The Ruthless Mafia Boss Bride

Chapter 1

Caspian stared blankly at the women standing before him. He looked at them one by one. They were all beautiful, yet he couldn't understand why none of them appealed to him.

He rubbed his forehead in frustration while John lowered his head, already knowing that his boss hadn't found anyone suitable.

"Not one of them?" John asked cautiously.

"Do you think I'm blind?" Caspian shot back. "I told you to find me a wife, not gather every woman in the city and parade her in front of me."

John cleared his throat. "You did say you wanted someone suitable, sir."

"And I've rejected all of them. What does that tell you?"

"That I should keep looking?"

Caspian gave him a cold stare.

John immediately lowered his head. "Understood, sir."

The women were escorted out, leaving Caspian alone with his frustration. He glanced at the photograph on his desk. It showed him beside his grandfather, the only person in his family whose wishes he had never been able to dismiss.

His grandfather was dying. There wasn't much time left, and the old man had made one request Caspian couldn't bring himself to refuse: he wanted to see his grandson married before he died.

Caspian had given his word.

Unfortunately, he hadn't expected finding a wife to be more difficult than handling a room full of armed men.

He tossed the photograph back onto the desk.

"Find someone else," he ordered. "And this time, make sure she isn't here simply because she wants my money."

John nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

He was about to leave when the office door suddenly flew open.

A woman in a wedding gown stumbled inside.

She was breathing hard, her hair slightly disheveled, and one hand clutched the side of her dress as though she'd been running for miles. She looked over her shoulder before shutting the door, apparently relieved that she'd managed to get away from whoever had been following her.

Then she turned around.

Her eyes met Caspian's.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Davina Flores had never imagined that her wedding day would end with her running through an unfamiliar building in a dress she desperately wanted to tear off.

But she hadn't been given a choice.

Her family had arranged everything. The guests were waiting, the ceremony was ready, and Kenzo was expecting her to walk down the aisle. Everyone had acted as though her opinion didn't matter, as though she were merely another item on a list of family obligations.

Davina couldn't do it.

She had waited until she found an opportunity, gathered the little courage she had left, and run.

She hadn't even checked where she was going. She had simply needed to get away.

Now, standing in an unfamiliar office before a man whose expression could freeze the blood in her veins, she realized she might have made another terrible decision.

"I'm sorry," she said breathlessly. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

Caspian didn't answer immediately. His gaze moved from her face to the wedding gown, then back to her eyes.

Unlike the women John had brought in earlier, she didn't appear to care who he was. She wasn't trying to charm him or impress him. If anything, she looked ready to bolt through the nearest exit.

"Are you getting married today?" he asked.

Davina looked down at her dress.

"Unfortunately."

"Do you want to?"

"No."

Her answer came so quickly that Caspian almost smiled.

"Then we're in the same position."

Davina frowned. "What does that mean?"

"I need a wife. You need to escape a wedding."

She stared at him, wondering whether the stress had finally made her lose her mind.

"I'm sorry, but what?"

"Marry me."

Davina blinked.

Then she laughed once, sharply, because she honestly couldn't think of any other response.

"You can't be serious."

"I rarely joke about important matters."

"You don't even know my name!"

"Then tell me."

"Why would I tell you anything? I just met you!"

Caspian studied her for another moment. He knew how reckless his proposal sounded. He also knew that the woman standing in front of him was the first person that day who hadn't arrived hoping to become Mrs. Sanchez.

She wanted something from him, certainly, but it wasn't his money or his name. She wanted a way out.

That made her more interesting than anyone John had found.

"My grandfather is dying," he explained. "He wants to see me married. I've given him my word, and I intend to keep it."

Davina's expression softened for a brief moment before suspicion returned.

"I'm sorry about your grandfather, but that doesn't mean you can marry a stranger."

"No, it doesn't."

His agreement caught her off guard.

Caspian leaned against the edge of his desk.

"I'm offering you a way out of the wedding you're running from. In return, I get a wife. We can establish our own terms afterward."

"Your own terms?" She shook her head. "You make marriage sound like a business contract."

"Most arrangements between powerful families are."

"Well, I'm not a business arrangement."

"No," he said, looking directly at her. "You're a woman who ran into a stranger's office because she refused to marry someone else."

Davina opened her mouth to argue, then stopped.

She hated that he was right.

Still, she wasn't about to let desperation make another decision for her.

"Suppose I agree. What happens to me afterward?"

"You'll have a place to stay. No one will drag you back to your wedding without dealing with me first."

The confidence in his voice made her pause.

"Why would you help me?"

"Because I need a wife, and I believe you need protection. Don't mistake that for affection."

His bluntness was almost refreshing. At least he wasn't pretending to be in love with her.

Davina glanced toward the door. She didn't know how much time she had before someone found her. If her father discovered where she was, she would be taken back, and she doubted anyone would listen to her objections a second time.

But marrying this stranger could be just as dangerous.

"What if I refuse?" she asked.

"Then John will show you the nearest exit, and you can decide what to do next."

She studied him carefully, trying to determine whether he meant it.

He didn't look like a man accustomed to being refused. Yet he wasn't blocking the door or threatening her.

For the first time since she'd run away, Davina felt she had a decision to make instead of an order to obey.

She could leave and risk being found by her family, or she could take a chance on a man whose name she didn't even know.

Neither option was safe.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Caspian Sanchez."

The name meant nothing to her, but John, who had remained quietly by the doorway, straightened almost imperceptibly.

Davina noticed.

"Should I know who you are?"

"Not necessarily."

"That sounds suspicious."

"It wasn't meant to reassure you."

She almost laughed again, though this time she managed to stop herself.

"Fine. If I'm going to consider this ridiculous proposal, I want to know exactly what you're asking me to do."

Caspian gestured toward the adjoining room.

"The judge is waiting. The paperwork is ready. You can read everything before you sign, and if you don't agree with it, you walk away."

Davina hesitated.

"You already have a judge waiting?"

"I was expecting to marry someone today. I had everything prepared."

That explanation made sense, even if the situation itself was absurd.

John stepped forward and opened the adjoining door. Beyond it stood a judge beside a table covered with documents.

Davina's stomach tightened.

