckles, “You'd be surprised at what I can do, doll.”

I swallowed hard at his word. Never have I been addressed as a ‘doll’, but coming from him, it sounded majestic.

Part of me wanted to run. To scream from all the pain I felt through the night, how helpless I was and he knew that. But another part of me—the part I hated—was curious. Curiosity pulled me toward him like a dangerous magnet. There was something about him that kept me wanting more, to see how far he could go. that kept dragging me in, even when I knew I should turn and leave. And find somewhere else for refuge.

"So what’s it going to be?" His brow raised, eyes still locked on mine. His voice was colder now. "Don’t get me wrong. I’m not attracted to you. Not even the slightest. But right now, I need to get married."

His words hit me harder than I expected. My chest tightened, an unfamiliar ache spreading through me. Why did it hurt to hear that he didn’t find me attractive at all? I barely knew him, and yet his indifference stung hard.

I barely knew this man, and yet, I wanted something of a reaction from him.

The alley broke silent for a while with only the sound of the wind being heard as I kept looking at him.

“Why?”

Why did he want to marry me? I'm sure there were countless women out there who would want to marry him, so why? He was handsome. He didn't need to even lift a finger before getting every model to accept his proposal without a second thought.

For all he knew I could be dangerous.

His voice deeply broke through my thoughts again. "Here’s the deal." His tone darkened with narrowed eyes and for the first time, I saw the real danger in his eyes. "You’ll be my wife until we have a child. And in return, I’ll get you out of here and I will give you whatever you want.”

His words hung heavy and dangerous with zero emotions, like the calm before a storm. My heart thudded in my chest. The anger from earlier rushed back, and the images of Aiden and Laura's faces came rushing into my mind as a picture of them together reminded me of their betrayal, suddenly turning my pain into pure anger.

The pain of my best friend suddenly being married to the same man who took everything away from me made my heart boil in fury. I needed to show him I was better than anyone could have ever imagined. They wanted a reaction from me and I was going to give them one. What better way of getting revenge than getting married to another man the next day?

Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak, the banging sound came again. Making the man loosen the grip he had on my chin and move over in its direction.

He slowly left my chin before making his way to the direction of the sound, pulling something from the back of his pocket– a gun.

He reached out towards the direction of the alley raising his gun at whatever was making the sound. A second later, he dropped the gun down and tucked it in his pocket.

Suddenly a rat ran out of the trash bin just where the sound was coming from.

My pounding heart suddenly became at ease at the sight of the animal.

He stood staring in the direction of the sound for some seconds before turning to leave. His mood was suddenly compared to before. He walked past me, not sparing me even the slightest glance.

Just as he was about to reach the car in front of the cold street I mustered back all my courage.

“Alright, Let's get married then.”