“Afraid?”

Maximilian repeated my words quietly, as if the term sounded strange to his own ears. His brow furrowed slightly, his gray eyes fixed on me without blinking.

I stared back at him. Something was different. I caught a flicker of emotion I'd never seen on Maximilian's face before.

Only a split second. So quick that anyone else might have missed it. But I wasn't anyone else.

After years of working as both a wedding planner and event organizer, I'd trained myself to read the body language of brides and grooms. Often a bride would give her groom just the smallest glance, and from that alone I'd know the dress needed altering, the decorations needed changing, or something was making her uncomfortable.

A look had become a language I understood far better than words. And just now, Maximilian had looked genuinely worried. He quickly hid that expression. So fast that his face returned to its usual coldness.

“Mrs. Blackridge.” Lucas's voice broke the silence. “I believe you've spoken out of line.”

I turned toward him. Before I could respond, Maximilian's voice rang out louder than before.

“I already told you! Emery is free to say whatever she wants to me.”

His tone was so sharp it sounded like a snap. The room fell suddenly silent.

Lucas tensed immediately. I fell silent too.

“My apologies, sir.” Lucas bowed his head at once.

Maximilian didn't even glance at him. His gaze stayed fixed on me. Slowly he stepped closer until our faces were once again only inches apart.

“I've never been afraid of anything, Emery,” Maximilian said, each word deliberate.

I held my breath instinctively.

“Until I met you,” Maximilian continued.

I raised both eyebrows. What? I hadn't misheard, had I?

Before I could process what he meant, a deafening gunshot rang out.

Bang!

“Ahh!” I let out a soft scream.

My body dropped into a crouch instinctively, hands covering my head. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of my chest.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A burst of gunfire followed, shattering the suite's silence. The sound of breaking glass filled the room.

I didn't know who was shooting. I didn't know where the bullets were coming from. All I knew was that those terrifying sounds felt far too close.

Someone suddenly pulled at my body.

“Get down, Emery!”

I recognized the voice, Maximilian. For the first time since meeting him, I obeyed Maximilian's order without a single objection.

Maximilian held me tightly. My chest pressed against his body as he positioned himself in front of me, as if making himself a human shield.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Without realizing it, my hands clutched his jacket.

The gunfire kept exchanging back and forth for several seconds. I didn't even dare lift my head. Then, everything went suddenly quiet. Only the sound of our ragged breathing remained.

“We're leaving now.” Maximilian pulled at my shoulder gently.

Maximilian helped me stand. My legs shook violently. The first sight that met my eyes made me freeze instantly.

The massive glass window had shattered into pieces. Broken glass covered the floor. The table, the flower vase, the television, even the painting on the wall had all been destroyed by the gunfire.

I swallowed hard. This suite was on the fifth floor. Whoever had shot at us must have been targeting Maximilian specifically.

“Quickly, sir!” Lucas shouted from the doorway.

Maximilian gave a short nod. But when I tried to take a step, my knees gave out completely. Tears filled my eyes again.

I couldn't do it. I truly couldn't. Without saying a word, Maximilian bent down. He lifted my body into his arms.

I gasped. My hands wrapped instinctively around his neck to keep from falling. My body trembled. I buried my face in the curve of his shoulder.

Maximilian ran out of the suite with long strides. I kept my eyes shut tight. Until something warm dampened my fingers as I touched Maximilian's arm.

I opened my eyes slowly. Both my eyes went wide.

“You've been shot!” My voice trembled violently.

Maximilian kept running down the hotel corridor.

“That first shot earlier. It's nothing. I'm used to it,” Maximilian answered casually.

I stared at him in disbelief. Used to it? How could anyone consider a bullet lodged in their arm something ordinary?

“You need to get treated right away!” I cried, nearly in tears.

Maximilian only lifted one corner of his mouth. “Are you starting to worry about me now?”

I frowned in irritation. Had this man lost his mind? There was a bullet lodged in his arm, yet he still had time to tease me.

We finally reached the hotel's back lobby. Several black cars were already waiting with their engines running.

Before getting into the car, Maximilian paused for a moment. His gaze turned cold. He turned to Lucas.

“Finish them,” Maximilian ordered. “No mercy.”

I shuddered. He said those words as easily as someone ordering a cup of coffee.

Maximilian's world was truly the opposite of mine. I lived among guest lists, floral arrangements, wedding gowns, and sacred vows. While this man lived among blood, bullets, and death.

The car door shut the moment we got in. Before I could even catch my breath, Maximilian opened a medical kit stored beneath the seat. Without hesitation, he took out a small surgical blade and a pair of forceps.

“What are you doing?!” I asked, panicked.

Maximilian didn't answer. Instead, he tore open his own jacket sleeve, revealing the gunshot wound still bleeding.

I went pale instantly. With an expression that was nearly blank, Maximilian inserted the forceps into the wound.

“Maximilian, don't—”

I screamed as the madman dug the bullet out of his own arm. The blood flowed even more heavily. But what terrified me more was that he then took a surgical needle and began stitching his own wound without so much as a wince.

“Oh my God!” I was completely panicked.