This was no longer an outrageous suggestion between strangers. Caspian had already arranged everything, and if she stepped into that room, there would be no pretending she hadn't considered his offer.

She looked at the papers, then back at him.

"I want to be clear about something. I'm not in love with you, and I won't pretend to be."

"I didn't ask you to."

"And I won't let you control every part of my life just because I become your wife."

Something in Caspian's expression shifted. He wasn't accustomed to people setting conditions before agreeing to anything he wanted.

"Then you'll have to learn to negotiate with me," he replied.

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Davina drew a shaky breath.

She thought of Kenzo, of the wedding guests waiting for her, and of her father's reaction when he discovered she'd disappeared. Returning was not an option she could face.

She stepped into the adjoining room.

"Show me the documents."

Caspian followed her inside.

The judge explained the procedure and placed the marriage documents before them. Davina read through the pages, asking questions whenever something was unclear. Caspian answered what he could, though his patience visibly thinned as the minutes passed.

When she reached the signature line, she stopped.

"Once I sign this, there's no pretending it didn't happen."

"Correct."

"And you won't promise me a future you have no intention of giving me."

"I won't."

Davina looked at him for a long moment. She still didn't trust him, but at least he wasn't offering her a fairy tale.

She signed her name.

Caspian signed his own.

The judge proceeded with the ceremony. Davina barely heard the words. Her attention was fixed on the ring waiting on the table and the unfamiliar man standing beside her.

When the judge finally pronounced them husband and wife, the room fell silent.

Davina stared at him.

It was done.

She was married.

Caspian picked up the rings and slipped one onto his finger. He then held out the other to her.

Davina took it herself and placed it on her finger, her movements stiff and uncertain.

The ring felt heavier than it should have.

She had walked into the building as an unmarried woman fleeing a wedding. Minutes later, she had become the wife of a stranger.

Caspian turned to John.

"Make sure the documents are completed correctly. Her name is Davina Flores."

John nodded. "Yes, sir."

Davina looked sharply at Caspian.

"You remembered my name."

"You told me."

"I was hoping you'd forgotten everything else that happened in the last ten minutes."

"I'm afraid that's unlikely."

She let out an exasperated breath.

"Don't get comfortable, Mr. Sanchez. I may be your wife on paper, but that doesn't mean I suddenly like you."

"I never expected you to."

"Good."

"Excellent."

Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, neither was willing to look away.

Then Davina remembered the ring on her finger and groaned.

"What have I done?"

"You made a decision."

"I made a desperate decision."

"Those are still decisions."

She glared at him.

"You really know how to make a woman regret speaking to you."

"And yet you married me."

"Don't remind me!"

Caspian's expression hardened at her outburst, but before he could respond, John approached him with a quiet word.

"Sir, your meeting is about to begin."

Caspian glanced at his watch. He had already spent more time dealing with his unexpected bride than he'd intended.

"Take her somewhere comfortable," he instructed John. "Make sure she has what she needs."

Davina folded her arms.

"I can speak for myself, you know."

Caspian turned back to her.

"Then tell John what you need."

"I need a way out of this mess."

"That's not something I can arrange in five minutes."

"Funny. It only took you five minutes to get married."

John looked down, hiding his reaction.

Caspian's jaw tightened.

"You wanted an escape, Davina. You have one. But if you intend to remain my wife, you'll have to stop treating every conversation as a battle."

"And if you intend to remain my husband, you'll have to stop acting like you own the world."

For a moment, Caspian looked as though he might answer her. Instead, he turned and walked out, closing the door firmly behind him.

Davina stared after him.

"Arrogant, impossible man."

She looked down at her ring again.

"My father is going to kill me."

The thought wiped the humor from her face.

Her father wouldn't care that she'd been desperate to escape. He wouldn't care that she'd made her own choice. He would see only the humiliation of a daughter who had run from one arranged marriage and married another man without his permission.

And if he found out who Caspian was, the consequences could be even worse.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

John entered carrying a set of clean clothes.

"Mr. Sanchez asked me to bring these for you."

Davina accepted them.

"Does your boss always give orders without asking what people want?"

"Most of the time."

"At least you're honest."

John gave her a cautious smile. "The bathroom is through that door. You can change there."

After changing, Davina returned the wedding gown to its garment bag and placed it over her arm.

She needed to leave. She couldn't spend the rest of the day hiding in a room while her family searched for her.

"Can you show me the exit?" she asked.

John hesitated. "I'm supposed to stay with you."

"I'm not asking you to help me escape your boss. I just want to leave this building."

"I'm afraid I can't let you walk out alone when people may be looking for you."

Davina's irritation returned.

"I'm not a prisoner."

"No, ma'am. But Mr. Sanchez asked me to keep you safe."

"Then you can keep me safe while I walk."

John seemed to consider that before nodding.

They left the room together and headed down the corridor. Davina was beginning to think they might make it outside without another argument when she spotted several men near the hotel entrance.

She recognized them immediately.

They worked for her father.

Her steps faltered.

One of the men was showing her photograph to a hotel employee while another questioned the people passing through the lobby. They weren't searching casually. They had been sent to find her, and they wouldn't leave until they did.

Davina grabbed John's arm and pulled him behind a pillar.

"Those men are looking for me."

John peered around the corner. His expression grew serious when he saw the group.

"Do they work for your family?"

"Yes. If they find me, they'll take me back."

"Stay here while I figure out how to get you out."

"No." Davina shook her head. "If they see you talking to me, they'll know you helped me."

"Then what do you suggest?"

She looked toward a side corridor leading to another exit.

"We go that way. If they stop us, I'll tell them I don't know you."

John looked unconvinced.

"You'd leave me to deal with them?"

"I'd rather not get either of us caught."

Despite himself, John almost smiled.

"Fair enough. Stay close."

They moved quickly through the side corridor, keeping out of sight. Davina's heart hammered as they reached the exit, and she didn't relax until the door opened onto the street.

Then a car pulled up beside them.

The driver's window lowered.

Caspian looked from Davina to John, taking in their anxious expressions.

"What happened?"

Davina stepped toward the car.

"My father's men are inside. They're looking for me."

Caspian's expression changed immediately. He glanced toward the hotel entrance and saw two men emerging onto the pavement.

He didn't waste time asking questions.

"Get in."

