Chapter 2

The courthouse doors opened slowly.

Rain had finally stopped.

The gray skies above Manhattan softened slightly as the city buzzed beneath them, unaware that one of the most powerful family arrangements in the country had just changed forever inside that small building.

Eloray stepped outside first carefully, one hand resting under her pregnant stomach while the cool breeze brushed against her skin.

For a moment…

She just stood there.

Married.

Actually married.

Not to Jason.

Not to the man she spent years forcing herself to tolerate for the sake of everybody else.

But to Montavius Devereux.

The terrifying Mafia king standing directly beside her.

The same man quietly watching her now like he was making sure she didn’t emotionally collapse at any second.

The courthouse workers inside still stared through the glass doors in disbelief.

A few reporters had already started gathering farther down the sidewalk after hearing rumors.

Camera flashes immediately started going off again.

“MONTAVIUS!”

“ELORAY!”

“ARE YOU OFFICIALLY MARRIED?!”

“WHAT ABOUT JASON?!”

Montavius ignored every single question.

His hand rested lightly against Eloray’s lower back while security moved around them quickly.

Then suddenly—

BZZZT.

Both of their phones vibrated at the same time.

Eloray frowned slightly and pulled her phone from her purse.

A message notification filled the screen.

Devereux Family Group Chat.

Her stomach instantly tightened.

She opened it carefully.

And immediately wished she hadn’t.

An enormous digital invitation glittered across the screen obnoxiously.

Gold animation.

White roses.

Diamonds sparkling in the background.

It practically screamed money and desperation.

Jason Devereux & Laraine Brown

Invite You To Celebrate Their Love & Union

Eloray stared blankly at it.

Then slowly scrolled downward.

The wedding date?

Three days from now.

Clarisse immediately started typing in the group chat.

Clarisse Brown:

ARE Y’ALL FUCKING SERIOUS?!

Alessia Devereux:

This tacky ass invitation just gave me a headache.

Terrence Brown:

I KNOW THIS AIN’T REAL.

Laraine:

Stay mad ♡

Vincent Devereux:

Somebody remove her from this damn chat before I do it myself.

Eloray blinked once.

Twice.

Then calmly locked her phone.

And slid it back into her purse.

Montavius noticed immediately.

“You okay?”

Eloray exhaled slowly.

“Honestly?”

She looked forward toward the city.

“I don’t even feel angry anymore.”

That surprised him slightly.

She gave a weak little shrug.

“I cried enough already.”

Her voice sounded quieter now.

Drained.

“But I’m tired of letting them ruin every moment of my life.”

Montavius stared at her for a moment.

Then nodded once.

“Good.”

A black luxury SUV finally pulled up in front of them.

Security quickly opened the back door.

Montavius guided Eloray inside carefully, one large hand shielding the top of the doorway so she wouldn’t hit her head.

The interior was warm and quiet compared to the chaos outside.

The second the doors shut, silence settled around them.

Eloray leaned back slowly into the leather seat.

Then suddenly laughed softly.

Montavius looked over immediately.

“What?”

She shook her head.

“This whole situation is insane.”

That almost made him smile again.

Almost.

The vehicle started moving through the city streets.

Eloray glanced out the tinted windows watching buildings pass by quietly.

Then Montavius spoke again.

“I scheduled something.”

She looked back toward him.

“What kind of something?”

“A photoshoot.”

She blinked.

“…A what?”

His expression remained calm.

“The same day Jason and Laraine are taking their wedding photos.”

Eloray stared at him.

Then suddenly—

A laugh escaped her.

A real laugh this time.

Small.

Soft.

But genuine.

Montavius looked almost satisfied hearing it.

“You’re petty,” she mumbled.

“I’m strategic.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“No,” he replied calmly. “Petty is emotional. Strategy lasts longer.”

Eloray covered part of her smile with her hand.

“Oh my God…”

Montavius leaned back slightly in the seat.

“They want attention?”

His voice lowered.

“Fine.”

Eloray’s brows lifted slightly.

“We’ll give them competition.”

