Adam and I reached downstairs, hand in hand. The music was blasting, and the party was in full swing. Helpers were moving around, serving starters to everyone, while some guests danced enthusiastically on the dance floor. The moment we entered, there was a loud burst of crackers on either side of the entrance, startling me. I instinctively leaned closer to Adam, seeking comfort.
Taking full advantage of the situation, Adam slipped his arm from mine and instead wrapped it around my waist, pulling me flush against him. A devilish smirk played on his lips, mischief glinting in his eyes. Leaning down, he whispered, "Now, now… can’t have you slipping away, can I?"
Before I could retort, both our parents approached us with broad smiles to congratulate us. I smiled and stepped forward to hug my mom and dad, but Adam didn’t budge. His arm remained firmly around my waist, his possessiveness earning a strong grunt of disapproval from his father.
"Adam," his father said in a stern voice, "let her go. At least for a moment."
Reluctantly, Adam loosened his grip, muttering under his breath, "Alright, alright… but only for a minute."
I rolled my eyes and moved to hug my parents, savoring the warmth of their embrace. "I’m so happy for you, sweetheart," my mom said, squeezing me tight. My dad patted my back gently and whispered, "Take care of yourself, alright?"
"I will, Dad," I replied softly, pulling away from them with a smile.
Just as I stepped back, Adam’s mother engulfed me in a hug. Her warmth was comforting, and her voice was filled with sincerity as she said, "Welcome to the family, dear. We’re so happy to have you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Black," I replied, feeling genuinely touched.
Before I could say more, I felt a tug at my waist, and suddenly, I was back in Adam’s arms. His hands rested firmly on my bare back, his touch both protective and teasing. His father frowned, shaking his head as he extended a hand toward me.
"Congratulations," he said, offering me a warm smile before his tone turned serious. "And Adam, treat her properly, or you’ll have me to answer to."
Adam smirked but nodded. "Don’t worry, Dad. She’s in good hands."
After the pleasantries, we made our way further inside. Alice appeared by my side, her bubbly energy radiating as she asked, "Hey! Do you need anything?"
Before I could respond, my stomach growled loudly, betraying my answer. I blushed, and Alice laughed. "Got it. I’ll grab some starters for you," she said, rushing off toward the food.
As I glanced around the room, my eyes instinctively searched for Jack. I spotted him sitting in a far-off corner with Josh. The second our eyes met, Jack stood up, clearly intending to come over and talk to me. Despite everything that had happened, he looked surprisingly well for someone who had recently escaped Adam’s dungeons. A few scratches here and there, but his confident stride suggested he hadn’t suffered any major injuries.
Adam’s arm loosened slightly around my waist, drawing my attention to him. His sharp gaze was fixed on me, and I could tell he’d noticed the silent exchange between Jack and me. His lips curled into a smirk, and an evil glint appeared in his eyes.
He leaned closer and murmured, "Go on. Talk to him."
I froze, startled by his sudden suggestion. "What?" I asked, incredulous.
"You heard me," Adam replied, his tone teasing. "Go. I’m not stopping you." His smirk deepened as though he were thoroughly enjoying this little game.
I turned my head towards Jack and shook my head into a no, stopping him from coming near me. Adam’s fingers trailed up and down my bare skin, slow and deliberate, sending a shiver through me. He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur against my ear. “Go to Jack. He has something to tell you about the boutique project. You know, the one you’ve been obsessing over for months? Apparently, there’s been a development, and it needs your approval tonight.”
I tensed, and his lips curled into a wicked smile. “But don’t worry, sweetheart,” he added, his tone dark and teasing. “I won’t start anything while you’re busy talking to him. Take as long as you need. I’ll just be here, watching, imagining all the ways this night will end. And trust me, it won’t be boring.”
My chest tightened. Of course, it was a game—a cruel, calculated game only Adam could concoct. He knew I couldn’t avoid Jack, not when this project was my lifeline. I’d fought tooth and nail to secure this client, pushing through endless meetings, setbacks, and competitors. Landing this boutique chain had been my breakthrough, but it also felt like a noose tightening around my neck.
I slipped free from Adam’s grip, his eyes gleaming with amusement as I made my way toward Alice. She stood stiffly beside Ryan, her face betraying a mix of unease and frustration.
As I approached, Ryan turned to me with a sly grin and extended his hand. “Congratulations are in order, aren’t they?”
I stepped back sharply, my voice cool and detached. “No.” I glanced over my shoulder at Adam, who was lounging against the table, a smug smile playing on his lips as he watched the interaction unfold. This was part of the game. His rules were clear: no touching any man outside my family.
Ryan chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. “Ah, I see. Still playing by his rules, are you?” He reached for Alice’s arm, pulling her closer. “Well, sorry, love, but Alice isn’t available to bail you out today. She’s done enough for you already. If you need help, you’ll have to find it elsewhere.”
Alice’s lips parted as if to protest, but Ryan tugged her close, silencing her with a sharp look. “Let’s go,” he said, steering her away. She turned her head just enough to mouth a silent sorry before disappearing into the crowd.
