Page 29 of Stolen Bride for the Don

The first one is blood red with a full skirt; it would hang to about mid-calf length but it has a plunging neckline and off-the shoulder straps. Gorgeous. The second option looks to be another skin tight option, like the last time Hudson gave me a dress, but this one is made of lace and has a high neckline. A midi. I guess that’s what deems it as modest. Again, stunning. I don’t know how I’ll pick.

After trying the dresses on, I settle for the red number and tie my hair up into a high ponytail, as requested by my fiancé–or very soon to be. I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this…which reminds me: I should get to the study to sign away my life.

I slip on a pair of four inch strappy black sandals and leave my cell.

“You’re late.” Hudson frowns when I finally make it into the study, not exactly the reaction I was hoping for in this dress. He’s with Crew, who nods at me as I enter. “We’ll pick this up later,” he informs, Crew who walks out of the study almost immediately.

“I wasn’t aware I had a schedule to keep to,” I answer as I walk to him. “I have zero concept of time because there’s no clock in the bedroom, and I lost my phone the night you kidnapped me. I can’t even check my mobile for the time.”

“Hmmm” is his response as he pushes a thick thermal mug to me. I frown but pick it up. I open the lid to find the mug filled to the brim with steaming coffee. Just the way I like it.

I don’t stop to question him as I lift the mug to my lips and gulp a scalding mouthful. Hmm, delicious. Hudson watches me, his brows steadily going up, but he doesn’t say a word.

When there’s nothing left in the mug, I drop it on his desk with a drawn-out sigh, licking my lips. “What happened to stopping me from drinking coffee?”

He shrugs, “I changed my mind. You’re somewhat nicer when you’re caffeinated.” Before I can question him further–I’m curious about what actually changed his mind–he pushes a few documents to me.

“Here’s the contract. If you just sign here and here, we’ll be on our way.”

I pick up the document, squinting at the tiny words. “What font size did you use? 2?” I ask snarkily. Did he make it this small on purpose so I wouldn’t be able to read the fine print? It’s all fucking, fine print. Whatever, not like I’m allowed to negotiate. “Give me a pen.” He does, and I sign my name. Somehow, it feels like I just signed my death certificate.

The immensely satisfied look on his face as he unfolds himself from his chair, all limbs and limber, doesn’t exactly make me feel better, even though my core clenches a little. I don’t know how he can make something as mundane as getting up look sexy, damn him. I glare at him. He adjusts his cuffs and then approaches me slowly.

“Ready to leave, wife?”

“I’m not your wife.”

“Yet,” he smirks. I roll my eyes and spin away from him, but he grabs my arm before I can take more than a single step. “You’re going to have to put a lid on that attitude, pet. As soon as we’re out of this study, it's showtime.”

I give him a sweet smile. “You don’t need to remind me of my role, Pendejo.” Asshole.

He uses his grip on my hand to turn me to face him and pinches my chin between his index finger and thumb. “I’m not just your husband, Andrea. I’m your Don. Remember that. Insulting me in English, Spanish or whatever other languages you know should be restricted to when we’re alone, or else I’ll have to retaliate.” He flicks his index finger against the underside of my chin. It stings, but I stay still, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Noted, Hudson.”

“And do not call me that in the company of others, either. I’m Massim or husband to you out there.”

That’s right. Everyone has been referring to him as Massimo except me. “Why? Is Hudson your upstanding citizen alter ego?” He doesn’t respond but his green eyes flicker. Bingo. “I’m right, aren’t I?” Why would he want me to call him that instead of the name everyone else knows him as?

“I don’t have the time or the inclination to have this conversation with you right now,” he murmurs, releasing my chin and arm. I must be going crazy because I feel the loss of his warmth viscerally.

“Ass,” I growl and spin back to face the door. I can feel him close behind me as I leave the study. He must have invited his men into the house today or maybe they come into the mansion during the day because I see a lot of people walking about. They stare at us–me–curiously, but I ignore them as we walk down the stairs to the door Maximus had passed through after Diane dismissed him yesterday. It turns out to be a great foyer with a huge golden chandelier dropping from a high ceiling.

Hudson is now walking in front of me and types in a password. The lock mechanism beeps; but instead of the door opening, a biometric scanner opens that scans first his right eye, then the left.

“Isn’t this a little overkill?” I grumble. He opens the door and gestures for me to follow him. The Jeep I jumped out of the night he kidnapped me is waiting for us in the driveway at the base of the front steps with the man who drove us that night. The driver nods at us and opens the back door.

“I’ve got this, Tanner.” Hudson waves him off as he drops his left hand to the base of my spine. I flinch at the contact, which makes him narrow his eyes at me. Right, we're in public so we have to act out our roles.

“Go on in, wife.” He gestures to the open door.

“I thought we were going for a walk, husband.” I give him a questioning glance as I get into the car. He chuckles as he closes the door and walks around the back of the car to get in from the other side.

“We are,” he answers when he gets in. “Now fasten your seatbelt or I’ll come over there and do it myself,” he threatens as Tanner starts the car and pulls out of the driveway.

“If we are going for a walk, then why are we riding in a car?” I ask as I buckle the seatbelt. I give him a pointed glance when I notice he hasn’t done the same. I gesture at him with my hand.

“It’s fine. Tanner is a great driver.” He dismisses my worries with, “The drive to the main gate is about two blocks and from there to the park is about three miles. You’re not suggesting we walk the entire distance, are you?”

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