Chapter 9 - THE PLAN THAT REQUIRED A WEDDING RING
Mara laughed when she heard it.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was absurd enough to briefly defeat fear.
“Victor is sixty-three.”
Adrian didn’t smile.
“He doesn’t need you to love him.”
“What does marriage change?”
The lawyers answered quickly.
Dominic’s trust contained an old-fashioned succession clause.
If Mara became legally incapacitated or died while married, certain powers could temporarily pass to a spouse pending court review.
Victor didn’t need permanent control.
He needed forty-eight hours.
Long enough to move the money.
Long enough to destroy evidence.
Long enough to disappear.
“I won’t marry him.”
“No,” Adrian said.
Mara looked at him.
“You sounded offended.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
His eyes held hers.
Dangerous question.
No place to hide.
“Because the thought of anyone forcing you into anything makes me want to become exactly the man you asked me not to become.”
Mara’s expression softened.
“Adrian.”
He stepped closer.
“You came into my house to investigate me.”
“I know.”
“You lied about your name.”
“I know.”
“You reorganized my entire kitchen.”
“That was necessary.”
“It was criminal.”
“You had coffee next to the spices.”
“It made sense.”
“It did not.”
He smiled.
Then the smile vanished.
“And somehow, somewhere in those three years, you became the first person I look for when I walk into a room.”
Mara stopped breathing.
Adrian continued.
“I noticed when you changed the flowers.”
Her eyes filled.
“I noticed when you started wearing your hair differently.”
“Adrian—”
“I noticed every morning you were there.”
He swallowed.
“And the one morning you weren’t, I couldn’t think.”
Mara whispered:
“You terrify me.”
“I know.”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“Not like that.”
Adrian’s breath caught.
Mara touched his face.
“You terrify me because I trust you.”
For a man like Adrian, nothing could have meant more.
He kissed her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Nothing like violence.
Nothing like possession.
Mara kissed him back.
When they separated, his forehead rested against hers.
“Tell me to stop.”
“I don’t want you to.”
Then every alarm in the estate sounded.
Noah ran into the hall.
“Fire.”
Smoke poured from the west wing.
Security moved instantly.
Adrian took Mara toward the safe exit.
Then Luca shouted:
“Catherine’s room!”
Mara turned.
“Mom!”
She ran.
Adrian followed.
They reached the guest suite.
Empty.
Window open.
A rope ladder hung outside.
On the bed sat a white dress.
A bridal gown.
And a note.
Mara picked it up.
Her hands shook.
WE HAVE YOUR MOTHER.
MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.
COME WEARING THE DRESS.
Adrian read the final line.
COME ALONE, OR CATHERINE DIES.
Mara looked at him.
“I have to go.”
Adrian’s face became terrifyingly calm.
“Yes.”
She blinked.
“Yes?”
“You’re going.”
May you like
He took the note from her.
“But you will not be alone.”
