POV: Darius
Location: Darius Wolfe's Penthouse, Manhattan
"Seriously, man?" Caleb asked as he walked into my kitchen like he owned the place. "You actually picked one of Victor's daughters? And not just picked— to marry her? In two weeks?"
He didn't even wait for me to answer.
"I mean—why Adriana? Why not the other one? Regina basically threw herself at you like a damn discount on Black Friday. What were you thinking?"
He kept going, too fast for me to catch a breath.
"You just met her! Five minutes. You barely even looked interested last night—and now you're marrying her? A wife, Darius?"
I turned away from the espresso machine, coffee mug in hand. My patience was already thinning.
"Caleb," I said calmly, with just enough edge to shut him up. "One question at a time. You're giving me a headache."
He held up both hands in surrender, grinning. "Alright. First question. Are you really going through with this marriage?"
I took a sip, leaned against the counter. "Yeah. Why not? My parents have been on my case about marriage for years. I figured… Why not kill two birds with one stone? Victor owed me. I took a daughter. Consider it her bride price."
Caleb barked out a laugh. "Damn. Your brain's twisted. Who even thinks like that?"
I smirked.
He dropped onto one of the stools by the island, still shaking his head. "You don't even know the girl. Haven't seen her in your life until last night. And now you're making her your wife?"
He paused. His tone shifted—slower now, more curious. "Okay, real question. Why her?"
I didn't answer right away.
I walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The morning sun spilled into the room, painting shadows across the floor. The city buzzed below—busy, chaotic, small.
I stared at it all, coffee warm in my hands.
"She didn't throw herself at me," I said quietly.
"What?"
I turned slightly. "Every woman I meet wants one thing—my name, my power, or my money. Hell, even her sister flipped a switch the moment she saw me. But Adriana? She didn't even want to be seen. She wanted to disappear. And that caught my attention."
Caleb raised a brow. "So… you got curious?"
"Yeah. I want to know what's in her head. Why she flinches when people raise their voice. Why she acts like pain is a language she knows fluently."
He stared at me like I'd grown horns. "If I didn't know you better, I'd say you're falling for her."
I scoffed. "I don't do love. You know that."
He grinned. "Right. Mr. Heartless."
Silence settled between us. Not awkward—just heavy. Like both of us knew this decision was a turning point.
And I hadn't even told him the full truth.
Adriana reminded me of someone. Someone I failed to protect. My sister. A topic neither of us talked about.
Caleb finally tapped the counter. "So, what now?"
"Send the contract to Victor. I want both of them to sign it today."
He nodded. "On it."
"And get her a personal assistant. Pick someone from your security team. Female. Trained. Smart. Someone discreet. She'll double as a bodyguard."
He raised a brow. "Planning to give her the royal treatment now?"
"She's going to be my wife," I said. "She might not love me. I sure as hell don't love her. But she's mine. She'll look the part. I don't want anyone mistaking her for someone disposable."
He nodded, taking mental notes. "Got it. What else?"
"Change her wardrobe. Everything. Give her access to a stylist. Let her choose—but guide her."
"Alright."
"Assign her a car. And a driver. And give her a black card—unlimited access. Any expense she needs, personal or otherwise."
Caleb whistled. "Damn. You're really going all in. Maybe I should marry you."
I ignored him.
He leaned forward, smirking. "So, you told your parents yet?"
I exhaled. "No. I'll tell them at the family dinner this weekend."
That made him laugh—loud and long.
"Oh man," he chuckled. "I cannot wait to see Mama Florence's reaction."
I rolled my eyes. "She'll scream."
"She'll do more than scream. She's been praying for a wife for you since you were twenty. And now you're showing up with a girl no one's ever met—Victor Reed's daughter, of all people? This is gonna be wild."
I smirked. "We'll see."
Caleb stood and stretched. "You want me to handle everything?"
I nodded. "Keep me posted."
He gave a mock salute. "Alright, Mr. Romantic. Off to prep for your bride."
"I'm not romantic, Caleb."
He turned, grinning. "Yeah, sure. Tell that to the closet full of new clothes you're about to buy her."
I tossed a napkin at him as he laughed his way out the door.
And when silence returned to the penthouse, I stared out at the city again.
Mama Florence.
She's going to have my neck for this.
And God help me…
If she doesn't like Adriana.