Ronan
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The night had been a whirlwind of precision and control, but as I leaned against the stone balustrade of the terrace, watching Amara pace under the golden glow of the moon, I couldn't help but wonder if this particular gamble was worth the cost.
Marry me. Tonight.
Her words had been laced with desperation, the kind of vulnerability that could crumble kingdoms if placed in the wrong hands. And yet, it wasn't her plea that intrigued me— it was her fire. Beneath the facade of composure, she was barely holding herself together, a storm threatening to unravel her at any moment. And still, she stood tall, defiant. Bold.
She intrigued me. That much, I could admit. But intrigue was a dangerous indulgence, one I couldn't afford in a game like this.
"You left in a hurry," I remarked, stepping onto the terrace. My voice cut through the silence, startling her. She turned sharply, her wide eyes catching the light. For a moment, she looked like prey—cornered, breathless—but then her chin lifted, her defiance snapping back into place.
Good. I didn't have time for someone who couldn't hold their own.
"I didn't think the details of my proposal were appropriate for the ears of half the city's elite," she said, her voice sharp, but I caught the faint tremor beneath it.
I let a smirk curl my lips, stepping closer. "A wise decision. Though you're assuming I've agreed."
Her confidence faltered, just for a heartbeat, and I savoured it. "Haven't you?" she asked, the challenge in her voice a fragile thing, like glass daring to break.
I studied her, leaning against the railing as the weight of her proposition settled between us. This wasn't a deal to be made lightly—not for her, and certainly not for me.
"What's in it for me?" I asked, my voice a low drawl, though my mind was already calculating the angles.
Her hands clenched at her sides, frustration sparking in her eyes. "What do you want? Money? A foothold in the Kingsley empire? Say the word, and I'll make it happen."
I chuckled, the sound low and dark. "Tempting, but no. If I wanted your family's empire, I'd have taken it already."
Her lips parted, the faintest gasp escaping her before she bit it back. I let the silence hang heavy between us, watching as realisation dawned in her eyes. She didn't know me—didn't know the lengths I'd go to win—but she was beginning to understand.
"Then what?" she pressed, her voice rising with frustration. "Why even entertain the idea?"
I tilted my head, letting my gaze soften just enough to unsettle her. "Because you intrigue me, Amara. I can't decide if you're brave or foolish. Either way, you're desperate enough to come to me, and that's worth something."
Her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, and I had to fight the urge to laugh. She was like a spark ready to ignite, all fire and fury, and it was damn near captivating.
"I'm not desperate," she snapped, but her voice wavered.
"You are," I said quietly, stepping closer. "And that's why this will work."
She blinked, caught off guard, and for a moment, I saw the crack in her armour. It was small, fleeting, but it was there. Vulnerability.
"I'll marry you," I said, my voice firm, though the decision was anything but simple. "Tonight."
Relief flashed across her face, but it was short-lived. "On one condition," I added, letting the edge of danger creep into my tone. "This isn't just a deal, Amara. It's a partnership. That means no secrets, no lies. If I'm going to play your husband, I need to know everything about you. Everything."
Her eyes widened, panic flickering in their depths, and I almost felt guilty. Almost. But guilt was a weakness I couldn't afford, not in this game.
"Fine," she said after a long pause, her voice heavy with resignation. "No secrets."
I smiled then, satisfaction curling in my chest. "Good. Then let's seal the deal."
Before she could react, I reached for her hand, raising it to my lips. Her skin was warm, her pulse fluttering beneath my touch. The kiss was calculated, deliberate, and I felt the faint tremor in her fingers as I released her.
"To the beginning of something… unforgettable," I murmured, stepping back just enough to watch her cheeks flush.
"Let's just get this over with," she said, her voice shaky but determined.
I chuckled, the sound low and rich. "As you wish, Mrs. Blackwood."
•••
By the time the ceremony began, the weight of the decision was heavy on my shoulders. I kept my expression calm, controlled, but beneath the surface, my mind was a whirlwind of calculations. This marriage wasn't just a deal—it was a move on a chessboard where every piece mattered.
As I slipped the ring onto her finger, I caught the tremble in her hands. She was trying so hard to appear strong, but I could see through the cracks. She was scared, uncertain, and it only made her fire burn brighter.
When the officiant declared us husband and wife, I didn't hesitate. I stepped forward, cupping the small of her back as I claimed her lips. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a message. To her, to the witnesses, to anyone who dared to stand in my way. Amara Kingsley was mine now, and no one touched what was mine.
As we pulled apart, her wide eyes met mine, a mix of defiance and something else—something that sent a thrill through me. Fear? Desire? I wasn't sure, but I intended to find out.
"Welcome to the rest of your life, Mrs. Blackwood," I said softly, the words carrying more weight than she realised.
•••
That night, as I sat in my study, the city lights sprawling before me, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just lit the match to a fire I wasn't sure I could control. Amara Kingsley was more than just a pawn in this game—she was a wildcard. And wildcards were dangerous.
But I'd always been a gambler.
And this was a game I couldn't afford to lose.
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