CENRIC

“Wow! This looks surreal,” her first comment as she looked around the Villa.

Aside from its access to the beach, it had a greenery garden as if giving us our own privacy. It was made mostly from hardwood, with wide windows and a high ceiling that enhanced the sea breeze, smell, and sound of nature. It had oversized furniture, a kitchen, a king-sized bed, a queen daybed, an en-suite bathroom, and private outdoor dining.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wollf. I wouldn’t make it in time if I was the one to pick you up from the airport.”

“Devin?” I knew Sadie would be surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“Mrs. Wollf, I resigned as your brother’s bodyguard. Mr. Wollf then offered me a job. So here I am, ma’am.”

“Well, it’s good to see a familiar face around here. And good for you. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She faced me. “Why didn’t you tell me you hired— ” She chuckled. “Never mind.”

“He helped you, and I know I can trust him to look after you.”

“What do you mean?” She sounded alarmed.

“Devin will be your bodyguard.”

“What?” With wide eyes, she bounced her gaze between Devin and me. “I don’t think I need one.”

“Don’t worry, ma’am. You won’t even notice me around. I’ll make sure to be more discreet and give you your privacy.”

“Great.” She wasn’t impressed, but I was not going to give her a choice. She needed a bodyguard whether she liked it or not. “But hard not to. Since Cenric is here, can you go now somewhere else and enjoy the scenery.”

I knew Devin wouldn’t listen to her. He knew the drill, and I specifically briefed him regarding his job. He only took orders from her when there would be an emergency or her life was in danger.

“It’s okay. Thank you for reporting on short notice, Devin.”

He finally left us.

Sadie went to the master bedroom. I followed suit and found her leaning against the jamb. Her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the lush ocean.

“Do you trust him?”

“He’s the only one who treated me like a lady.” Her voice dropped. She didn’t face me.

“Then why are you upset?”

“I am not. I’m grateful for what you’ve done. I just don’t think I need a bodyguard.”

“I don’t want anyone from your family, especially your father’s men will pay you a visit. Trust me, and I can feel it in my bones that they will reach out, if not sooner, later.”

Finally, she faced me. Her eyes laced with confusion and terror. “What do you mean?”

“What do you know about your family business?”

She shut her eyes briefly before she talked, “Winery, export, and import, and recently, my father had acquired a shipping line. Why did you ask? As if you don’t already know.”

“I know a lot about your family.” I stuffed my hands in my jeans pockets, hoping she wouldn’t pry further.

“That’s good to know. You wouldn’t be surprised by whatever they’re hiding from me. I bet my father has some nasty business going on.” Despite her family didn’t fill her with the details of their business, she had somehow suspicions that something was going on.

“Do you like the place?”

She smiled and looked at the king-sized bed. “This is lovely.” She turned to face the beach again. “How can I complain? Look at that. I can’t remember the last time I feel the sand against my feet, the taste of the seawater on my tongue, and the sun against my skin.”

“Don’t worry. Now you have the time in the world to do whatever you want.”

“But with your man guarding me everywhere I go.”

“You need protection. It’s part of being married to me. You wouldn’t even notice him unless you go out. He will be your driver. I’m not as terrible as your brother or your father. I have every reason to hire him. Just trust me on this.”

“Can I complain? No. Can I argue? Yes. That’s beyond relief. At least you listened to me without the back of your hand hitting my face.”

I almost flinched with her words. “Now, have a rest. It’s almost sunset. You shouldn’t miss it. I’ll be back.”

“Go ahead. I promise I won’t escape,” she joked. Even if she tried, she couldn’t manage to get away from this island.

I stalked out of the Villa towards the cottage where Devin, my security detail Beck and Linden settled for a few days.

“You won’t show up while she’s here. I don’t want to ruin her mood,” I ordered Devin.

“Yes, sir.”