My frustration boiled, but I swallowed it, scanning the room for help. Dad was deep in conversation with Mom and a group of clients, completely inaccessible. Lisa was by the bar with Josh, who met my gaze with an amused shake of his head, offering nothing but a mocking chuckle.
I barely had a moment to process the hopelessness of it all before I felt a hand on my back. Adam. His touch was firm, possessive, and left no room for argument as he steered me toward the chairs at the far corner of the room.
“Adam, please,” I whispered, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound composed.
He turned to me with a devilish grin, his eyes glinting with dark satisfaction. “Please, what?” he drawled, taking his time to sit back leisurely. “Are we finally understanding who’s in charge here?”
Swallowing my pride was like swallowing glass, but I knew I had no choice. “Adam,” I began, forcing a sweetness into my tone that felt foreign on my tongue, “please help me. Let me talk to Jack—just five minutes. That’s all I ask. Please don’t turn this into some humiliating game I don't want to seem like some horny bitch on her wedding night, you have already frustrated me enough from the afternoon session. Not tonight!”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, studying me as if I were a particularly amusing puzzle. “Oh, you’re learning. That’s nice to see. But…” His smile widened, predatory and unrelenting. “I didn’t hear you ask nicely enough. Try again.”
I bit back the retort burning on my tongue, willing myself to remain calm. Batting my lashes, I leaned closer, lowering my voice into a pleading whisper. “Adam, please. I’m begging you. Just five minutes. I’ll do whatever you want later, but let me handle this first.”
For a moment, he said nothing, letting my words hang in the air between us as if savoring the sound of my surrender. Then, finally, he gave a slow nod.
“But,” he drawled, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, forcing me to sink back into my chair.
My heart sank. Adam’s games were far from over.
He leaned in so close I could feel his breath on my lips, his piercing gaze locking me in place. His voice was low and commanding, dripping with promise and possession.
“Once we reach home,” he murmured, his lips curving into a dark smile, “you will be my little kitten. No questions, no hesitations. From the moment we sit in the car, you belong to me. No safe words, no escape. You will trust me entirely, surrender every part of yourself, and let me strip away all your fears. Understand, my Queen?”
His finger traced a slow, deliberate path down my cheek, igniting a shiver that betrayed me. I couldn’t speak—my throat felt tight, my mind blank—but I managed a shaky nod.
“Good,” he whispered, his voice like velvet and steel. His eyes lingered on mine for a beat longer, devouring me, before he pulled back and turned to speak with Jack, leaving me trembling and breathless.
I stood frozen for a moment, the weight of his words sinking into my core. Adam was unstoppable, untouchable. No one challenged him—not me, not anyone. He had orchestrated every moment, every glance, every breath of this night. I was his queen, but in his kingdom, queens didn’t rule. They submitted.
Steeling myself, I made my way to Jack, who was sitting nearby.
When I sat down beside him, he glanced up with a look of cautious relief that quickly faded when he saw my expression. He started to hug me but stopped short, his hand hesitating midair.
I felt a stab of guilt. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, to apologize, to tell him how sorry I was for dragging him into this mess. But the words died on my tongue. Instead, I forced myself to ask, “How are you, Jack? Please… tell me Adam didn’t hurt you too much.”
Jack ran a hand through his hair, his laugh shaky and filled with disbelief. “Hurt me? You don’t even know the half of it,” he said, his voice laced with both amusement and dread. “Last night… it started great. Honestly, it was one of the best nights of my life. Adam, Ryan, Josh, and I went to his private farmhouse. We drank—no, we drowned—in top-shelf liquor. Played some insane games. You don’t even want to know the details, trust me.” He paused, his expression darkening. “But then this morning…”
He let out a short, bitter laugh, shaking his head as if trying to process it all. “I woke up tied to a chair. A chair, with scorpions—dozens of them—circling my feet. And there he was, sitting across from me, calm as hell, sipping his coffee like it was just another Tuesday. You know what he said? He said, ‘Jack, I hope you’re comfortable because she’s taking too long to get ready.’
He leaned back, his voice dropping lower. “And here’s the craziest part. In some twisted way, it was… fun. Watching him lose his cool over you? That was priceless. The guy’s obsessed. I’ve never seen Adam like this before, and honestly, I don’t think anyone has.”
I stared at Jack, horrified yet strangely reassured by his smirk. He was alive, unscathed—for the most part—but Adam’s methods… they left me speechless.
I swallowed hard, shaking off the thoughts. “Jack, I don’t have time. Tell me about the project. I only have two minutes now.”
Jack’s smirk softened into something more businesslike. He handed me a file. “Adam’s mostly taken care of it. He told the investors this is your night, so you’re off the hook until tomorrow. But the final call is yours. Read it when you can and text me a yes or no. I’ve already convinced them to give us an extension. Though…” He glanced toward the center of the room, where Adam stood, a devilish gleam in his eyes. “Let’s be real. You’re not getting any time tonight.”
I reached for the file, ready to thank him, but before I could even touch it, Adam appeared out of nowhere, his hand snatching it from mine.
