Page 9

Ozias

I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, watching the city come to life as my gaze swept over the skyline.

The view from the fiftieth floor of Rivera BioPharma Cancun headquarters was breathtaking, but my mind was elsewhere.

My fingers drummed impatiently on the polished oak desk as I awaited news of Demi’s arrival.

Everything was falling into place, just as I planned.

I’d been watching Demi from afar since the deal came across my desk to align our families.

I knew her frequent whereabouts, how good she was at poker, who she told her secrets to, and how fucking good she looked even when she thought no one was watching.

While my men were retrieving the Malone princess from the private mansion in Cancun, I was already en route on my private jet.

It was only a matter of time before she would be delivered right at my feet.

I allowed myself a slight smirk of satisfaction.

Cyrus Malone thought he could back out of our deal, but he’d soon learn that no one double-crossed Ozias Rivera and got away with it.

I’d had men stationed in Chicago to retrieve her when I learned about her meeting in Cancun.

I had Javier, my most trusted lieutenant, watch her at the restaurant.

He sent me videos and photos of her meeting and put a tracker on her vehicle, which led me right to the mansion she was staying at.

Taking his daughter was just the first step in bringing the Malones to their knees.

Making her fall in love with me and bear my seed was the second.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was from Javier.

Javier: Package secured. ETA. Ten minutes.

“Excellent,” I muttered before pocketing the phone.

I turned back to the window, clasping my hands behind my back as I surveyed my domain.

Chicago may not have known it yet, but the city, among others across the US and Mexico, belonged to me.

Rivera BioPharma was just the tip of the iceberg—a perfectly legal front for the real empire I’d built.

Every day, shipments of cocaine, heroin, and other illicit substances flowed into the country under the guise of pharmaceutical supplies.

The DEA hadn’t caught on yet, and by the time they did, it’d be too late.

But drugs were just the beginning. With Demi as my wife, I’d have a foothold into the Malone’s territory. And once I crushed Cyrus, there would be no one left to challenge my power.

Ten minutes later, a knock at the door interrupted my deliberations. “Enter,” I commanded, not bothering to turn around.

I heard the door open, followed by the soft whir of wheels on the carpet. My pulse quickened, knowing who they’d brought me.

“ Jefe .” Javier’s gravelly voice broke the silence. “We have her.”

I took a deep breath, composing myself before I faced them. I couldn’t let them see how eager I was to lay eyes on my bride-to-be. When I finally turned, my expression was a mask of cool indifference.

Javier stood beside a large laundry cart on wheels with ángel hovering nearby.

I approached slowly, savoring the moment.

When Javier pulled off the sheet, I got my first glimpse of Demi Malone in the flesh.

She was even more beautiful than her photos suggested.

Long dark hair framed a face of sweet caramel perfection.

Her curves were generous, her body delicate and inviting, even in unconsciousness.

But it was the stubborn set of her jaw, the slight furrow between her perfectly arched brows, that truly captivated me.

This was a woman who wouldn’t be easily tamed—and I was looking forward to the challenge.

“How long until she wakes up?” I asked, not peeling my eyes away from her.

Javier shrugged. “Shouldn’t be too much longer, boss. We gave her another dose when we got her in the truck, but it’s starting to wear off.”

“And the female mule?”

“Paid well for her job, and the bodies have been disposed of how you asked.”

“All?” I asked, brow lurching upward.

“All but one,” he clarified.

I nodded, pleased. “Good. I’ll take it from here. My fiancée and I have much to discuss.”

As if on cue, Demi began to stir. A delicate moan escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered. I leaned in closer, eager to see those brown eyes I’d heard so much about.

“Ugh,” she groaned, slowly lifting a hand to her forehead. “My head is killing me.”

Her eyes snapped open suddenly, darting around the large cart in confusion before landing on me. Recognition dawned, followed quickly by fear and anger. She tried to sit up, but Javier’s hand on her shoulder kept her in place.

I decided to break the ice. “I’m sure you know who I am and why you’re here.”

The realization snatched the air straight from her lungs. Her eyes ballooned when she realized the amount of danger she was in. Demi swallowed hard, her throat working as she struggled to find her voice. When she spoke, there was a tremor.

“I know exactly who you are. W-what happened t-to the bride a-and Samara a-and, oh my God! What the fuck did you do, and why am I here? Our marriage is supposed to be off the table!” She screamed at me, chest heaving in and out as her anxiety started to take hold.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her spirit.

Even drugged and at my mercy, she still had fight in her.

“Oh, mi amor ,” I growled, leaning in closer.

“Your father may have terminated our deal, but I’m afraid I don’t accept his decision.