“Beck, I have a meeting early tomorrow. I only need you to accompany me to the other island.” Beck Corbin was the first bodyguard I hired when I already needed one. He was one of the few people I trusted most with my life and one of my brothers in that unit in the first place. 

“Of course, C.”

“You two take something from the town. I’ll give the receipt to you tomorrow.” I paused before I reached the door. “And Linden, no banging the staff.” I knew he liked to shake his dick whenever there were pussies around. “Keep your junk in your pants the whole time.”

“Got it.” He saluted. “My junk in my pants.”

The two guys shook to laugh.

I went back to the Villa. My wife was already on the deck chair in her floral mini kimono dress. Her hands were behind her head while her feet dipped in the sand.

“How’s the sand?”

“Shush.” She pressed her finger against her lips. “Hear that?”

“Hear what?” I occupied the empty chair beside her.

“Exactly. My most peaceful hour in a long time, and I don’t have to keep vigilant anymore.”

“You didn’t deserve to go through that.”

She turned her head to me. “The sand is so fine, comforting, and warm, and it slips through my toes.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Where’s your dream place to go?”

“Heaven.”

I groaned. “Country or states, Sadie.”

“I always dream of going to Verona, Italy, the beaches. Something like this that I have privacy. Not the public beaches where I can see people making out. I like some serene places and fresh air. Maybe one day, I will climb a mountain or one of the wonders of the world.”

“Glad you like this place.”

“Thank you for bringing me here where your parents spent their honeymoon.”

“It was their last honeymoon.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Her voice laced in deep sorrow. “I hope this is not our last because I definitely won’t say no everywhere you want to drag me into.”

I laughed. “Not our last. I’ll make sure of that. And I will definitely take you with me when I have—”

“Even business trips.”

“Yes.” She couldn’t let the business trip part go.

“But do I get a chance to get out of the hotel rooms?”

“Yes, you can go anywhere you want.”

“Deal.” She extended her hand.

“Deal. With Devin.” I squeezed her hand for a handshake. There it went, this electricity right to my balls. I didn’t let her hand go just yet. “Let’s watch our first sunset together.”

“Our first sunset.”

The sunset is deep in the ocean, creating gold and the boldest red from the horizon. It wasn’t just beautiful, but the start of the new chapter of our lives as husband and wife. I turned my head to see my wife. Her lips bore a smile. She stayed quiet and let go of a deep long sigh. I saw her—the real woman who missed a lot of her life at the hands of her family, but I also saw the hope in her face, in her eyes, in her smile—she was gratified. And that was all that mattered to me.

“Beautiful,” I muttered, even if it was meant for her.

SADIE

I was beyond grateful to him for the way he treated me. I was thinking of not seeing the light again, literally. That was how my brother wanted me to keep in my head, that marrying someone like Cenric was a horror movie come to life. 

I was hoping that this was not just his way to earn my trust, to keep me on his leash so that I would not be a pain in his ass. Or he was just kind without any hidden agenda at all, and he was getting bored with his life as a billionaire bachelor. But he made it clear that he didn’t want to get married. It didn’t make any sense right now, but I would find it out.

Honestly, though, I had nothing left to offer to him. I had nothing.

After our dinner, I took the glass of the finest wine with me to the terrace, facing the beach. As much as I wanted to soak my feet in the sand again, I was exhausted, but I still wanted to relish the luxury and fresh air I could have gotten for tonight.

“I brought the bottle. I thought you might need a refill.”

“Thank you.” I delightfully accepted the bottle from him. “I just don’t want you to think that I’m trying to get myself drunk.”

Cenric sat down beside me with his whiskey. He was still perfect with his dirty white shirt and pants. His hair looked messy, but it added to his perfection. He completely fascinated me.

“I have to go to another island early morning. I won’t take you with me. I don’t want to get you bored to death—”

“You don’t have to explain. I might just sleep the whole morning anyway.” I sipped my wine. My neck started to warm up to my face.

“Don’t sleep the whole morning. I arranged a spa for you.”

