Chapter 4 His Feisty Little Wife

The flashbulbs hit Elena like a firing squad. Even through the tinted window of Adrian's Bentley, she could see the press crowding the velvet ropes outside the Blackwell-owned restaurant. Reporters barked questions as though they could claw through glass.

"Smile," Adrian said from beside her, sliding his phone into his jacket. His tone wasn't a suggestion. "If you want to make it out of this car without a scandal in tomorrow's paper, you'll smile."

Elena turned her head slowly, meeting his cool gray eyes with a look that was anything but sweet. "I don't do tricks on command," she said. "I'm not your performing poodle."

His lips curved - not in amusement, but in warning. "Then consider it a command to protect your parents. They're already inside."

That landed like a dart. Elena forced her nails into her palm to keep from flinching. "Fine. I'll smile. But not for you."

The chauffeur opened her door, and the storm broke. Dozens of cameras, the crackling static of shouted questions, the rhythmic thump of helicopter rotors overhead. Adrian stepped out first, a wall of calm in an Armani suit. He extended a hand as if it were an invitation. In truth, it was an order.

Elena ignored it, swinging herself gracefully out of the car without his help. Gasps from the crowd. The tabloids were going to eat that alive.

"Miss Carter! Is it true you married Mr. Blackwell after one date?"

"Are you pregnant?"

"Adrian! Is this a merger or a marriage?"

Elena tilted her chin up and flashed the kind of dazzling, dangerous smile that made gossip columnists salivate. "Why settle for one date," she called out sweetly, "when you can skip straight to the vows?"

A ripple of laughter went through the press line. Adrian didn't even glance at her, but the muscle in his jaw flexed once - a tiny tic that told her she'd hit a nerve.

Inside, the restaurant was sealed off from the chaos, heavy doors shutting out the roar. A hostess ushered them to a private dining room glittering with crystal and candlelight. At the far end of the table sat her parents, glowing with pride like they'd just handed her over to royalty.

"Elena!" her mother gushed, rising to hug her. "Darling, you look radiant!"

"And Adrian," her father added, shaking the CEO's hand with both of his own. "We can't thank you enough. This marriage means... so much to us."

Elena's stomach twisted. Of course it did. Their company was circling the drain, and Adrian Blackwell was their lifeboat - a lifeboat with teeth.

"Anything for family," Adrian said smoothly, sliding Elena's chair out for her. "You raised a remarkable daughter."

"Remarkable is one word for it," Elena muttered as she sat, crossing her legs.

Dinner began with polite conversation, but beneath the linen and wine, Elena felt the weight of control tightening around her throat. Her parents hung on Adrian's every word, laughing at his razor-dry jokes, praising his business acumen. He spoke just enough to charm them, just enough to remind Elena that he could destroy or save them with a single signature.

Halfway through the main course, Marcus appeared at Adrian's shoulder, murmured something, and withdrew to stand by the door like a shadow. Elena caught his eye - and for a split second, his look was almost pitying. Almost.

When Adrian turned to discuss a merger with her father, Marcus leaned close enough for only her to hear.

"Careful," he said softly. "Blackwell doesn't like being made a fool of. And you've been testing him since you stepped out of that car."

Elena smirked, swirling her wine. "Good. Let him test me back. I bite."

Marcus's expression didn't change, but his voice dropped an octave. "This isn't a game, Mrs. Blackwell. Men who cross him don't always walk away."

Elena arched a brow. "Thanks for the bedtime story, Marcus. But I don't scare easy."

By dessert, Adrian had wrapped her parents fully in silk. When the last champagne flute was drained, he excused himself with perfect manners and led Elena out through a side corridor to avoid the paparazzi still swarming the front.

The moment they were alone in the car, his composure cracked - not much, but enough to make the air electric.

"Cute stunt outside," Adrian said mildly, loosening his cufflinks. "Not taking my hand. Joking about skipping straight to vows. The press loved it."

Elena turned toward him, eyes flashing. "Good. You wanted them talking about us, didn't you?"

"I wanted them talking about the image I control," he corrected, voice like ice. "Not the one you invent to amuse yourself."

She leaned in, her lips curling. "Maybe I'm not here to amuse you. Maybe I'm here to remind you that I'm not some pawn you can move around your little empire."

His gaze darkened, and for a moment, the space between them felt too small. "Careful, Elena. Pawns that get out of line don't make it across the board."

"Then promote me," she shot back. "Queen me. Because I'm not bowing to you."

The Bentley rolled to a stop outside the Blackwell estate, tension humming louder than the engine. Adrian opened his own door this time without waiting for the driver, then circled to hers - not out of courtesy, but because he wasn't giving her a chance to walk away first.

As they stepped into the marble silence of the mansion, Adrian's voice dropped to a whisper that slid under her skin like smoke.

"You like playing games, Elena? Fine. But remember - I never lose."

Elena met his stare without blinking, fire for fire. "Neither do I."