Something dangerous flickered behind his calm eyes.

“The entire city spent days talking about how Jason embarrassed you.”

He looked directly at her now.

“I’m going to make sure the next thing they talk about is how beautiful you looked standing beside me.”

Eloray’s breath caught slightly.

The SUV grew quiet again.

Because nobody had ever spoken about her like that before.

Not Jason.

Not her family.

Nobody.

She looked down toward her stomach slowly.

“…You really don’t care?”

Montavius frowned slightly.

“About what?”

“The baby.”

The words came out softer this time.

More vulnerable.

The SUV slowed at a red light while rainwater slid across the windows.

Montavius looked at her carefully before answering.

“Eloray.”

His voice was steady.

“That child is part of you.”

Her throat tightened.

“And right now?”

He leaned slightly closer.

“That’s enough for me.”

Silence filled the vehicle again.

But this silence felt different.

Safer.

Warmer.

Eloray looked away quickly before he could notice her eyes watering again.

Outside, New York rushed around them loudly.

But inside the SUV…

For the first time in a very long time…

Eloray finally felt like she could breathe.

And meanwhile, across the city—

Inside another penthouse—

Jason Devereux stared at social media in complete disbelief.

Because the courthouse marriage photo of Montavius and Eloray had already leaked online.

And people were calling them beautiful together

The entire photography estate had been rented out for the day.

Of course it had.

Nothing involving the Devereux family was ever small.

The property sat just outside Manhattan on a private cliffside overlooking the ocean, with massive gardens, marble fountains, glass hallways, and scenic photography locations built specifically for celebrity weddings and luxury magazine shoots.

Normally, the place felt peaceful.

Today?

It felt like war dressed in designer clothing.

Luxury vehicles lined the entrance.

Security guards stood everywhere.

Photographers rushed around with equipment.

Stylists screamed about lighting.

And somehow…

Both couples had ended up scheduled at the same damn location.

On purpose.

Because Montavius absolutely did that shit intentionally.

Inside the grand indoor ballroom area, Jason and Laraine were already taking photos.

And honestly?

The entire thing looked exhausting.

Laraine wore an over-the-top crystal wedding gown with a ridiculously long veil dragging behind her dramatically while she posed like she was filming a soap opera.

Jason looked irritated already.

The photographer tried desperately to guide them.

“Okay… Jason put your hand on her waist—”

Jason did it halfheartedly.

Laraine immediately frowned.

“Can you at least ACT like you love me?”

Jason sighed loudly.

“I’m standing here aren’t I?”

Laraine’s eye twitched.

“Jason—”

“Baby, please not right now.”

“Oh my GOD don’t ‘baby’ me with that attitude!”

The photographers awkwardly looked at each other.

Meanwhile, across the property outside near the gardens…

Everything felt completely different.

Soft wind moved through the flowers gently while ocean waves crashed quietly below the cliffs.

Eloray stood near one of the marble pathways glowing beneath the sunlight.

And honestly?

She looked unreal.

Her bubble ponytails flowed beautifully down her back and shoulders, decorated softly with gold accessories and tiny pearl details woven through the curls.

Instead of a gown, she wore an elegant cream-colored two-piece maternity outfit.

The flowing skirt hugged beneath her stomach beautifully while the top wrapped gently around her chest, leaving the full curve of her huge pregnant belly exposed.

Gold jewelry rested against her glowing skin.

Soft makeup highlighted her eyes naturally.

And for once…

She actually looked relaxed.

The photographer nearly lost her damn mind the second she saw them together.

“Oh my God…”

Even the assistants started whispering.

“They look insane together…”

“No seriously LOOK at them—”

Because Montavius beside her looked equally breathtaking.

Massive.

Dark-skinned.

Long dreadlocks hanging behind a tailored black outfit with gold accents.

His tattoos slightly visible beneath rolled sleeves.

And unlike Jason?

Montavius couldn’t stop touching her.

One hand constantly rested against her waist.

Her lower back.

Her stomach.

Like he physically needed contact with her at all times.

Eloray looked up at him softly.