“I wouldn’t say no that.” I smiled at him. “I wish Zhuri is here that I can chat with, while we’re on a spa together.”

“Why don’t you call her? I’ll take care of her ticket.”

“Nah. She won’t accept it anyway. You know, she thinks I’m banging a hot crypto-magnet right now.” My face flushed.

“Is that what she calls me?” His eyes narrowed in amusement.

“Kinda.”

“What do you mean kinda?”

I waved my hand off to ignore him from prying. I rose from my seat and emptied my glass. “I think I’m getting drunk, and I might say something that I would regret in the morning.” I walked away from him while he was asking what would that be.

“Not saying anymore, hotshot.”

After I cleaned up in the bathroom, my nerves started to warm up, and so as my body, even if I drank a lot of water and washed my face.

I was a light drinker. After wearing something nice but not too revealing and slutty, I went right to the bed and made sure I gave a distance between us. If he initiated sex, I couldn’t say no. I wouldn’t decline it. He was hot, and I really wanted him, even if this wasn’t the effect of the alcohol I consumed.

I laid down on my side, hoping my nerves would calm down before he joined me, but it never happened.

***

I woke in the middle of the night with a heavy log—a warm log draped around my waist. As much as I wanted to enjoy his warmth against my back, I had to empty my bladder, not so thankful for the water I drank before I went to bed after all. 

I slowly raised his arm around my waist and slipped out of bed. Thankfully, he didn’t even stir.

After peeing, I checked my phone for a message. So far, I only used this number to send messages to Zhuri. 

I received a text from her.

ZHURI: Go, girl. Enjoy your honeymoon, and stop texting me already.

You can fill me in once you’re back.

back.

I typed my reply.

SADIE: I wish you’re here for my spa tomorrow.

She replied. 

ZHURI: Spoiled already by a hot husband.

SADIE: Don’t call him that. Gtg. See you soon. 

I put my phone back on top of the dresser.

Slowly, I slipped back to bed. This time, he stirred.

“Where did you go?” His voice was groggy, yet it sounded sexy, coming from him.

“Bathroom. Sorry to wake you up.”

“I’m a light sleeper. Part of being in a military.” He turned to my side, his hair messy on his forehead, making me itch to run my fingers through and push it back.

“You’re honorably discharged.”

He smiled lazily. “Yeah, after my last tour. I was supposed to go back, but my parents got into a car accident.”

“I’m so sorry.” Every time he mentioned his parents, there were pain and sorrow deep in his dark orbs. I wished I could help them ease away. I held and squeezed his arm. “When I lost my mother, I thought my world turned black. It was painful, and I had no one to open up to with the pain inside me. It was a very difficult time. My father didn’t care. He hated my mother for leaving him. I, for one, couldn’t stomach how my father treated my mother. I just wished I had spent more time with her before she died, but my father didn’t allow me.”

“I’m sure she loved you more than she had shown.”

“I know.”

“Go back to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Sadie.”

I lay on my back. For the first time, I felt like I turn into stone as I stared up the ceiling with a beautiful sculptured wood chandelier. 

“Relax. I can feel you’re uncomfortable.”

“I never spent a night with a man.”

“I’m not just a man. You can trust me with your life. And body.”

I turned my head to look at him. He was in the same position as before, with his arm under the pillow. “I know. I just wondered—”

“What?”

“Even a teeny-tiny bit, did you ever expect more from me than how you saw me the first time?”

“Much more than what I ever imagined. I would be in hell and die unhappy if I didn’t show up yesterday.”

A small smile curved up my lips. “Why didn’t you ever come to see me?”

“I don’t wanna make mistakes. I didn’t wanna get attracted to you and fall in love. I still have a lot of things to figure out for myself. I didn’t know what to do with my life after losing my parents and my brothers. So I spent my time building up my company. Somehow, it paid off. Then I saw you from afar. If you’ll ask me if I made a mistake not seeing you, maybe. Did I have regrets about staying away from you? No. I would still choose the same way I met you.”