Davina opened the passenger door and climbed inside. John got into the back just as Caspian pulled away from the curb.

One of the men shouted after them.

Caspian didn't even look back.

He drove through the traffic, taking a turn onto a busier road before changing lanes and disappearing among the other vehicles. His movements were controlled and deliberate, as though he had already calculated the fastest route out of the area.

Davina twisted in her seat to look through the rear window.

"Are they following us?"

"Not anymore."

"How do you know?"

"Because I checked."

She turned toward him. "You checked while driving?"

"Would you prefer I stop and let them catch up?"

Davina closed her mouth.

For once, she had no immediate response.

She looked out the window, watching the familiar streets disappear behind them. Only when the hotel was far out of sight did she allow herself to breathe normally.

She had escaped her father's men.

Again.

But when she looked down at the ring on her finger, the relief faded.

She was still married to Caspian Sanchez.

"Where's John?" she asked, suddenly remembering him.

"Right here," John answered from the back seat.

Davina twisted around. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought we left you behind."

"I appreciate your concern, ma'am."

"Don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old."

John chuckled softly.

Caspian glanced at them before returning his attention to the road.

"Now that we're clear, I need to know something," he said.

Davina turned toward him cautiously.

"What?"

"Who exactly is your father, and why would he send men to drag you back to a wedding?"

Her expression tightened.

"That's none of your business."

"You're my wife. If your family is going to send men after you, it becomes my business the moment they interfere with my life."

"Your life?" she repeated. "I'm the one they were chasing!"

"And you were sitting in my car when they did."

Davina stared at him, unable to believe his arrogance.

"Do you hear yourself?"

"Constantly."

She let out a frustrated breath and looked away.

She wasn't ready to tell him everything about her family. She didn't know him well enough to trust him with that information, and she wasn't going to exchange one form of control for another.

But she couldn't deny that he had helped her escape.

For now, that counted for something.

"Thank you for coming back," she said reluctantly.

Caspian glanced at her, apparently surprised by the admission.

"Don't thank me yet."

"Why not?"

"Because we still need to discuss what happens next."

Davina looked down at the ring again.

Of course they did.

She had run away from Kenzo because she wanted to choose her own future. Now she was bound by a marriage neither she nor Caspian fully understood, and her family was already searching for her.

She had no idea whether Caspian would become her protector or another man determined to control her life.

But she knew one thing.

She wasn't going to surrender her freedom without a fight.

And if Caspian Sanchez thought having a wife meant having someone who would obey his every command, he was about to discover that he had chosen the wrong woman.

Chapter 2

Davina looked around the room, taking in its spacious interior and elegant furnishings. Everything about the place screamed luxury, from the expensive-looking furniture to the enormous windows overlooking the city.

She was no stranger to luxury. Her family's home was just as extravagant, but something about Caspian's house made her curious. Perhaps it was because she knew absolutely nothing about the man who had suddenly become her husband.

"Where are we?" she asked, still examining the room.

"My house."

Davina turned toward Caspian, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa as though the events of the past few hours had been nothing more than an ordinary afternoon.

She slowly nodded.

Apparently, she hadn't married an ordinary man after all.

The thought reminded her of what had happened earlier, and her expression immediately darkened.

Married?

Was that man out of his mind?

She approached him, determined to get some answers before he disappeared again.

"Those men who were chasing me earlier..." She paused, studying his face. "They were actually looking for you, weren't they?"

Caspian let out a faint laugh.

"What do you think? Would they have chased us if I weren't involved?"

Davina frowned. "You don't have to be sarcastic. I was asking a question."

"And I gave you an answer. Are you always this slow to understand things?"

The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

The woman he had married was certainly unusual. No woman had ever spoken to him so casually, much less insulted him to his face. Usually, a single look from him was enough to make people reconsider whatever foolish thing they had been about to say.

But Davina seemed completely unaffected by his reputation.

He couldn't decide whether she was unusually brave or simply didn't understand the danger of provoking him.

Perhaps it was the latter. She clearly had no idea who she had married.

Davina crossed her arms.

"Your family is forcing you to marry someone you don't love, too?"

Caspian's amusement faded slightly.

"Why would you assume that?"

"Because you married a complete stranger just to fulfill some obligation. That doesn't exactly sound like a love story."

He regarded her silently.

She had a point, although he wasn't about to admit it.

"And you're a damn jerk who married me without giving me enough time to think!" Davina continued. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous this situation is? I could probably sue you for what happened."

Caspian picked up the pen resting on the table and rolled it between his fingers.

"On what grounds?"

"Don't test me."

"I'm asking a question."

Davina opened her mouth, then closed it again. She hated that he could remain so calm while she was practically losing her mind.

Caspian stood and straightened his clothes.

"You can stay here for now. I don't keep a full-time household staff, but people come every weekend to clean the house. You won't have to worry about that."

"How generous of you."

He ignored her sarcasm.

"Tomorrow, I want to meet your family."

Davina's expression changed immediately.

"My family?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely not!"

Caspian paused at the doorway and glanced back at her.

"Why?"

"Because my father will kill us if he finds out what happened!"

"Then I suppose we'll find out how he reacts."

"Are you insane?" Davina demanded. "Go and get yourself killed if you're so eager to meet him, but don't drag me into it!"

Caspian stared at her for a moment before leaving without another word.

Davina watched him disappear down the hallway.

"Unbelievable!"

She clenched her fists, torn between wanting to scream and wanting to cry. How could he talk about meeting her father as though they were discussing a casual family dinner?

Her father was probably already furious. The wedding had been prepared well in advance, and she had humiliated him in front of their guests by disappearing before the ceremony could be completed. He might have already lost his temper with the men who had failed to bring her back.

And now she had married another man.

She sank onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands.

"What am I going to do now? I'm doomed."

She had told her father from the beginning that she didn't want to marry Kenzo. Why had he been in such a hurry to marry her off when she still had so many things she wanted to do with her life?

It wasn't as though Kenzo had done anything wrong. He was kind, responsible, and had always treated her well. She had known for years that he had feelings for her, but she had never felt the same way about him.

To her, Kenzo had always been a friend.

She couldn't imagine building a family with someone she didn't love simply because their families had decided it was the right thing to do.