You see, you’re the key to everything I want—and I intend to make you my wife whether your daddy likes it or not.

And as for your friends,” I said, clasping my hands together. “They’re dead.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “D-dead? Are you insane? What the hell is wrong with you, you fucking monster? You just go around killing innocent people for fun?”

“I don’t find killing fun, mi amor . I find it necessary. And for your information, the wedding that was set to take place there on Sunday was for one of my rivals. No bride, no wedding. That’s two birds, one stone in my book, and I love efficiency.”

She daggered her glare at me, hoping that by showing me her teeth, I’d tuck my tail and stand down. “My father will kill you. Do you hear me? He isn’t the kind of man you fuck with.”

Something snapped inside me at the sound of her words. In an instant, I was in her face, my hands gripping the sides of the cart as I loomed over her. “And you think I am?” I roared, watching her flinch. “Do I look like the kind of man who gets fucked with, Demi?”

To my surprise, a bark of laughter escaped her lips. “Actually, you do,” she replied, her brown eyes glittering with defiance.

“Mind your fuckin’ tongue,” I growled, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at me. “With me, there are rules. It’s the only thing that separates us from animals in the wild. You don’t exist outside the rules. It’s something you’ll have to learn if you’re going to survive being my wife.”

She jerked away from my grip, glaring daggers at me. “I’ve never minded my tongue in my fucking life,” she spat. “I speak my mind and do what I want, when I want. And I sure as shit won’t be on your fucking leash.”

A smile tugged at my lips despite my anger. Oh, how I was going to enjoy taming the wildflower. “That’s what you think, mi amor ,” I murmured, running a finger along her baby-soft jawline. She tried to bite me, but I was too quick. “But you’ll learn.”

I stepped back, nodding to Javier. “Are we ready to leave?”

“ Si, Jefe ,” he replied, reaching for something in his pocket.

Demi’s eyes widened as she spotted the syringe. “What the fu—” Her protest was cut short as Javier jabbed the needle into her neck. Her long lashes fluttered, and her eyes rolled back as she went limp once more.

ángel chuckled as he helped put the cover back over the cart. “She’s got quite a mouth on her, boss.”

I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as I gathered my things. “And I look forward to putting that mouth to good use.”

As we made our way out of the office, my mind was already racing with plans. Demi may have thought she could resist me, but she had no idea what she was up against. I’d waited too long and sacrificed too much to let this fiery spirited creature derail my ambitions.

By the time we reached my private elevator, I’d taken a few deep breaths and calmed myself down. I would make Demi Malone mine, body and soul. And through her, I’d crush her father and claim everything he held dear.

The elevator doors slid shut, carrying us down to the waiting car. I felt a thrill of anticipation. The real game was just beginning—and I intended to win, no matter the cost.

The elevator dinged softly as it reached the ground floor. I stepped out first, my polished shoes clicking against the marble as I led the way through the deserted lobby. The overnight security guard nodded respectfully as we passed, averting his eyes from the covered cart Javier pushed behind me.

Smart man. In my world, curiosity could be a death sentence.

Outside, the warm air wisped past my face. The city stretched out before us, a glittering labyrinth of spice and culture. My kingdom, though few refused to acknowledge it. I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of power and possibility.

“The car’s ready, Jefe ,” ángel murmured, gesturing to the waiting black SUV.

I nodded, watching as Javier carefully maneuvered the cart to the vehicle. “Gentle with our guest,” I reminded him. “I want her unharmed.”

As they loaded Demi into the vehicle, I allowed myself a moment of reflection.

The beauty had become the key player of all my plans.

She was crucial to expanding my empire, crushing my rivals, and cementing my power once and for all.

And yet... there was something about her defiance that stirred something deeper—a challenge I hadn’t faced in years. It was intriguing, to say the least.

I shook off the thought. As much money as I had, sentiment was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Not when I was so close to everything I’d fought for.

“We’re set, boss,” ángel called out.

I slid into the back seat, my eyes immediately drawn to Demi’s unconscious form. Even in sleep, the stubborn set to her jaw made me want to smile. She wouldn’t be easily tamed and wouldn’t break easily, but that was half the fun.

I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.

As the car pulled away from the curb, I allowed myself a rare moment of anticipation. Just by looking at her, I knew the next few days would be very interesting.

I settled back into the plush leather seat and my eyes fixed on Demi’s beautiful face as we glided through the streets. The morning sunlight flickered across her smooth brown skin, casting shadows that danced over her delicate features.

I adjusted my grip on Demi, her head lolling against my chest. “Have the jet prepared,” I ordered, staring at Demi. “We leave for Cabo within the hour.”