Page 13 of Forbidden Daddy
I nodded, not trusting my voice, and let him guide me toward the plane. The night air was cool against my flushed skin, carrying the scent of jet fuel and impending rain. In the distance, the city sparkled like a collection of fallen stars, beautiful and completely out of reach.
The plane’s interior was pure luxury—cream leather seats, polished wood accents, and enough space to make me forget we were airborne. Roman settled into one of the larger seats and pulled out his phone, immediately immersing himself in what looked like serious business.
I buckled myself in across from him, my mind racing with questions I wasn’t sure I wanted answered.
"Explain," I said once we were airborne, my voice steadier than I felt.
Roman set his phone aside and fixed me with that intense blue stare that made my pulse spike. "It’s simple. I need a wife tosecure my inheritance and legitimize the business. You need financial security and protection."
"Protection from what?"
His jaw tightened. "From the kind of people who don’t like change."
That wasn’t an answer, and we both knew it. But before I could press him, he continued.
"This is a business arrangement, Cassie. Nothing more. You’ll still be my assistant. Nothing public changes—just your last name."
"But we’ll be married. Legally."
"Yes."
"And you expect me to just... agree to this? Because you say so?"
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. "I expect you to recognize a good deal when you see one."
My temper flared. "A good deal? You’re asking me to marry you!"
"I’m offering you security that most people only dream of. You’ll never worry about money again. You’ll have protection, resources, and access to a world most people never see. And all you have to do is sign a piece of paper and wear my ring."
I stared at him, this man who commanded empires and bent the world to his will, trying to process what he was asking of me. The rational part of my brain screamed that this was insane, that I should demand he turn the plane around and forget this ever happened.
But the rational part of my brain wasn’t in control anymore.
Because the truth was, I’d been half in love with Roman Creed since my first day working for him. I’d spent five months memorizing the way he moved, the way he thought, the way his rare smiles transformed his entire face. I’d fantasized about what it would be like to belong to him, to be the woman who could handle his darkness and match his intensity.
Now he was offering me exactly that, just without the love part.
"What about love?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it.
Roman’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in his eyes. "Love is a luxury neither of us can afford. This is about survival."
The words hit me like a physical blow, even though I’d expected them. Of course, a man like Roman Creed didn’t believe in love. Men like him believed in power, control, and leverage. I’d been naive to think otherwise.
"And if I say no?"
The silence stretched between us, loaded with implications I didn’t want to examine too closely.
"You won’t," he said finally. The quiet certainty in his voice made my chest tighten.
He was right, and we both knew it. I couldn’t say no, not because he was threatening me, but because I didn’t want to. Despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, despite knowing this was probably the worst decision I’d ever make, I wanted to say yes.
Iwantedto be his.
The plane began its descent, and Roman’s attention shifted to the window. His entire body went tense, that predatory alertness that meant he was scanning for threats. I followed his gaze and saw lights approaching—an airport, but smaller than where we’d taken off.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Safe," was all he said, but his hand moved to his jacket, resting over where I knew his gun was holstered.