Davina exhaled deeply and stretched out on the enormous sofa, staring at the ceiling.

At least she had managed to escape the wedding. She could explain that to her father eventually, even if he refused to understand her reasons.

But how was she supposed to explain Caspian?

"Damn this place!" she muttered. "How was I supposed to know I'd walked into an office where someone was planning a wedding? Of all the doors in that building, why did I have to choose his?"

She turned onto her side, hugging a cushion.

If she had been more careful, she might have noticed what she was signing before the ceremony began. She had read the documents, but everything had happened so quickly that she had barely had time to process the consequences.

Now she was legally married to a man whose habits, temper, and intentions she knew almost nothing about.

Her father might even disown her.

The thought made her stomach twist. Her father had always been protective of her, but he also had a strong sense of pride. She could already imagine the look on his face when he discovered what she had done.

"I hate this," she whispered.

Part of her wondered whether she would have been better off staying at the wedding. If she hadn't run away, she might have become Mrs. Kenzo instead of Mrs. Sanchez.

But then she remembered how she had felt standing there, knowing she was about to promise herself to someone she didn't love.

No. She couldn't have done it.

She had made a decision, and she would have to face the consequences.

Her phone suddenly rang, startling her out of her thoughts.

Davina sat upright. Her heart began to race as she imagined her father calling to demand an explanation.

She grabbed her phone and checked the screen.

Jillian.

Relief washed over her, and she answered immediately.

"Where the hell are you?!" Jillian shouted.

Davina winced and moved the phone away from her ear.

"I can hear you, you know."

"Then answer me! Your dad is furious. Do you have any idea what's happening here?"

"I know."

"No, Davina. I don't think you do. The wedding was a disaster, and everyone is talking about what happened. Your father has been asking everyone if they've heard from you."

Davina closed her eyes.

"Please don't remind me."

"Girl, I'm trying to help you! Wherever you are, stay there for now. Don't come home until things have calmed down. You know how your father gets when he's angry."

"That's exactly why I'm not going back."

Jillian fell silent for a moment.

Then her voice softened.

"I understand why you ran. I do. It's hard to marry someone you don't love, especially when everyone around you acts as though your feelings don't matter. But you could have at least told me where you were going!"

Davina sighed.

"I didn't even know where I was going. I just wanted to get out of there."

"Well, you certainly managed that."

Despite everything, Davina let out a small laugh.

"How's Kenzo?"

There was a brief pause.

"He hasn't said much. He looks hurt, but he hasn't blamed you or made a scene. You know him. He'll respect your decision, even if it isn't what he wanted."

Davina's smile faded.

She hadn't wanted to hurt Kenzo. He didn't deserve that. But marrying him out of guilt would only have caused more pain in the long run.

"I never wanted things to end like this," she admitted quietly.

"I know."

"I just couldn't do it, Jillian. I couldn't stand there and promise to love someone when I knew I didn't feel that way."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me."

Davina swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Please tell them you haven't spoken to me. I need some time to figure out what I'm going to do."

"Are you safe?"

Davina glanced around the unfamiliar living room.

She thought about Caspian's cold expression, his ridiculous proposal, and the way he had driven them away from the men searching for her.

"I think so."

"That isn't exactly reassuring."

"I'll be careful. I promise."

"All right. But call me if you need anything. And, Davina?"

"Yes?"

"Don't do anything else that will make me lose ten years of my life."

Davina laughed softly.

"I'll try."

She ended the call and switched off her phone. She wasn't ready to deal with another round of questions, especially from her father.

For the moment, she needed to think.

And, more importantly, she needed food.

After lying on the sofa for a while longer, Davina finally got up and began exploring the house.

The place was enormous. She walked through several rooms before shaking her head in disbelief.

"This house is huge, and he lives here alone? Seriously, what does he need all this space for?"

She passed a study and paused when she noticed a framed certificate on a nearby shelf. Curious, she picked it up and examined it.

Caspian Sanchez.

The name appeared on several documents and photographs around the room. There were certificates, business awards, and framed pictures of him attending formal events.

She picked up another photograph.

He was standing beside a group of men in expensive suits, his expression as serious as ever.

Davina tilted her head.

"So, he's the CEO of that hotel?"

She had heard of the company before. It was a well-known business, and its branches were spread across several major cities. She had simply never paid enough attention to its owner to recognize him.

Of course, she would end up marrying someone whose face appeared in business magazines.

Of all the offices she could have entered, she had chosen his.

"Talk about bad luck."

She returned the photograph to its place and continued exploring.

What surprised her most was the lack of personal photographs. Almost every picture on the walls featured Caspian alone or at business events. She couldn't find a single photograph of his parents, siblings, or other relatives.

"Doesn't he have a family?" she murmured.

The question lingered in her mind, but she dismissed it. She had enough problems without worrying about her husband's family history.

Besides, she wasn't planning to stay long enough for it to matter.

She continued searching until she finally found the kitchen.

Davina opened the refrigerator and peered inside. Her expression brightened when she saw several containers of prepared food.

"At least I won't starve here."

She took out a packed meal and placed it in the microwave. While waiting for it to heat, she spotted a bottle of beer in the refrigerator.

She picked it up, opened it, and took a cautious sip.

Her face immediately twisted.

"Why is alcohol so bitter?"

She swallowed with difficulty and put the bottle down, wondering why anyone would willingly drink something that tasted so unpleasant.

Then another thought occurred to her.

Maybe a few bottles would give her enough courage to face her father.

Davina shook her head at herself.

"No. I'd probably end up saying something stupid and make everything worse."

She was still staring at the bottle when a voice spoke behind her.

"You're here."

"Oh, goodness!"

Davina jumped, and the beer sloshed over the rim of the bottle, spilling onto her clothes.

She spun around.

John stood in the kitchen doorway, looking equally startled by her reaction.

"Sorry," he said awkwardly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Davina glared at him.

"Then perhaps you should stop appearing behind people without warning."

John lifted the grocery bags he was carrying.

"I brought some groceries and was going to prepare something for you to eat."

"No need. There's already food here, and I'm perfectly capable of cooking for myself."

"But Sir Caspian specifically asked me to bring these."

Davina rolled her eyes.

Of course he had.