“You planned this.”

Montavius looked down calmly.

“Yes.”

She tried not to smile.

“You’re messy.”

“I’m efficient.”

“That’s not better.”

“It is to me.”

The photographer clutched her chest dramatically.

“Oh my GOD please stay exactly like that!”

Eloray laughed softly.

And the entire photography crew immediately melted.

Because apparently quiet Eloray smiling was a rare event.

“Okay,” the photographer said excitedly. “Montavius, kneel down in front of her.”

Without hesitation, Montavius lowered himself carefully onto one knee in front of Eloray.

The massive Mafia king looked terrifying almost everywhere else in life.

But here?

Kneeling in front of her with one arm wrapped protectively around her stomach?

He looked devoted.

Dangerously devoted.

Eloray looked down at him quietly while soft wind moved through her hair.

The photographer nearly screamed.

“YES! THAT!”

Montavius rested the side of his face gently against her belly.

One large hand spread across the curve protectively.

The other rubbed slow comforting circles beneath her stomach instinctively.

Eloray’s expression softened immediately.

Then suddenly—

The baby kicked.

Hard.

Montavius paused.

Then slowly looked upward toward her.

Eloray laughed softly.

“He’s active today.”

Montavius looked back toward her stomach again.

Then kissed it.

Directly in front of everybody.

The entire photography team lost their minds.

“Oh MY GOD!”

“THAT WAS SO CUTE!”

“KEEP SHOOTING!”

Cameras flashed rapidly.

Eloray looked genuinely shocked for a second before emotional warmth spread across her face.

Meanwhile…

Inside the ballroom—

Laraine noticed the screaming from outside.

“What the hell is going on out there?”

One assistant accidentally answered too honestly.

“Uh… Montavius and Eloray’s photoshoot…”

Laraine’s face darkened immediately.

Jason looked up from his phone slowly.

The assistant swallowed hard.

“They’re… kinda going viral already.”

Laraine snatched the tablet from nearby staff aggressively.

And immediately saw the live uploaded preview photos.

Montavius kneeling.

Holding Eloray’s stomach.

Looking at her like she hung the damn moon.

The comments beneath the leaked photos moved rapidly.

THEY LOOK SO MUCH BETTER TOGETHER.

THAT MAN LOOKS OBSESSED WITH HER.

THIS IS THE REAL POWER COUPLE.

HE LOOKS LIKE HE’D KILL SOMEBODY FOR HER.

WAIT WHY DO THEY ACTUALLY LOOK IN LOVE?!

Laraine nearly cracked the tablet in half.

“Oh this bitch—”

Jason stared at the photos silently.

And something ugly twisted inside his chest.

Because he recognized that expression on Montavius’ face.

Protectiveness.

Real protectiveness.

The kind Jason himself never gave Eloray.

Outside, Eloray sat carefully on a decorative blanket setup beneath a massive tree while Montavius sat behind her.

His legs spread around her protectively.

One arm draped across her stomach.

The other rested against her shoulder while she leaned naturally back into his chest.

The photographer nearly cried.

“This is disgusting,” she whispered emotionally. “I love rich people.”

Eloray burst into soft laughter again.

Montavius looked down at her immediately at the sound.

The photographer caught the exact moment his expression softened.

Click.

Another perfect picture.

Then another.

Then another.

And for the first time in years…

Eloray no longer felt like somebody waiting to be abandoned.

She looked loved.

By the time evening arrived, everybody was already irritated.

The photoshoot had gone viral across every major social platform in less than four hours.

The internet had completely picked sides.

And unfortunately for Jason and Laraine…

The public adored Montavius and Eloray together.

Everywhere people reposted the same pictures:

Montavius kneeling in front of Eloray.

Holding her stomach.

Kissing her belly.

Looking at her like she was precious.

Comments flooded endlessly.

THIS MAN IS DOWN BAD.

THE WAY HE LOOKS AT HER???

JASON FUMBLED BAD.

ELORAY UPGRADED SO HARD.

THAT BABY GONNA THINK MONTAVIUS IS THE FATHER.

