Page 16 of Declan

Declan steps in, leaning against the doorframe. He is not wearing a jacket, just a white shirt with sleeves rolled up, revealing tattoos on his arms.

“Is this your plan, firecracker?” he asks, arms crossed, his buttons straining against his muscles.

“My plan?” I slip into a robe over my towel, tying it slowly as I meet his gaze.

“You’re teasing my brothers, flaunting yourself in front of them, just to get a rise out of me?” His dark eyes roam over me, but there’s no desire, just something darker.

“Is it working?” I taunt, smiling.

He closes the distance between us, tilting my chin up with his knuckles so I have no choice but to look at him.

“You’re mine, Viviana. Not Connor’s. Not Kian’s.Mine.And I don’t share.” His voice drops an octave.

“Possessive much?” I deadpan.

“You have no idea, firecracker.” He takes a step back. “This is a fake wedding, a business deal. But you are still myfuckingwife, and you will respect me and my brothers.”

Without waiting for a response, he leaves, closing the door behind him.

I launch myself onto the bed, sinking into the soft mattress and silky sheets, my body relaxing for the first time since the gathering.

Chapter 5

Declan

Ilean against the door, the cool wood pressing into my back as I let out a slow breath. She is something else. Viviana Morelli is unlike any woman I’ve ever encountered—fearless, reckless, and entirely too confident for her own good.

As I walk away from the bedroom, I can’t shake the image of her standing there, trying to get under my skin with every look, every word. Damn it, she’s gotten to me. Not enough to lose control, but enough to keep me on edge—enough to make me wonder just how far she’s willing to go.

If she wants a war, she’ll get one. But it will be a war I’ll win.

I make my way to my study—a place where I can think clearly, where I can plot my next move without the distraction of her presence. My brothers are already there, and as soon as I enter, they both turn to me with knowing looks.

Kian leans back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. “So, how’s the wedding night going?"

I shot him a look that could cut glass. “She’s testing me.”

Connor, still red around the ears, mutters under his breath, “She’s testing all of us.”

I can’t help but smirk. “She’s just getting started. But don’t worry, she’ll figure out soon enough that she’s in over her head.”

Connor shifts uncomfortably, clearly still rattled by his encounter with her. I’ll have to keep an eye on that. Viviana might see him as an easy target, but I’m not about to let her use my little brother as a pawn in whatever game she thinks she’s playing.

Kian, ever the strategist, chuckles. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

I shrug, taking a seat and pouring myself a drink. “She’s entertaining; that’s the main reason she’s here. But she’ll learn soon enough.”

Connor frowns, his concern evident. “And if she doesn’t?”

I sip my whisky, then burn a convincing reminder that I’m in control, that I have the upper hand. “Then she’ll deal with the consequences. But trust me, she’ll come around. They always do.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Connor says, draining his glass in one go.

“She’s a menace. A good-looking one, at least. Right, lad?” Kian jokes, noticing Connor still trying to shake off the encounter.

“Leave him alone, mate,” I warn with a smirk.

“Come on, he knows I’m joking.” Kian claps Connor on the back. “Right, little brother?”

---