“You surprised me. I only saw your pictures from the internet, Zhuri showed me, and they didn’t do justice.”

He smirked. “So, you’re contented, or you like better what you saw on the internet?”

I hit him playfully. “Are you kidding me?” 

He caught my hand, his eyes dancing with humor. “I’m glad I made the right decision of throwing away 25 million dollars, mi Cielo.”

***

The sun shone right into my eyes, forcing me to wake up to an empty bed. After what we shared last night, I started to relax around him. I felt a little bit comfortable even if I still had a lot of things to learn who Cenric Wollf really was. He was still a complicated puzzle to solve—like puzzle pieces of the same color.

I found a note tucked under my phone in a very masculine scribble.

I read and replied to your friend’s text. Check it out. I can’t afford to be late, and I can’t afford to wake you up so beautiful and peaceful. Enjoy your breakfast.

S

CENRIC

She was like an angel and curled like a ball as she slept. She looked like she couldn’t even hurt a fly, but I knew she had a fire deep inside her, and I couldn’t wait to see that come out. I knew she was a strong woman, just like her mother.

As much as I’d love to ogle her, and it was creepy watching someone sleep, I had a business meeting to attend to.

In less than thirty minutes, I arrived at Rios Resort with Beck. I knew where to find my soon-to-be business partner if things went smoothly.

“I’ll be fine. Go and find some bar and get a drink.”

Beck grunted, “You know I’m on the clock, C.”

“This is different, brother. And I can take care of myself.”

He glared at me before he nodded. “Call me—”

“Get the hell out of my sight, and for God’s sake, Beck, loosen up. We’re at the resort.”

I found Jett Grayson drinking Pina Colada with his wife for thirty-five years. I met them at a charity I attended.

Belle saw me first, lifting her sunglasses on top of her head. “What the hell is a newlywed doing here?”

I kissed Belle on the cheek, and she giggled. “Happy anniversary. I wish you both another thirty-five years together.”

“You can’t just kiss my wife and wish for us, and that’s it. I will let you buy thirty percent of my life’s work.”

He shook the hand I offered. “I don’t promise, Jett. And I won’t be here with you on my honeymoon and leave my wife in bed if I don’t see huge potential in your Brewery and Distillery.”

“Damn right, you’re fool enough. When your brother called me, you’d be here to see me, I thought, you don’t give a crap of the woman you just shared your vows to.”

“That’s not true.”

“Lovely ceremony, honey. I’m happy for you,” said Belle, patting my back. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She rose from her seat. “And sweetheart, don’t give this man a hard time. A beautiful wife is waiting for him on that island.”

“Thanks, Belle.” I straightened my seat and placed my bag on the table. I also ordered the same drinks they were drinking. “Sorry to ruin your anniversary, but I wouldn’t be here if this deal doesn’t mean anything to me.”

He studied me from head to toe. “You’ve got billions. Why in the hell are you interested in my business?”

I got that a lot. “I won’t talk shit anymore, Jett. And I won’t sell shit either. This is something personal to me. My parents loved your products. It’s what we had every weekend during barbecues and family gatherings. When I was on tours, my brothers always thought of having breweries and bars on our own. I just lost two of them. I and the other two are still having nightmares from our last tour.” I paused. It was still fresh, and reopening an old wound was not my best suit. That was why I didn’t even see a shrink. I felt like I couldn’t trust any of them. “Well, it didn’t happen.”

“Why the daughter of Hanslo Greer? I heard some shit about that man.”

My jaw clenched. Of course, Hanslo had a rep, and with every day passed by, their secrets started to leak out from their chase. That was why I had to push through the wedding before my plan fell apart.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I played safe. I should, for the sake of my wife.

“I can’t work with someone I don’t trust. As I said earlier, this is my life’s work. I can’t let you taint the clean reputation of my company with your blood money.”