My heart felt like it had stopped beating at the horrifying sight before me. But beneath that fear, something inside me stirred.

My humanity. I gritted my teeth, then leaned closer with trembling hands.

“What can I do to help, damn it?” I asked, my hands shaking. “You're terrifying!”

“What can you do with those trembling hands?” Maximilian asked, his deep voice low and dripping with mocking amusement. “If you can't bear to watch, just close your eyes, sweetheart. I won't scream.”

He was right. I could close my eyes. Before he did anything even more reckless, I squeezed my eyes shut as tightly as I could.

His soft, husky chuckle echoed through the dimly lit car, sending vibrations straight through my already tense body. Not only did I close my eyes, I also pressed both hands over my ears, bracing myself in case he suddenly groaned in pain.

Moments later, his calm, velvety voice cut through the darkness. “It's done. You can open your eyes now.”

I slowly opened them and turned toward him. The wound on his arm had been treated, but the bandage was sloppy and crooked. I swallowed nervously, trying to steady my erratic breathing.

“I can at least wrap a bandage properly,” I said quickly. “Let me fix it.”

I gently pulled his hand closer and rested his muscular arm across my thigh. My fingers, still trembling, began carefully unwinding the messy bandage. Maximilian stayed silent, letting me work while watching me with those intense, predatory eyes.

“You're starting to pay attention to me,” he murmured, clearly pleased.

Goosebumps prickled across my skin.

“I'm not,” I denied instantly, refusing to look at him. “I just don't want you catching a fever from an infected wound and then I'd be stuck taking care of you.”

Soon the driver slid into the front seat. The door closed with a soft thud, and the car glided into the night.

While I focused on rewrapping the bandage neatly, I could feel Maximilian's heavy, heated gaze burning into me. Even from the corner of my eye, I could see the dark desire in his expression.

“Is it true that a marriage needs love to survive?” he asked suddenly, his tone strangely curious.

I glanced at him, startled that Maximilian Blackridge would ask something like that. The question sounded so foreign coming from his usual cold, arrogant mouth.

“Of course,” I answered shortly, still carefully winding the fresh bandage around his arm.

“Then you'll have to fall in love with me.”

His voice dropped into a sinful whisper as his large hand slowly caressed my thigh, fingers tracing lazy patterns on my bare skin. He boldly slid my dress higher, exposing more of my smooth thighs.

I stiffened immediately. The heat of his palm sent sparks of unwanted pleasure racing through my body. His hand continued its journey upward, fingers slipping under the hem of my dress until his rough fingertips brushed against the damp fabric of my panties.

I quickly grabbed his wrist and pushed his hand away.

“It’s done,” I said breathlessly, my voice shaky.

Maximilian inspected the bandage and smirked. “Good. Only one flaw.”

“What?” I asked, still flustered.

“It finished too quickly.” His eyes darkened as they dropped to my lips. “I haven’t gotten my hands on you yet.”

Without warning, Maximilian gripped my thigh firmly, spreading my legs apart. His fingers moved with bold confidence, pressing against my pussy through the thin, soaked fabric. I gasped sharply.

“No … I’m not ready,” I whispered in panic.

I glanced nervously at the driver in front, terrified he might check the rearview mirror. But Maximilian didn’t give a damn.

I tried to stop him. “Stop— Ahh!”

A deep, throaty groan nearly escaped me as Maximilian pushed my panties aside and plunged one thick finger straight into my dripping cunt. I was embarrassingly wet, his finger slid in easily, buried to the knuckle in my tight, throbbing heat.

“Fuck … not ready?” he growled softly against my ear, voice thick with lust. “You’re absolutely soaked, you naughty little slut. Your pussy is sucking my finger in so greedily.”

I stopped fighting him. My body betrayed me completely. My hips rocked involuntarily as he began pumping his finger in and out of me in a steady, sinful rhythm. He added a second finger, stretching me deliciously while his thumb found my swollen clit and rubbed tight, teasing circles around it.

Pleasure surged through me like liquid fire. My breathing turned into soft, desperate whimpers. My inner walls clenched tightly around his invading fingers, coating them with my slick arousal. The wet, obscene sounds of his fingers fucking my dripping pussy filled the small space of the car.

I was so close, right on the edge of a shattering orgasm.

Then, suddenly, Maximilian pulled his fingers out completely, leaving me empty and aching.

He brought his glistening fingers to his lips, tasting me with a dark and satisfied hum, before leaning in and kissing my burning cheek.

His hot breath fanned my ear as he whispered, “We’re going to save that orgasm for later, baby. I want to feel you come all over my cock instead.”

I slumped back against the seat, completely humiliated and frustrated. My face was flushed crimson, my heart hammering wildly, and my needy pussy throbbed painfully, dripping with arousal and desperate for release.

Maximilian’s phone rang suddenly.

“Yes?” He answered with a cold, clipped tone.

He listened in silence, his expression turning icy once more. Meanwhile, I sat beside him, legs still slightly parted, panties ruined and clinging to my swollen, aching folds as I tried to regain control of my trembling body.

“Crimson Syndicate?” Maximilian’s voice turned deadly. “Tell that bastard Crimson I’ll repay everything he took from me three times over.”