The last comment especially made Jason nearly throw his damn phone across the penthouse.

So naturally…

The family dinner that evening was already doomed before it even started.

The Devereux family rented out an entire luxury rooftop restaurant overlooking Manhattan for the occasion. Gold candlelight flickered across massive windows while live violin music played softly in the background.

It should’ve been elegant.

Instead?

It sounded like a damn WWE reunion.

“YOU DID THAT PHOTOSHOOT ON PURPOSE!”

Laraine slammed her fork down dramatically.

Montavius didn’t even look up from helping Eloray cut her steak.

“Yes.”

The calm answer made Laraine even angrier.

“You’ve been trying to embarrass us all day!”

Jason scoffed loudly from across the table.

“You really posting belly kissing pictures online now?”

Montavius finally glanced upward slowly.

“Jealous?”

Jason’s jaw tightened instantly.

“Watch your fucking mouth.”

Terrence muttered under his breath.

“Oh here we go…”

Clarisse drank wine aggressively.

Alessia rubbed her temples.

“This dinner was a mistake.”

“No,” Vincent replied coldly. “Raising Jason without discipline was the mistake.”

Jason immediately snapped.

“Oh my GOD can everybody stop acting like I murdered somebody?!”

“You publicly humiliated your pregnant fiancée!” Clarisse yelled.

“And slept with her sister!” Alessia added.

Laraine threw her hands upward dramatically.

“Y’all keep acting like he kidnapped me! I wanted him too!”

“WE KNOW!” Terrence shouted. “THAT’S THE FUCKING PROBLEM!”

The entire restaurant staff avoided eye contact.

Nearby diners pretended not to stare while secretly recording everything under the tables.

Meanwhile…

Eloray sat quietly beside Montavius trying not to mentally disappear.

She hated yelling.

Always had.

Her shoulders slowly tensed tighter the louder everybody got.

Montavius noticed immediately.

Of course he did.

Without saying anything, he shifted closer beside her in the booth and wrapped one large arm around her shoulders protectively.

Instantly grounding her.

His hand rubbed slowly against her upper arm.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

Eloray nodded softly.

“Mhm.”

Liar.

Her stomach felt strange.

Not painful exactly.

Just… tight.

A weird pressure low in her belly.

She adjusted slightly in the booth.

Montavius’ eyes immediately dropped toward her stomach.

“You uncomfortable?”

“A little.”

Before he could ask more—

Laraine slammed her glass down loudly.

“Oh PLEASE tell me y’all aren’t gonna act like some perfect little love story now!”

Montavius looked up slowly.

His expression turned cold instantly.

“We’re married,” he replied simply. “What exactly do you expect us to act like?”

Laraine looked ready to scream.

Jason suddenly laughed bitterly.

“This whole thing fake as hell anyway.”

That finally made Eloray speak.

Quietly.

“No.”

The table went silent.

Even Jason looked surprised.

Eloray slowly lifted her eyes toward him.

“What we had was fake.”

Jason’s expression shifted immediately.

Because there was no anger in her voice anymore.

Just honesty.

And somehow…

That hurt worse.

“You didn’t love me,” she continued softly. “You loved that I stayed quiet.”

Jason opened his mouth slightly.

Then closed it again.

Because deep down?

He knew she was right.

Montavius looked at her carefully beside him.

The subtle tension in her face hadn’t disappeared.

Actually…

It looked worse now.

His hand moved lower against her back instinctively.

“Eloray.”

She inhaled sharply suddenly.

Very small.

But enough for him to notice.

His eyes narrowed immediately.

“What?”

She frowned slightly.

“…Nothing.”

Another tightening spread through her stomach.

This one stronger.

Her hand instinctively grabbed beneath her belly.

Montavius straightened immediately.

“Eloray.”

Now everybody at the table noticed.

Clarisse leaned forward nervously.

“What’s wrong baby?”

Eloray tried to breathe through it.

“I don’t know…”

The pressure tightened again.

A subtle cramp rolled through her lower stomach.

