CRIMSON VOWS

Chapter 2: The Deal

Aira's body stiffened. Her fingers curled into the soft silk of her skirt as Dominic's breath brushed against her ear. Every nerve in her body screamed, but she didn't flinch. Not yet.

"Are you out of your mind?" her fiancé, Reyan, barked, stepping forward. "You can't just barge in here and demand her. She's not some thing you can buy."

Dominic turned slowly, his head tilting just enough to make the gesture feel dangerous. He looked at Reyan as though he were nothing more than background noise.

"You must be the poor bastard she was forced to marry."

"Watch your mouth," Reyan growled, his fists clenched. "She's mine."

Dominic smirked.

"Not anymore."

Without warning, he raised a hand. One of his men shoved Reyan so hard that he slammed into the wall with a painful groan.

Aira gasped.

"You touch him again and..."

"And what, princess?" Dominic interrupted, turning back to her with infuriating calm. "You'll scream? Cry? Call the cops?"

He took a step toward her.

She took one back.

"I didn't come here to negotiate," he said, his voice low and steady. "This isn't about fairness. It's about payment. And you, Aira, are the only thing in this room worth five million."

Her cheeks burned, not with embarrassment, but with fury. She straightened her spine.

"I'd rather die."

Dominic's smile widened.

"Careful. Don't tempt me."

Her future father-in-law stumbled forward, his eyes wild with fear.

"Please, Mr. Moretti. She's just a girl. She's innocent."

"So were the last five men who begged me," Dominic replied without even looking at him. "They're part of my rose garden now. I hear fertilizer works best when it comes from cowards."

Aira's mother gasped.

Her own parents stood frozen in horror, unable to believe what was happening. Her mother reached for her, but Dominic's men blocked the way.

"You're a monster," Aira said, her voice trembling with rage. "You want a wife? Go buy one from a website. I'm not some bargain."

"But you are," he replied. "Exactly that. A bargain. You walk down the aisle with me, and everyone you love keeps breathing. That's a very generous deal."

He pulled a sleek black folder from his coat. Inside was a contract that had clearly been prepared in advance. As his eyes scanned the line meant for the bride's name, he clicked his tongue in irritation.

"She wasn't the one I expected," he muttered.

He turned to his right-hand man.

"Tear this up. I want a new contract drafted immediately. Her name is Aira Mehra."

The folder was taken away, and the man disappeared into another room with a portable case.

Dominic remained exactly where he was, standing in the center of the room like a king who had conquered without spilling a drop of blood.

He turned toward the guests, then to Aira's parents.

"She's all grown up, isn't she?" he asked mockingly. "Raised well. Smart. Beautiful."

His voice softened, though the venom remained.

"You must be proud."

Her mother trembled.

"She's engaged. You can't do this."

"Oh, I can," Dominic replied smoothly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I'm not known for my patience. But tonight, I'm feeling generous."

"You're insane," Reyan shouted from the floor, blood staining his lip. "You can't force her."

"I can," Dominic said simply as he pulled a pen from his pocket. "And I will."

His eyes met Aira's again.

This time she saw it clearly.

The madness.

The obsession.

He didn't simply want her.

He needed her.

His gaze drifted from her terrified parents to her injured fiancé, then back to the young woman standing in the center of the room like prey that had finally realized the predator had teeth.

"Relax," he said, his voice smooth as silk laced with poison. "I'm not asking for blood. Just her hand in marriage."

"That's the same thing," Aira muttered bitterly.

Dominic smiled.

"You're sharp. That will make this much more entertaining."

Reyan forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pain in his ribs.

"You can't force her to marry you. This isn't some ancient kingdom."

Dominic lifted one finger.

The room fell silent.

"I can."

He lowered his hand.

"And I am."

Then he faced Aira's parents.

"We're going to tell the world it's an arranged marriage. You'll say I'm a successful businessman, the perfect match, and that both families gave their blessing. People love stories like that."

Her mother whimpered.

Her father lowered his head, shame filling his eyes.

"I'll make this easy," Dominic continued. "Tomorrow we'll hold a proper engagement. Invite everyone. No one will suspect a thing."

Aira's hands trembled.

"You're sick."

"And you're mine," he whispered.

"Why?" she demanded, stepping toward him. "Why me?"

He stared at her as though she were the only person in the world.

"The moment I saw you, I knew I'd never forget your face. I could have chosen anyone. But you're the kind of woman men start wars over."

"You're insane."

Dominic grinned.

"That's exactly what my therapist said before I paid him to disappear."

He stepped closer, letting his presence consume the room.

"Tell me," he said, looking around, "who was the genius who thought hiding in the bride's family would save him?"

His eyes settled on Aira's future father-in-law.

"Was it you?"

The older man looked away.

Dominic clicked his tongue.

"Rookie mistake. You really thought I wouldn't come looking during wedding week?"

He turned to Reyan.

"And you, the poor little prince. You thought you were about to marry the perfect girl."

"I still am," Reyan spat. "You think she'll ever say yes to you? You think she'll ever want you?"

Dominic stepped closer until only inches separated them.

"I don't need her to want me," he whispered.

"I only need her to be mine."

He turned back to Aira.

She hadn't moved.

She stood frozen, yet every inch of her burned with anger.

"She hates you," her mother pleaded. "You can't marry someone who hates you."

Dominic laughed quietly.

"I prefer it that way. Hate is far more honest than love."

Aira glared at him.

"You're disgusting."

He leaned closer.

"Maybe. But you're going to wear my name like it was made for you, princess."

"You won't get away with this."

"I already have."

He turned toward her father and tossed a thick envelope onto the coffee table. It landed with a heavy thud.

"That's the first ten million. The rest comes after tomorrow's engagement party. A proper one. Photos, blessings, sweets. The public loves a good love story."

"You're insane," Aira whispered.

Dominic's grin widened.

"Maybe."

He adjusted the cuff of his black shirt.

"But insanity looks good in a tux."

The door opened.

His man returned with a freshly prepared folder.