I was on my feet before I even realized it. I knew this would happen sooner or later, but my plan was still in action. I took a deep breath, even if my blood was boiling inside.

“Look, my money is clean. You can check my assets. And as my respect for you, I came to you. I also would do anything to protect and respect my wife. They may have the same blood in their veins, but my wife has nothing to do with whatever shits going on behind their business. But if you will trust me, even if a little about your company, you will know soon enough that the truth shall prevail. And my wife, why I marry her, it’s because she’s the one for me.”

“Sit down.” He gestured to the chair.

“I’ll make sure you won’t regret it.” I offered the contract on the table and placed a pen on top.

“I hope so, son. You know I admire you, and so as my wife. So, don’t make me regret this.” He didn’t even read the contract. He just scribbled his signature then we were official business partners.

“As I said before, I won’t change a thing. Unless you wanted my ideas, but I think what you’ve started is already great.” I held my hand out, and he shook it. “It means a lot to me, Jett.”

“To our future endeavor together.” I sipped my Pina Colada, even if this was the least of my favorite.

***

I couldn’t wait to share the good news with my wife, but she was not in the Villa. I found Devin on the terrace in his pink cocktail.

“Where’s my wife?”

He gestured to the beach. “She let me drink this shit. Can you believe that? I’m a neat whiskey kind of guy.”

“There’s always the first time, Devin. Is she done with the spa?”

“Yeah. She seemed to have fun. Just like they said, she’s flying high since she’s out of that shithole. It’s not my right to say this, but I hope you won’t clip her wings. She has a life ahead of her, and she has a lot of dreams. I don’t have to ask. I can see it in her eyes.”

My eyes narrowed into hostile slits as I watched him saying those things to me as if I didn’t already know. “And you just noticed it right now? If I’m a jealous man, I might think you have a thing for my wife?”

He looked taken aback. His skin blanched. “No, no, no. You got it wrong, Mr. Wollf.”

“Really? Tell me, Devin. Did her brother ask you to spy on her?”

“Jasper Greer is an asshole. That son of bitch deserves to be locked up for hitting his sister. I know I should have minded my own business, but I watched how he treated Sadie—Mrs. Wollf every day, and it was hard to stomach. I would have resigned a long time ago if I didn’t care about your wife. But you know, I didn’t finish college. There’s no more job left for someone like me.” The tone of his voice changed. He must have genuinely cared about Sadie. “My father was just like her’s. That guy was a total jackass. He also used to beat my sister and me. Then Jasper found me in an underground fight club. I’m thankful for taking me in, but he disgusted me for how badly he treated that poor woman.” He pursed his lips into a thin line. 

Realization and guilt cut through me like a knife. 

I should have done something. Sadie must be so terrified alone. 

As he mentioned what Sadie had been through at the hands of her own family, I had to look away. Regret swept through me like a strong gust of winter wind, freezing my entire body until I shivered.

Silent stretched between us, and I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do.

“Sir, I should check on her. She’s been in the water for long.”

“I’ll do it.” I grabbed the robe draped on the armchair. “Take a break. Go with them. I got it from here.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Once he was gone, I didn’t realize I was shaking. My hands trembled as I looked down at the fabric in my hand. I was beyond pissed off, and I would make sure they would pay for what they did to Sadie.

I walked down to the beach, and she was just emerging from the water in her yellow two-piece suit, displaying her long and shapely legs. She just took my breath away. I could now see the abs she was proud of. And damn, she was fucking hot. Drop-dead gorgeous. Those words wouldn’t even serve.

“Hey, handsome in a suit.” Her smile alone was breathtaking. Everything about her.

Fuck.

I clamped my mouth shut and offered her the robe. As much as I wanted to gawk at her, I was already busted and looked like an idiot for having a hard-on in front of my wife.

“Damn that abs.” 

She laughed as she slipped her hands into the sleeves. Before I could grasp it, I had already wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her into a hug. What had just happened? Damn it, Sadie.

“You okay?” she even asked.

“Never been better.”