Chapter 7 I will marry you!
Dahlia.
" You can escape while you still have a chance." He offered, his voice laced with a warning, but also fire.
" While you are still intact. " He added, his thumb gently caressing my face, and my skin went hot from the contact.
" Because if you don't leave now, you won't have a chance to, in the future. " The warning behind his voice was hardly concealed, and instead of getting scared, dopamine shot through me in waves, and I felt emboldened.
"Worst-case scenario?" I asked, my eyes holding his, the challenge in my voice unmistakable, and I had to admit, my own actions also caught me by surprise. I was supposed to be grieving, right? After Jason's betrayal, wasn't my body supposed to be numb with pain? To the point of being unfeeling? And yet, here I was, subtly flirting with my soon-to-be husband, a side of me that I didn't even know I possessed. And what more? I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
"Worse? I will put the ring on your finger, make you mine, and ruin you..." He paused, his eyes burning with intensity, his words laced with danger and lust, and I had to admit, a dark and twisted part of me craved everything that he was warning me about, even the danger.
" Then I can't wait for you to ruin me, Sir Dalton Riggs. " I threw right back, gently placing my hand on his chest and his jaws clenched, with his eyes darkening with desire.
"You don't know what you are asking for, princess. " This time, the earlier warmth evaporated from his voice, replaced by chill and seriousness.
" Being my wife comes with dangers. My world is extremely dark, coloured by blood, decorated with dead bodies, and cries interluding in the background, all presented with honour and prestige. "
" My world is not for the weak. You could end up losing yourself. Not everyone becomes Mrs Riggs. " He warned, this time, softly, like he was trying to reason with me, trying to make me change my mind for the last time before it was too late, and yet, instead of being scared, a daring spirit rose within me and a rare streak of stubbornness glazed my eyes as I held his.
" Then maybe it's time for a change, Dalton. My life has been quite boring, after all, and yours seems exciting enough. I can use some real stimulation. " I expressed, my voice filled with excitement and resolve in equal measures.
" Also, maybe Dahlia Brooks is not suitable to be your wife," I remarked, a small smirk tagging at the corners of my lips, and I watched with amusement as his face went several shades darker with what looked like confusion and surprise.
"But, have you heard of Dahlia Banks?" I asked, a mischievous smile playing on my lips, and although he wore an expressionless face, I could see the streaks of amusement that danced in his eyes.
" Dahlia Banks is perfectly tailored for your world, Sir Dalton. The Banks aren't some little saints, either. And Princess Dahlia? She knows how to play with toys." I explained, casually, and I swear, something darker, clouded his eyes as he listened to me.
He looked like he wanted to wrap his hand around my neck, and a foreign sensation washed over me as I dreamily locked my gaze with his.
From his subtle description of his world, I could already tell that Dalton was involved with the underworld, maybe, a mafia Don in Citydalle. And the fact that he was warning me before I became a part of his life said a lot about his character.
Yes, to the public, Dalton was a genius, business mogul, and the youngest CEO in the country, and yet, behind that perfect persona lay another identity, a mafia Lord's identity, cold and ruthless, killing without mercy, a world filled with danger and guns.
Maybe, that girl, Dahlia Brooks, the sheltered girl who only had her world woven around Jason would have been scared, chickened out at the mention of Dalton's world. But Dahlia Banks? I was excited.
Maybe, after so many years, existing only as Jason's shadow, I could finally live. Maybe the betrayal wasn't as bad as I thought, I could finally start living, not just tailoring my life to fit Jason's.
' Do more feminine things, Dahlia. Don't be unruly. The Riggs like their women soft and domesticated. ' I had wanted to try shooting in the range, and yet, Jason couldn't let me.
The Riggs? What a joke! He wasn't even recognised by the main branch of the Riggs and he had the guts to act like a supergod.
' So, how do the real Riggs love their Mistresses? soft flowers or," I paused, a gentle smile touching my lips.
" Or Wild and unruly?" I asked, my intense gaze locked into his.
" I don't care what anyone else likes. But I love mine Wild and unruly. " He asserted, his voice husky and deep, and my knees almost weakened. It was more like he was describing me, and I loved it.
" Well, we are done talking here, Sir Dalton. Your wife I shall be, in a week." I concluded, foreign excitement rolling with my tongue.
It was like I could finally breathe, like I had just started living after years of confinement.
Some betrayals weren't meant to break you, and I could confidently say that Jason's betrayal wasn't the worst thing that happened to me. It was the best, actually.
Finally, I could get to do things that I had always wanted to do.
After spending years, breaking my wings, not following my real passion and dreams, because I wanted to please Jason, I was finally free. And honestly, I loved the taste of freedom.
" You have said it, Princess. Once you become mine, there is no turning back." His words were coated by a layer of possessiveness, and for the first time, I actually felt like a person genuinely wanted to be with me.
" And," He added as he gently caressed my swollen eyes, a cold glint cropping his eyes.
" This is the last time you are crying for another man." He warned, his words filled with a chill, and the air around us went still as his other hand found my neck.
" I am the only person who is allowed to make you cry, " He whispered, his hot breath fanning my cheeks and my body throbbed in ways I was too ashamed to admit.
"You are only allowed to cry in my bed." He muttered under his breath, and I drew in a sharp breath of air.
Goodness gracious! I was about to lose it. He was hot, powerful, handsome in all angles, and probably, nasty in bed. After years of acting saint for the fake branch of Riggs, I guess it was time I really shed my furs for the real heir.
" You have my promise. Since you are now my fiancée, I intend to be loyal to you." I expressed, with no ripples of doubt accompanying my words.
" Good, because I hate disloyalty. " He dragged, a cold smile tagging at the corners of his lips.
" In my world, such traitorous actions are punished by death." His movements were fluid, his tone casual as he stated, like he was not talking about a person's life and instead of being scared, I felt excited, a soft smile dangling at the corners of my lips as I calmly met his eyes.
I guess I didn't even know myself as I thought I did.
" And if you ever want your ex punished for his betrayal, just say the word." His eyes held mine as he offered, his gaze so intense that for no reason, it made me uncomfortable.
"Thank you for the offer, but I don't need you to punish him." I asserted, my eyes strained faraway.
" You are still in love with him." It was not a question. It was a statement, one coated by a layer of jealousy.
So, the famous Dalton could also get jealous? And he wasn't even trying to hide it. His possessiveness was on another level, and instead of disliking it, I actually loved it.
" Love? You are mistaken, Sir Dalton. No love can exist with hate. And now? I only have hatred for him."
" I will punish him, but on my own terms," I vowed, a cold glint glazing my eyes. Just the thought of Jason and his betrayal had my blood running cold.
" And the first punishment?" I asked, a sardonic smile dancing at the corners of my lips.
" I will become his Aunt." Mischief danced in my eyes as I informed, and he nodded, clearly, pleased by my strategy.
"Great. I will gladly marry you then, Dahlia Banks."