She was beginning to suspect that Caspian had never heard of the word no unless he was the one saying it.

"Fine. Leave the groceries there. You can go back to whatever work you have to do. I'll manage."

John set the bags on the counter but didn't leave.

Davina noticed and narrowed her eyes.

"What now?"

"I'm supposed to make sure you have everything you need."

"Everything I need? What I need is to go home."

John looked uncomfortable.

"That might not be possible right now."

"Why not? I'm not a prisoner."

"No one said you were, ma'am. But you're married to Sir Caspian now, and your father is looking for you. Leaving without a plan could put you in danger."

Davina folded her arms.

"Being married to your boss doesn't mean he gets to control my life. I didn't agree to become his prisoner."

John nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"Do you? Because everyone keeps talking as though my marriage means I suddenly have no say in anything."

Before John could answer, another voice came from the kitchen doorway.

"What exactly are you complaining about now?"

Davina turned.

Caspian stood there, his expression as unreadable as ever.

She stared at him, irritation flaring all over again.

"Perfect. The man of the house has arrived."

Caspian's gaze dropped to the beer bottle in her hand, then moved to the damp patch on her clothes.

"Having a good evening?"

"Wonderful. I've married a stranger, my father is probably planning my funeral, and your employee nearly made me spill an entire bottle of beer on myself. How could it possibly get any better?"

John coughed into his hand.

Caspian gave him a brief look before approaching the refrigerator.

"You're very dramatic."

"And you're very annoying."

He took out a bottle of water and closed the refrigerator.

Davina watched him, still unable to understand how he could remain so calm while her entire life was falling apart.

"I won't be able to go home tonight," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Caspian glanced at her.

"Did I ask you to?"

"No, but I thought you should know. You're the one who brought me here."

"You're my wife on paper. That doesn't mean I need to know your every move."

Davina blinked.

For the first time that evening, she wasn't sure whether to be offended or relieved.

"Fine. I just wanted to tell you that I'll be staying somewhere else tomorrow."

"Do whatever you want."

She stared at him.

"You're not going to stop me?"

"Why would I?"

"Because you seem to think being married gives you the right to make decisions for me."

Caspian took a drink of water before answering.

"I have no interest in keeping someone in my house against her will. But if you're going to leave, at least understand the risks."

Davina hesitated.

"What risks?"

"Your father has people looking for you. If they find you before you've worked out what you're going to do, they'll probably take you straight home."

"And you think they'll just leave me alone if I'm here?"

"I think they'll have to consider the consequences before they try anything."

Something in his tone made her pause.

It wasn't a threat directed at her. It was a statement about the people who might try to take her away.

For the first time, Davina wondered whether Caspian's reputation might be more than a name printed on business documents.

John placed the remaining groceries on the counter.

"Sir, the men who were looking for Davina earlier were checking guest records at one of our nearby hotel branches. They're searching more than just the streets."

Davina's head snapped toward him.

"They're checking hotels, too?"

John nodded.

"They were asking for your name and showing your photograph. They seemed determined to find you."

Davina's stomach tightened.

Her father wasn't simply waiting for her to return. He was actively searching for her, using every resource available to him.

She could no longer pretend that going to another hotel would solve the problem.

Caspian watched her expression change.

"Now do you understand why leaving without a plan would be foolish?"

Davina pressed her lips together.

She hated that he was right.

"I understand that I can't go to a hotel tonight," she said. "That doesn't mean I'm agreeing to stay here indefinitely."

"I didn't ask you to."

"And I want a room where I can sleep without you barging in whenever you feel like it."

Caspian raised an eyebrow.

"This is my house."

"And I'm your wife on paper, remember? Apparently, that means nothing to you unless you're trying to prove a point."

John looked away, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Caspian noticed.

"Something amusing, John?"

"No, sir."

"Then stop smiling."

John immediately straightened.

Davina tried not to laugh, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her.

For a moment, the tension in the kitchen eased.

Caspian noticed her smile and looked faintly surprised. It was the first time she'd appeared even remotely relaxed in his presence.

Then she turned back to her food, and the moment passed.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" Caspian asked, glancing at the packed meal she had heated.

Davina stared at him.

"Why do you care? Mind your own business."

"I was asking a question."

"And I was answering it."

Caspian shook his head slightly before walking out of the kitchen.

Davina watched him leave, then returned to her meal.

She was still hungry, but the thought of her father searching for her had ruined her appetite. Every time she tried to relax, she remembered the men at the hotel and the determined look on their faces.

She needed a plan.

She couldn't hide in Caspian's house forever, and she certainly couldn't rely on him without knowing what kind of man he really was.

John seemed to sense her uneasiness.

"I also bought some clothes for you," he said.

Davina looked up.

"Don't tell me you chose them yourself."

"No. I asked a woman to buy them. I thought you might need something comfortable to wear."

She glanced at the bags he had brought in.

For once, she had no sarcastic response ready.

"Thank you," she said reluctantly.

John smiled.

"You're welcome."

Davina returned to her food, thinking about what to do next. She would have to contact Jillian again when it was safe, and eventually she would have to face her father.

But not tonight.

Tonight, she would stay in the one place her father apparently hadn't searched yet, keep her distance from her unpredictable husband, and figure out how to regain control of her own life.

She wasn't going to let one impulsive decision determine her entire future.

And she certainly wasn't going to let Caspian Sanchez decide it for her.

Chapter 3

Davina had no idea how she was going to face her father after everything she had done.

Kenzo might understand her decision eventually. She had explained several times that she wasn't ready for marriage, and although she knew he was hurt, she hoped he would eventually realize that running away had been better than making a promise she couldn't keep.

Her father, however, was an entirely different problem.

"Damn it!"

Davina tossed the pillow aside and sat up on the bed. She had been alone in the house for hours, and she had no idea when her gorilla of a husband would return.

"Ugh! This has to be the worst day of my life!"

All she had wanted was to escape a wedding she didn't want. Instead, she had ended up marrying a man she barely knew, moving into his enormous house, and becoming the target of her father's search.

What a wonderful day.

She fell back onto the mattress and covered her face with both hands.

She knew her father well enough to understand that he wouldn't take this lightly. He had a reputation to protect, and she had humiliated him in front of their guests. Being his daughter wouldn't necessarily save her from his anger.

