Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO WANTED HER
The attack ended after eight minutes.
It felt like an hour.
When the shooting stopped, Adrian's security team moved through the penthouse.
Three men were dead.
Two had escaped.
No one knew how Matthew had entered.
That terrified Adrian.
Because the penthouse had never been breached.
Until now.
Rosa found Adrian in the hallway.
Blood ran down his forearm.
"You need stitches."
"I need answers."
"You're bleeding."
"I said I'm fine."
"And I said you're not."
He looked at her.
Something changed between them.
For the first time, Adrian didn't argue.
He let her clean the wound.
She wrapped his arm carefully.
"You have steady hands."
"I build cabinets."
"Same principle?"
"No."
"What then?"
"Cabinets don't shoot back."
A faint smile appeared.
Rosa looked at him.
"There."
"What?"
"You smiled."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"Prove it."
She laughed.
The sound surprised both of them.
Then Adrian's smile disappeared.
"Rosa."
"What?"
"If you marry me, Matthew can't legally touch certain assets."
She stared.
"You're asking me?"
"I'm warning you."
"That's romantic."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
She studied him.
"Six months?"
"Six."
"Separate rooms?"
"Yes."
"No intimacy?"
"Unless you want it."
Rosa's cheeks warmed.
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
She looked away.
Then she signed.
Adrian stared at the signature.
"You understand what this means?"
"No."
"It means you're my wife."
Rosa met his eyes.
"For six months."
He nodded.
"Six months."
Neither knew that Matthew had already anticipated the marriage.
And that the contract was exactly what he wanted.
The wedding happened three days later.
Small.
Private.
No flowers.
No orchestra.
Only a priest, two witnesses, Violet, and rain against the windows.
When Adrian placed the ring on Rosa's finger, his hand trembled slightly.
She noticed.
"Are you nervous?"
"No."
"Liar."
He looked into her eyes.
"I've faced armed men without blinking."
"And?"
"I'm more afraid of you."
Rosa almost laughed.
Then the priest pronounced them husband and wife.
Violet clapped.
For one beautiful second, Rosa forgot the danger.
Then the priest leaned toward Adrian.
"Your father would have been proud."
Adrian froze.
Rosa saw it.
"What did he mean?"
The priest looked frightened.
Before he could answer, Adrian's phone rang.
He stepped away.
Rosa watched him.
The priest whispered:
"Your father made a promise."
"What promise?"
"To protect your mother."
Rosa's face went pale.
"From whom?"
The priest looked toward the door.
"From the man your father trusted most."
Then he left.
Rosa turned.
Adrian stood alone.
"Who was your father's closest friend?"
May you like
Adrian looked at her.
"Matthew's father."