Montavius was already moving before anyone else reacted.

He slid out of the booth immediately.

“We’re leaving.”

Jason stood abruptly.

“What happened?!”

Montavius ignored him completely.

“Eloray look at me.”

She looked up breathing shakily now.

“My stomach feels weird…”

That was enough.

Without another word, Montavius bent down and lifted her directly into his arms.

The entire restaurant froze.

Even the violin player stopped.

“Eloray!” Clarisse panicked.

Montavius already carried her toward the exit quickly.

“Call the doctor,” he ordered coldly.

Security immediately scrambled.

Jason hurried after them.

“What’s wrong with the baby?!”

Montavius turned so sharply Jason stopped walking instantly.

“Back the fuck up.”

Jason looked stunned.

“I’m just trying to help—”

“I said BACK. UP.”

His voice boomed through the restaurant hard enough to make nearby tables jump.

Eloray clung weakly to Montavius’ shirt while another tight sensation rolled through her stomach.

Fear finally started creeping into her chest.

“What if something’s wrong…”

Montavius looked down at her immediately.

“Nothing’s gonna happen to you.”

His voice sounded terrifyingly calm now.

The dangerous kind of calm.

The SUV doors flew open outside.

Rain had started pouring again.

Montavius climbed inside holding Eloray securely against his chest while security sped them toward the hospital.

Jason stood outside the restaurant completely frozen while the convoy disappeared into the city traffic.

And for the first time since the scandal began…

He realized something horrifying.

The second Eloray was in danger…

Montavius didn’t care about the families.

The businesses.

The scandal.

None of it.

He only cared about her.

The luxury maternity floor of Eastside Pavilion Hospital was glowing softly beneath dim golden lights by the time the Devereux convoy arrived.

Outside, rain hammered against the massive glass windows overlooking Manhattan.

Inside?

Everything smelled like expensive disinfectant, flowers, and panic.

Doctors and nurses hurried down the hallways the second security announced who had arrived.

Because when the Devereux family showed up somewhere unexpectedly…

People moved fast.

Montavius carried Eloray straight through the private entrance without letting her touch the floor once.

Not once.

His massive arms stayed locked around her like he physically refused to let go.

“Eloray, can you tell me exactly what you felt?” one doctor asked carefully while walking beside them.

“Tightening…” she whispered weakly. “Pressure…”

“How far apart?”

“I-I don’t know…”

Montavius looked furious already.

At himself.

At the situation.

At stress.

At everybody who upset her.

The nurses quickly got Eloray into one of the luxury birthing suites—a massive private room that looked more like an expensive hotel than a hospital.

Warm lighting.

Cream-colored furniture.

Large television.

Private bathroom.

Huge windows overlooking the city.

Within minutes, Eloray was changed into a beautiful soft cream nightgown provided by the maternity ward, the silky fabric draping gently over her body and large stomach.

She looked exhausted laying back against the pillows.

The monitor straps wrapped around her belly carefully while machines tracked the baby’s heartbeat.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Whoosh-whoosh.

The steady sound filled the room softly.

Montavius sat directly beside her on the edge of the bed.

Still holding her hand.

Still watching her like she might disappear.

The doctor finished checking the monitor before finally smiling.

“Well…”

Everybody tensed.

The doctor chuckled softly.

“Everything looks completely healthy.”

Eloray blinked.

“…What?”

The older female doctor smiled reassuringly.

“You experienced practice labor contractions.”

Clarisse nearly collapsed into a chair dramatically.

“Oh THANK YOU JESUS.”

Terrence wiped his forehead aggressively.

“Lord have mercy…”

Montavius didn’t relax immediately though.

His jaw stayed tight.

“What caused it?”

The doctor glanced carefully toward him.

“Stress most likely.”

The room got quiet.

Because everybody already knew exactly where that stress came from.

The doctor continued gently.

“With everything she’s gone through recently, her body is reacting emotionally.”

Eloray looked embarrassed immediately.

“I’m sorry…”

Montavius frowned instantly.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Her fingers tightened around the blanket.