She was still trying to imagine what he would say when a faint sound interrupted her thoughts.

A door had opened downstairs.

Davina sat upright.

She listened carefully. Footsteps echoed through the house, growing louder as someone approached.

Her first thought was Caspian.

Her second was that Caspian had warned her about the possibility of intruders.

She couldn't afford to take chances.

Davina hurried to the bedside table and grabbed the nearest vase. It was heavier than she expected, but she tightened her grip and crept toward the bedroom door.

The footsteps drew closer.

She pressed herself against the wall beside the entrance, holding her breath.

The moment someone stepped inside, Davina swung the vase forward.

"Oh, damn it!"

She stopped just in time.

Standing in front of her was a woman.

For a split second, they stared at each other in mutual shock. Then the stranger reached for the weapon at her side and pulled out a gun.

Davina immediately dropped the vase.

The sound of it hitting the floor echoed through the room.

"Who are you?" the woman demanded, pointing the gun at her. "What are you doing in this house?"

Davina slowly raised her hands, although her irritation quickly overtook her fear.

"Excuse me? Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one who just walked in here with a gun!"

The woman let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Are you a thief?"

"A thief? Do I look like someone who breaks into houses for a living?"

"Answer my question."

"Why don't you answer mine first? Who are you?"

The woman's grip tightened around the gun.

"I'm a friend of the owner. If you don't explain yourself, I won't hesitate to shoot."

Davina glanced at the weapon, then back at the woman.

She wasn't foolish enough to believe the gun was harmless. The stranger held it with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

Still, Davina refused to let herself be intimidated into silence.

"You're just his friend?"

"Yes. Now answer me."

Davina lowered her hands and walked toward the sofa.

The woman's eyes widened.

"Hey! I told you to stay where you are!"

"And I heard you." Davina sat down and crossed her legs. "But unless you're planning to shoot me for sitting on a sofa, I don't see the problem."

The woman stared at her as though she had lost her mind.

Davina gestured toward the gun.

"Besides, if you're really a friend of the owner, why don't you call him? Let's see what he has to say about you pointing that thing at his wife."

The woman's expression changed.

"His wife?"

Davina smiled without warmth.

"Yes. His wife. You know how to knock, don't you? Next time, try it before entering someone's house with a gun."

"Caspian doesn't have a wife."

"Then this should be an interesting conversation."

Davina leaned back against the sofa, trying to appear calmer than she felt. She had no intention of provoking an armed stranger any further, but she wasn't going to start begging, either.

The woman pulled out her phone and called Caspian.

It rang several times without an answer.

Her frustration became obvious.

Davina took out her own phone.

"Let me try."

She dialed Caspian's number. He answered almost immediately.

"What is it, Davina?"

The woman stiffened at the sound of his voice.

Davina put the call on speaker.

"I don't need anything," she replied. "But your friend seems to have a few questions."

There was a brief silence.

Then the woman stepped forward.

"Cas, it's me. Sophia."

Caspian's voice changed instantly.

"Sophia? What the hell are you doing at my house?"

"Who is this woman?"

"Put the gun down."

Sophia frowned.

"Answer me first!"

"I said put the gun down, Sophia!"

His voice was sharp enough that Davina instinctively looked at the phone.

Caspian was clearly furious.

He knew Sophia well enough to understand that she was perfectly capable of pointing a gun at someone before asking the right questions. Unfortunately, she had apparently decided to demonstrate that habit in his own house.

"Who is she?" Sophia demanded again.

Caspian rubbed his temple.

"She's my wife. And if you value our friendship, you will lower that gun immediately."

Sophia went still.

For several seconds, she simply stared at Davina.

Then, reluctantly, she lowered her weapon.

Davina looked at the gun before turning her attention back to Sophia.

"Well, that went better than expected."

"Don't get comfortable," Sophia muttered.

Davina raised an eyebrow.

"Was that supposed to scare me?"

"Enough, both of you," Caspian interrupted through the phone. "Davina, I'm coming home. Sophia, don't point that gun at her again."

"Fine," Sophia answered stiffly.

Davina had already lost interest in the conversation.

"Okay, then. Bye."

She ended the call before Caspian could say anything else.

Sophia stared at her in disbelief.

"Did you just hang up on Caspian?"

Davina placed her phone on the table.

"Yes. Why? Is there a law against it?"

Sophia's lips parted, but no answer came.

She had known Caspian for years. She had seen men twice her size struggle to speak in his presence, and she had watched business partners carefully weigh every word before addressing him.

Yet this woman had just ended his call as though he were an ordinary acquaintance.

Who exactly was Davina Flores?

And what had Caspian seen in her?

Davina stood and headed toward the kitchen.

"Sit down. Your legs might get tired standing there. Do you want something to eat? Cookies? Juice? Dessert?"

Sophia hesitated before following her.

"Cookies and juice will be fine."

"Good. At least we agree on something."

Davina disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts.

She couldn't believe what had happened.

Caspian had never mentioned getting married. He hadn't even told her he was seeing someone. As far as Sophia knew, he had spent most of his life keeping women at a distance, preferring business to relationships.

And now he had a wife.

A wife who apparently had no fear of him.

Sophia glanced toward the kitchen.

Davina didn't look particularly intimidating. She wasn't dressed extravagantly, and she certainly didn't carry herself like the women Sophia usually saw around powerful men.

What could Caspian possibly have found attractive about her?

Sophia scoffed.

If it came down to appearance, she had nothing to worry about. She had always considered herself beautiful, and she had known Caspian long enough to develop feelings for him.

Unfortunately, he had never returned them.

Now, before she had even realized what was happening, another woman had taken a place in his life that Sophia had spent years hoping to occupy.

Davina returned with a tray of cookies and juice.

"Here you go."

She placed it on the table before sitting across from Sophia.

"You could have called Caspian before coming here. That way, you wouldn't have had to pull a gun on someone who actually lives in the house."

Sophia picked up her glass.

"When did he get married?"

"Yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Sophia repeated. "That's impossible. He didn't even have a girlfriend!"

Davina shrugged.

"Apparently, he didn't need one."

Sophia gave her a sharp look.

"Where did he even find you?"

Davina smiled sweetly.

