~Abigail's POV~
Returning to the bedroom with Darius right behind me, I try to slam the door in his face, but he catches it easily, glaring at me. I just smirk, satisfied, and make my way to the couch, flopping down without a care in the world.
"I told you we're going for our honeymoon, and you're lying down." Darius's voice carries that sharp, displeased edge.
"You can't have a honeymoon with your wife you just slammed against a wall," I shoot back, sitting up and glancing at him over the couch. "That's abuse and manipulation."
Darius laughs like I've just cracked a joke. It's almost unsettling how normal he looks doing it. A mama's boy, loved by his siblings, filthy rich... his life's perfect enough to make this whole situation feel even more absurd.
He could have married anyone in this world. Anyone but me.
"You literally almost killed me," he says.
"I haven't done anything yet," I reply, rising to my feet and walking toward him. "Let's backtrack, shall we?"
He folds his arms, watching me.
"I was a lawyer. You were the client of the opposition. I won. Felt the rush of beating a powerful man like you. Pretty standard stuff." I pause, tilting my head, my tone turning sharp. "But you… you decided to buy me from my father because I pissed you off."
I snap my fingers. "Oh no, wait. Let me correct myself. You wanted to see me on my knees for you." I give him a mocking smile. "You could've just asked for sex, you know. Angry sex, hate sex, whatever. Like a normal person."
Darius looks at me with full amusement, like I'm some sort of fascinating specimen under his microscope.
"We can still have hate sex," he says casually, his lips curving into an infuriating sexy smirk.
"I'd prefer a divorce, thank you very much."
He clicks his tongue, nodding as he shrugs off his jacket. "That's not possible. Even a smart lawyer like you can't get out of this."
I bite down hard on my lower lip. My bastard father had literally threatened the life of the man who's been cheating on me just to make him sign that marriage contract without reading it.
"Let me go, Darius," I warn, my voice low.
"I freed you from your father's grip," he says coldly. "You're being ungrateful."
The words hit a nerve so hard I almost see red. My jaw tightens, teeth grinding as he rolls up his sleeves slowly revealing detailed tattoos.
"Shut up!" I snap and stepped forward, watching as his eyes widens a bit. "You know nothing about me or my father. So shut up! Whatever you think you've found out about us doesn't mean you know me."
He takes a step closer. Too close. Those piercing emerald eyes of his lock on mine, searching, dissecting, like he's trying to pry open my soul.
"I know he abuses you," he says quietly, voice calm but tinged with something darker. "And you've got all that rage bottled up. Enough to kill him. But you haven't. Why is that, Abigail?"
My hands curl into fists. "It's none of your fucking business!"
He twists his lips, then sits on the edge of the bed still watching me like I'm his favorite show.
"Such beautiful, haunted eyes," he murmurs, shrugging nonchalantly before exhaling a long sigh. "Just act like Mrs. Rassais and enjoy the good and the bad that comes with it. I'll protect you… if I can."
I scoff, the sound sharp and bitter. "What a charming husband."
"Don't worry, I won't cheat." He grins, devilish and smug. The kind of grin that screams I know exactly how to piss you off.
"Oh, how considerate. But I don't care if you cheat or not. This is just an arrangement."
"An arrangement of eternity," he corrects smoothly, those emerald eyes glinting.
I narrow mine right back. "I want my own room."
"And miss out on hate sex? No, I'm not doing that."
I arch a brow and take slow steps toward him. "Aren't you afraid I'll stab you in your sleep?"
His grin only widens. "No. But thank you for giving me something to look forward to."
Before I can retort, he moves. His legs suddenly wrapping around my waist, pulling me off balance. I crash against his chest, my hands braced against him as his arms lock firmly around my waist.
"I'll also expect lots of hate sex during our honeymoon," he whispers, his smirk curling into something wicked. "My mum's already expecting grandbabies from me, you know."
I stare at him, half in disbelief, half in disgust. This man is insane.
So I lean in slowly, watching his emerald eyes widen in surprise, maybe even curiosity. He actually thinks I'm going to kiss him.
Instead, my lips curve into a wicked smile right before I sink my teeth into the side of his neck. Hard.
He jerks slightly, a low hiss escaping him as I bite deep enough to leave a mark.
"Consider that my wedding gift," I whisper against his skin.
He suddenly grabs me, flipping our positions before I can even process what's happening. Now I'm beneath him, staring up at his frown as he brushes his fingers over his neck.
When he sees the tiny smear of blood on his skin, his eyes snaps back to me filled with half disbelief, half irritation.
"Are you a dog? How the hell did you bite me that deep?"
I flash him a bright, unapologetic smile, baring my perfect teeth and my naturally long canines. "Think of it as a hickey. Now get off me!"
I slam my forehead into his. Pain explodes through my skull, but it's worth it when he grunts and stumbles back, groaning as he rubs his head. I stay still, smirking as I take in the sight of him disheveled, pissed, and still somehow obnoxiously sexy.
"You—!" He starts toward me, rage flashing in those emerald eyes.
But before he can finish, a deafening gunshot splits through the mansion.
I jolt, my heart slamming against my ribs.
Darius freezes. And in an instant, his expression shifts, replaced by that cold, ruthless calm I've only heard about in whispers.
Without a word, he strides to the drawer, pulls out a sleek silver gun, checks the magazine, and heads for the door.
I'm still catching my breath as he disappears down the hall, the echo of that gunshot still ringing in my ears.
What the hell is going on?