“I caused everybody to panic…”

“You’re carrying a human being,” the doctor replied bluntly. “You’re allowed to scare people sometimes.”

That actually made Eloray smile weakly.

The doctor adjusted the monitor slightly.

“The baby looks healthy. Strong heartbeat. No signs of distress.”

Montavius finally exhaled slowly.

His large hand moved instinctively toward Eloray’s stomach again.

The doctor smiled knowingly.

“You two should rest tonight.”

Then she looked directly at Montavius.

“And keep her stress levels down.”

His eyes darkened slightly.

“I plan to.”

The doctor and nurses eventually stepped out quietly.

For the first time all evening…

The room softened.

Rain tapped against the windows peacefully.

The baby’s heartbeat echoed steadily through the monitors.

Eloray looked emotionally drained laying against the pillows while Montavius remained beside her.

Still close.

Still touching her.

Like he couldn’t help it.

He brushed loose curls away from her face carefully.

“You scared me.”

Her eyes lifted toward him.

“…Sorry.”

Montavius immediately shook his head.

“Stop apologizing.”

His voice lowered.

“I mean it.”

Eloray looked at him quietly for a moment.

Then suddenly—

The baby kicked again.

Strong.

Montavius’ hand instantly spread across her stomach.

The monitor shifted slightly beneath his touch.

Eloray laughed softly.

“He likes you.”

Montavius looked down at her belly.

Then lowered himself carefully.

And kissed it again.

Slowly.

Right over the monitor strap.

Eloray’s breath caught softly.

Something about seeing this terrifying Mafia king kissing her stomach so gently nearly made her emotional all over again.

“You hear me in there?” Montavius muttered quietly toward her belly. “Stop stressing your mama out.”

Eloray burst into soft laughter.

Then suddenly—

The hospital room doors flew open.

Chaos arrived immediately.

“WHERE IS SHE?!”

“MOVE!”

“OH MY BABY!”

Both families stormed into the room dramatically all at once.

Clarisse immediately rushed to Eloray’s bedside crying again.

Terrence looked ready to fight the hospital itself.

Vincent barked questions at random doctors.

Alessia clutched her chest.

Jason entered last—

And visibly relaxed the second he saw Eloray okay.

But before anybody could settle—

Laraine suddenly shrieked loudly.

“OW!”

Everybody turned instantly.

Laraine held onto the doorway dramatically.

“My ankle!”

Jason frowned immediately.

“What?”

“I twisted it!” she whined loudly.

A nurse blinked awkwardly.

“…You’re wearing flats.”

“Well SOMETHING hurts!”

The entire room shifted toward her chaos immediately.

Clarisse sighed exhausted already.

Alessia looked irritated beyond belief.

“Oh for God’s sake…”

Laraine limped dramatically toward a chair.

“I almost fell because everybody rushed in here!”

Jason instinctively moved toward her.

“You okay?”

Meanwhile…

Montavius didn’t even look over.

Not once.

His attention stayed entirely on Eloray.

His hand still rubbed slow circles over her stomach.

His lips brushed another kiss against her belly softly.

The monitor continued playing the baby’s heartbeat quietly beneath the family arguing in the background.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Eloray watched him carefully.

“You really ignored all that.”

Montavius shrugged slightly without looking up.

“She’s not my problem anymore.”

Across the room, Laraine noticed immediately.

And the jealousy on her face turned vicious.

Because despite all her screaming…

Despite all her dramatics…

Montavius never looked at her the way he looked at Eloray.

Not even once.

The maternity floor had finally quieted down slightly.

Not completely.

Because with the Brown and Devereux families involved, true silence was probably impossible.

But for now, most of the yelling had calmed into distant arguing somewhere near the waiting lounge.

Inside Eloray’s suite, the lights were dimmed lower while the baby monitor continued its soft rhythmic sounds.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Eloray had finally relaxed enough to close her eyes for a little while.

Montavius sat beside her bed silently watching her sleep.

Her bubble ponytails spread gently across the pillow.

One hand rested over her stomach unconsciously.