"Why don't you ask your friend? I'm sure he'll give you a much more detailed answer."

Sophia's expression tightened.

She was beginning to understand that Davina's innocent-looking smile was often a warning rather than a sign of friendliness.

"You're very comfortable in his house," she remarked.

"Well, he brought me here."

"That doesn't mean you belong here."

Davina's smile disappeared.

She leaned forward slightly.

"Let me ask you something, Sophia. What exactly are you doing here? You arrived without warning, pulled a gun on me, and then acted surprised when I told you I was his wife."

Sophia said nothing.

Davina tilted her head.

"Do you like my husband?"

Sophia nearly choked on her juice.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"That's none of your business."

Davina leaned back.

"Then I suppose my marriage isn't your business, either."

Sophia placed her glass on the table a little harder than necessary.

She disliked the way Davina spoke to her. There was no fear in her voice, no attempt to impress her, and certainly no sign that she felt threatened by Sophia's presence.

It was infuriating.

Davina extended her hand with a bright smile.

"Anyway, I'm Davina. Davina Sanchez. Nice to meet you, Sophia."

The surname felt strange even to Davina herself. She had to resist the urge to grimace as she said it.

Sophia looked at the offered hand but didn't take it.

She wasn't ready to accept that Caspian had married someone else, much less someone who seemed determined to remind her of it.

Before she could respond, the front door opened.

Both women turned.

Caspian strode into the house, his expression dark and his movements hurried. He looked as though he had come straight from whatever he had been doing without stopping to think about anything else.

His gaze went directly to Sophia.

"What the hell are you doing here? You should have called before coming."

Sophia rolled her eyes.

"Is that how you greet an old friend?"

"Not when that friend enters my house and points a gun at my wife."

"I didn't know she was your wife!"

"That doesn't excuse what you did."

Sophia's expression hardened.

"I thought she was a thief. You never told me you were married, Caspian! How was I supposed to know?"

"You could have asked before pulling out a gun."

"I did ask!"

"After you pointed it at her."

Their voices rose, and Davina quietly reached for another cookie.

She had no intention of joining the argument. For once, she was perfectly happy to sit back and watch someone else deal with Caspian's temper.

Caspian finally turned toward her.

"Are you all right?"

Davina paused with the cookie halfway to her mouth.

It was the first thing he had asked her since arriving.

"I'm fine. Your friend is the one who nearly gave me a heart attack."

Sophia scoffed.

"You were about to hit me with a vase!"

"Because you entered the house without warning!"

"I thought you were a thief!"

"And I thought you were a burglar with terrible manners. We were both wrong."

John would probably have laughed if he had been there.

Caspian pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Sophia, apologize."

Sophia stared at him.

"You're serious?"

"Completely."

Her eyes moved toward Davina, who was calmly eating another cookie.

"I'm sorry," Sophia muttered.

Davina swallowed before answering.

"Apology accepted. Next time, use the doorbell."

Sophia looked as though she regretted apologizing at all.

Caspian exhaled slowly.

"What do you need, Sophia?"

For the first time since his arrival, Sophia had no answer ready.

She hadn't come because of a business emergency or an urgent problem. She had simply wanted to see him. When she heard he was back in the city, she decided to visit, never imagining she would find another woman living in his house.

"Nothing," she finally said.

Caspian frowned.

"Then why are you here?"

"I thought you weren't coming home today."

Davina glanced at him.

"Actually, that's what I wanted to ask, too. You said you were busy, so what are you doing here?"

Caspian turned toward her.

"I came to check on you."

Davina stared at him.

"Check on me? I'm not a child who needs someone looking after her."

"Apparently, I can't leave you alone for five minutes without finding out you've nearly assaulted a guest with a vase."

"She pointed a gun at me!"

"And you were holding a vase."

"Because I thought someone had broken into the house!"

Caspian looked at her for a moment before shaking his head.

"You're impossible."

"Look who's talking."

Sophia watched their exchange in silence.

She had expected Caspian to be irritated by Davina's behavior. Instead, he was standing there arguing with her as though he had known her for years.

And despite their sharp words, something about the way he looked at Davina was different.

Sophia had never seen him pay this much attention to a woman.

It made her chest tighten.

"I'm not leaving yet," she announced. "I'll stay here tonight."

Davina's head snapped toward her.

"What?"

Sophia lifted her chin.

"Is there a problem?"

"Several, actually. Starting with the fact that you arrived with a gun and apparently decided this was your house, too."

Sophia ignored her and turned toward the kitchen.

Davina looked at Caspian in disbelief.

"You're letting her stay?"

Caspian watched Sophia disappear through the doorway before answering.

"She's been my friend for years."

"And I'm your wife."

The words came out before Davina could stop them.

For a moment, the two of them stared at each other.

Davina immediately regretted saying it. She had no desire to claim a place in Caspian's life or compete with another woman for his attention. She simply didn't want to be treated like a guest in the house where she was expected to stay.

Caspian's expression shifted, as though he had noticed the same thing.

"Then tell me what you want," he said.

Davina blinked.

"What?"

"If you don't want Sophia staying here, say so. But don't expect me to guess what you're thinking."

She folded her arms.

"I want some privacy. I didn't agree to share a house with a woman who points guns at people."

Caspian considered that.

Then he called toward the kitchen.

"Sophia, I'll arrange a car for you. You can stay at the hotel tonight."

Sophia appeared in the doorway, visibly displeased.

"You're sending me away because of her?"

"I'm sending you away because you threatened someone in my house."

"She's your wife, Caspian. I understand that. But you didn't have to treat me like a stranger."

His jaw tightened.

"Then stop acting as though you have the right to do whatever you want here."

Sophia went silent.

For the first time that evening, she seemed to realize that Caspian wasn't going to change his mind.

She grabbed her bag and headed toward the entrance.

Before leaving, she turned to Davina.

"This isn't over."

Davina raised her eyebrows.

"Was that a threat?"

Sophia glared at her but didn't answer.

The front door slammed behind her.

Davina let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Well, that was pleasant."

Caspian turned toward her.

"Come here."

She immediately took a step back.

"Why?"

"We need to talk."

"Then talk from there."

He gave her an incredulous look.

"Are you always this difficult?"

