Chapter 3 – First Night, Silent War

The bedroom was vast—larger than Elaine’s entire apartment back in the city. The walls were draped with velvet curtains, the bed a massive king-sized frame carved from dark mahogany. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace, but its warmth didn’t touch the chill that settled in Elaine’s chest.

She stood near the window, arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring at the moonlit garden below. Behind her, she could feel Drake’s presence like a shadow made of steel. He had removed his suit jacket, loosening the top buttons of his shirt, his movements precise, calculated. Even undressing, he carried himself with the calm authority of a man who had nothing to fear.

Elaine refused to turn. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her shaken.

“Are you planning to stand there all night?” Drake’s voice was smooth, unhurried, but it filled the room like thunder.

Her fingers dug into her arms. “Are you planning to act like this is normal? That we’re husband and wife? Because let me remind you—I didn’t choose this.”

Drake crossed the room, his footsteps steady against the polished floor. She felt him stop behind her, too close, the heat of his body burning through the silk of her gown.

“You think I chose it either?” he said softly, almost too quietly. “This isn’t about choices. It’s about survival.”

Elaine spun around, her dark eyes flashing. “Survival? My father’s mistakes are not mine to pay for. You had no right—”

Drake’s hand shot out, gripping the window frame beside her head, caging her without touching her. His face hovered inches from hers, his storm-gray eyes narrowing.

“I had every right,” he said, his voice a low growl. “When men owe me, they pay. And when lives are at stake, I decide who survives.”

Her breath caught, but she forced herself not to flinch. “So I’m your payment? Your trophy? Your… property?”

Something flickered in his gaze. Anger, yes—but also something else, something she couldn’t name. He leaned closer, his lips brushing dangerously near her ear. “You’re not property, Elaine. You’re leverage. And in this world, leverage keeps people alive.”

Her knees weakened, though she masked it with fury. “You’re a monster.”

Drake stepped back, his expression unreadable, his jaw tight. For a heartbeat, she thought she saw regret in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. He removed his watch and set it on the dresser with methodical calm.

“You’ll sleep in the bed,” he said evenly. “I’ll take the couch.”

The unexpected words caught her off guard. “What?”

He didn’t look at her as he loosened his cuffs. “I don’t force what isn’t given willingly.”

Elaine blinked. For a moment, her heart stuttered in confusion. She had expected dominance, cruelty, even violation. But instead, he had drawn a line, one she hadn’t anticipated.

Still, she refused to let him see her gratitude. “How noble of you,” she muttered bitterly, turning back toward the window.

Drake’s lips curved faintly, but not with amusement—it was the ghost of something darker. “Don’t mistake restraint for kindness, Elaine. I’m not a good man. I never claimed to be.”

Hours passed in silence. Drake sat on the couch, his long frame stretched out, but Elaine could tell he wasn’t asleep. His breathing was too steady, too controlled. He was watching, always watching, like a predator resting but never at ease.

Elaine lay on the far edge of the bed, the weight of the silk blankets pressing down on her. Sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind spun with questions, with fury, with fear. She thought of her father—safe for now, but at what cost? She thought of Drake, this cold, terrifying man who had become her husband in name but remained a stranger in every other way.

And she thought of herself. Who was she now? A bride? A prisoner? Or something in between?

She rolled over, unable to bear the silence. “Why me?” she whispered into the dark.

For a moment, she thought he hadn’t heard. But then his voice came, low and steady. “Because your father owes me. Because you’re stronger than you think. And because…” He paused, and she could almost feel the weight of the words he chose not to say. “…because I needed someone who wouldn’t break easily.”

Elaine’s throat tightened. She hated him, yet his words cut deeper than she expected. Did he see her as strong? Or just another pawn in his empire?

She pulled the blanket tighter around her. “I won’t break for you, Drake. Not now, not ever.”

Silence stretched between them again. Then, to her shock, his quiet reply came: “Good. I don’t want you to.”

Her chest ached with confusion. She wanted to despise him, to reject every word, every look, every breath he took. Yet, as she lay in the dark, she couldn’t silence the strange truth forming deep inside her: Drake Alfie was dangerous, ruthless, and utterly untouchable. But for reasons she couldn’t explain, she wanted to understand him.

And that realization terrified her more than anything.

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