“You don’t need this,” Adam said smoothly, his voice laced with authority and seduction. He handed the file off to one of his men without a second glance, his full attention now on me.
Instead, he extended his hand toward me, his dark eyes practically daring me to refuse. “Come,” he said, his voice a velvet command.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, but his hand was insistent, pulling me toward him. A voice from the microphone announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the bride and groom’s first dance as husband and wife!”
The room erupted into cheers, but all I could hear was the steady beat of my racing heart. Adam’s hand slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him as he led me onto the dance floor.
“You’re mine now,” he whispered against my ear, his breath warm and tantalizing. “And tonight, my Queen, the game begins.”
As we reached the dance floor and the lights dimmed, a sudden boldness overtook me. I grabbed Adam by the shirt, pulling him close enough that our bodies almost touched. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he didn’t resist. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk, intrigued.
I tiptoed up, thankful for my ridiculously high heels, and leaned in until my lips brushed his ear. “No more mind games,” I whispered, my voice soft yet resolute. “I want the old Adam back—the one who loved me to death. Let me enjoy my party tonight without ultimatums or threats. Let’s just... be. This is our day, Adam.”
His expression shifted, his smirk fading into something unreadable, something deeper. I continued, my voice trembling slightly as I spoke. “Let’s forget the past year—all the pain, the anger—and start fresh. Tonight, I’ll be your slut. You can punish me however you want, and I won’t complain. But from tomorrow morning onward…” I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Tomorrow, you’ll forgive me and love me like you used to. No more violence, no more fear. Please, Adam. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t interfere in your work. I’ll never leave you again. Just... forgive me.”
His eyes burned into mine, and for a moment, I thought I’d pushed him too far. But then, without a word, he pulled me closer—so close that not even air could pass between us. His hand gripped my waist possessively, and his lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Done.”
Relief washed over me, and as the music swelled, we began to sway. His hold was firm yet tender, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax in his arms. It was as if the rest of the world melted away, leaving only us. His scent, his warmth, the steady rhythm of his breathing—they grounded me in a way I hadn’t felt in months.
We danced like that for what felt like an eternity, oblivious to the other couples who had joined us. Song after song played, but neither of us stopped. His hands roamed my back and sides, teasingly brushing against the curve of my waist, while my fingers traced the lines of his shoulders and chest. We were lost in each other, our silent promises spoken in the way we moved together.
A light tap on Adam’s shoulder interrupted our moment. Turning, he met my father’s gaze. Without hesitation, Adam placed my hand in my father’s, his touch lingering for a moment before he walked away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the crowd.
Dad held me close as the music played, his grip firm yet gentle. His face betrayed a rare vulnerability, the kind I’d never seen before. He smiled softly, but I could see the glint of emotion in his eyes, and it tugged at my heart. My father, the man who always seemed unshakeable, was now letting his guard down because his youngest daughter was getting married.
As we swayed to the melody, my thoughts wandered to my sister, Alice. If she ever married Ryan… oh, the chaos that would unfold. She’d throw a far bigger fuss than me—of that I was certain. Alice had a fiery streak, unafraid to clash with anyone, even Ryan. But Ryan… he wasn’t someone you could easily handle. When he was angry, he wasn’t even human anymore; he was an animal. And even in his calmer moments, Ryan wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
People whispered that Adam, when on a mission, was deadlier than Ryan. Adam was ruthless, calculated—a predator who struck fear into the hearts of those who opposed him. But together, Adam and Ryan were an unstoppable force, a nightmare duo who played their games of manipulation with deadly precision. They’d strip their enemies of everything—companies, homes, fortunes—until there was nothing left.
I shivered at the thought. I’d only heard stories about Adam’s darker side, the side he carefully shielded from me. But even as a feared man, Adam had always been lenient with me. Protective, possessive, even suffocating at times—but not the monster the world whispered about. At least, not with me.
I found myself wishing I could stay in the safe bubble of this moment forever, in this house, where reality felt distant. But I knew Adam would never allow it. If it were up to him, he’d handcuff me to his side for the rest of his life. It wasn’t just his possessiveness—it was his need to control everything, to ensure I was protected from a world I didn’t fully understand.
“Bella,” Dad’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “You know Adam has enemies. Now that you’re his wife, you’re a target too.” His tone was steady, but there was a deep concern behind his words. “I know Adam will always put you first, but you need to be careful. This life he’s in… it’s dangerous, and it’s unforgiving.”
I nodded, my throat tightening.
He cupped my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “I know you don’t like admitting it, but Adam isn’t just a businessman. He’s a mafia boss, Bella. No matter how much he loves you, you’ll have to follow his lead if you want to survive in his world.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
“I’ll always be here for you,” he continued, his voice softening. “But Adam is furious about the gun your mother gave you. I don’t know how this will all play out, but remember—no matter what happens, we love you. We’ll always love you.”
I nodded meekly, guilt swirling in my chest. I knew I bore some responsibility for the tension brewing. I’d have to convince Adam to leave my parents out of it. Hugging Dad tightly, I whispered, “I love you, Dad.”
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