"Only when people give me reasons to be."

Caspian shook his head and walked toward the kitchen. Davina followed at a cautious distance, determined not to let him corner her again.

He poured himself a glass of water and leaned against the counter.

"I didn't expect Sophia to behave like that."

"Really? Because she seemed very comfortable threatening people with a gun."

"She's impulsive."

"That's a polite way of putting it."

Caspian took a drink.

"She's been my friend for a long time. I didn't know she felt that way about me."

Davina raised an eyebrow.

"And now you do."

"Yes."

"Congratulations."

He looked at her.

"Are you jealous?"

Davina nearly laughed.

"Jealous? Of Sophia? Don't flatter yourself. I'm not interested in competing for your attention."

"Then why are you so upset?"

"Because I'm living in a stranger's house, my father is looking for me, and your friend nearly shot me! Do you really need another reason?"

Caspian watched her closely.

For once, he didn't have an immediate comeback.

Davina continued, her voice growing quieter but no less firm.

"I don't know what you expect from this marriage, Caspian. You may have your reasons for getting married, but I have my own life. I don't want you making decisions for me, and I don't want to spend every day arguing with you."

He set down his glass.

"Neither do I."

"Then stop provoking me."

"You're not exactly easy to deal with yourself."

"At least I'm honest about it."

A faint smile touched his lips.

Davina narrowed her eyes.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing."

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me like you've just thought of something annoying."

His smile widened.

"Maybe I have."

Davina groaned.

"You're exhausting."

She turned to leave, but Caspian spoke before she reached the doorway.

"Where are you going?"

"To my room."

"Already?"

She looked over her shoulder.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"Not at all."

He paused, then added, "I thought we could discuss our honeymoon."

Davina stopped dead.

Slowly, she turned around.

"Our what?"

"Our honeymoon."

She stared at him as though he had just announced plans to move to the moon.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Why would I joke about our honeymoon?"

"Because we're not in love! We barely know each other!"

"You're right. We barely know each other."

"Then why are you talking about a honeymoon?"

Caspian pushed away from the counter and approached her.

"Because we're married, Davina."

She immediately stepped backward.

"Stay where you are."

He stopped, although amusement remained in his eyes.

"You're afraid of me?"

"I'm annoyed with you."

"Those aren't the same thing."

"They are when you're the one standing too close."

Caspian glanced at the space between them.

"Fine."

He took a step back.

The simple gesture surprised her. She had expected him to ignore her warning, as he had ignored so many of her objections during their first meeting.

Instead, he waited.

Davina drew a steadying breath.

"Listen carefully. I agreed to this marriage because I needed a way out of the wedding my family arranged. I didn't agree to fall in love with you, share a bed with you, or pretend we're a happy couple."

Caspian's expression became serious.

"And I didn't promise you any of those things."

"Then we're clear."

"Almost."

Davina frowned.

"What now?"

"I would appreciate it if you stopped threatening to kill me every time we disagree."

She stared at him.

Then, despite herself, she laughed.

"You married the wrong woman, Caspian Sanchez."

"That much is becoming obvious."

For a moment, the tension between them eased.

Then Caspian's gaze dropped to her lips.

Davina noticed the change in his expression and immediately stiffened.

"Don't even think about it."

"Think about what?"

"You know exactly what."

He stepped closer, and she moved back until her shoulders touched the wall.

Her heart began to pound, partly from anger and partly because she couldn't predict what he would do next.

Caspian tilted his head, watching her reaction.

"You're my wife," he murmured.

"On paper."

"Still my wife."

"That doesn't give you the right to touch me whenever you want."

The amusement disappeared from his face for a moment.

Then, instead of answering, he leaned forward and kissed her.

Davina froze in shock.

The kiss was brief, but the moment he pulled away, she shoved him back with both hands.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Caspian took a step away, his expression unreadable.

Davina touched her lips, furious and shaken.

"Don't ever do that again!"

He watched her silently.

"I told you to stay away from me. I told you I didn't want this. Why can't you understand a simple sentence?"

"Davina-"

"No!" She pointed at him. "You don't get to decide what happens to my body just because we signed a piece of paper. If you ever touch me like that again without my permission, I will make sure you regret it."

For once, Caspian had no sarcastic response.

He had expected her to argue. He had expected her to curse at him. But the anger in her eyes was different now, and he couldn't pretend he hadn't crossed a line she had clearly drawn.

He stepped aside, leaving the doorway open.

"All right."

Davina stared at him, still breathing hard.

"All right?"

"I heard you."

She didn't trust how easily he said it, but she wasn't going to stand there waiting for another argument.

She walked past him and headed toward the living room.

Caspian remained in the kitchen, watching her leave.

He had spent years making decisions without needing anyone's approval. People followed his orders because they understood the consequences of refusing him.

Davina was different.

She wasn't impressed by his wealth, intimidated by his temper, or willing to pretend that marriage had suddenly given him ownership over her.

And for the first time, Caspian wondered whether he had made a mistake by assuming he could handle her the same way he handled everyone else.

When Davina entered the living room, Sophia was still there, waiting near the entrance while John arranged transportation.

Sophia's gaze immediately settled on Davina's face.

Then she noticed the lipstick smeared across Davina's lips.

Her eyebrows rose.

Davina caught her reflection in the mirror and went completely still.

For one horrible second, she could only stare.

Then her face burned with anger.

"That damn asshole!"

Sophia glanced toward the kitchen.

She had known Caspian for years. He was usually stern, controlled, and difficult to read. He rarely showed affection, and she had never seen him behave so playfully with another woman.

Yet Davina had somehow managed to get a reaction out of him that Sophia had never received.

She looked back at Davina, her expression tightening.

"Interesting," she murmured.

Davina wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

"If you're about to say something, don't."

Sophia lifted both hands.

"I didn't say anything."

"Good. Keep it that way."

Davina stormed upstairs, determined to stay as far away from Caspian as possible for the rest of the night.

She had enough problems without dealing with his ego, his unexpected kisses, or the jealousy of a woman who clearly wanted him for herself.

But as she closed the bedroom door, one thought remained painfully clear.

Caspian Sanchez might be her husband on paper, but he was going to have to learn that being married to Davina Flores came with boundaries he couldn't simply ignore.