The monitor strap still wrapped around her belly.

She looked peaceful again.

And somehow…

That made something violent settle inside him too.

Because for years, Montavius Devereux had lived like a weapon.

Not a man.

Not a son.

Not a future husband.

A weapon.

Everybody feared him.

Business rivals.

Politicians.

Enemies.

Even women.

Especially women.

There were rumors about him all over the city.

That he snapped bones barehanded.

That he drowned men in bathtubs for betrayal.

That he once threw somebody through bulletproof glass during a Mafia negotiation.

Most people couldn’t tell which stories were fake anymore.

That was the point.

Fear protected empires.

And honestly?

Montavius never cared whether people loved him.

Fear was easier.

Cleaner.

Safer.

That’s exactly why the families originally broke apart the arrangement between him and Eloray years ago.

Because somebody like him was never supposed to love softly.

Yet here he was.

Sitting beside a sleeping pregnant woman with snack wrappers in his pocket because she liked sour candy.

The thought almost made him laugh bitterly.

Montavius finally stood carefully from the bedside.

One of his hands brushed gently against Eloray’s forehead before he stepped away.

“I’ll be right back,” he murmured quietly.

She made a sleepy little sound but didn’t wake up.

Montavius left the suite silently.

The hospital hallway was dim and mostly empty this late at night.

Security guards stood near elevators while nurses walked quietly between rooms.

Montavius loosened the top buttons of his black shirt slightly while heading toward the private lounge area.

For the first time all night…

He finally looked exhausted.

The last few days had been nonstop chaos.

The wedding scandal.

The emergency meeting.

The courthouse marriage.

The photoshoot.

Tonight’s hospital scare.

And through all of it…

One thing had become painfully clear.

He couldn’t lose Eloray.

The realization sat heavy in his chest.

Dangerously heavy.

Montavius reached the vending lounge and grabbed a bottled drink along with a few snacks he knew Eloray liked.

Then—

“You really serious about this?”

Montavius stopped moving immediately.

Jason.

Of fucking course.

Jason stood near the hallway entrance with his hands shoved into his pockets.

His jaw looked tight.

Eyes exhausted.

But underneath all of that?

Jealousy burned so visibly it was pathetic.

Montavius looked away calmly.

“If you came to apologize, save it.”

Jason scoffed bitterly.

“You acting real comfortable with my child.”

That made Montavius laugh once.

Not happily.

The sound was cold.

Sharp.

Dangerous.

“Your child?”

Jason stepped forward.

“You know what I mean.”

Montavius slowly looked back at him.

“No,” he replied quietly. “Explain it to me.”

Jason’s frustration finally started boiling over.

“That baby is mine.”

Montavius’ expression darkened immediately.

“And?”

Jason threw his hands up.

“And now suddenly you playing husband and daddy?!”

Montavius stared at him for a long moment.

Then suddenly laughed again.

This time darker.

Meaner.

“You know what’s funny?”

Jason frowned.

“You didn’t want her until somebody else started loving her correctly.”

Jason’s face hardened instantly.

“You think you know everything now?”

“I know enough.”

Montavius stepped closer slowly.

Towering over him instantly.

“I know she sat alone at an altar carrying your baby while you fucked her sister.”

Jason clenched his jaw hard.

“I made a mistake.”

“No,” Montavius replied coldly. “You made choices.”

Jason suddenly shoved him lightly.

“You don’t get to act morally superior to me.”

Wrong move.

Completely wrong fucking move.

Because the second Jason’s hand touched him—

Something in Montavius snapped.

Fast.

Violently fast.

One second Jason stood there angry.

The next—

Montavius grabbed him by the collar and lifted him clean off the floor.

Like he weighed absolutely nothing.

Jason’s eyes widened instantly.

“SHIT—”

His feet dangled helplessly above the ground.

The bottled drink in Montavius’ other hand never even spilled.

That was the terrifying part.

The hallway went dead silent.

Nearby security froze.

Because everybody knew one thing about Montavius Devereux:

If he lost control…

People got hurt.

Badly.

Montavius slammed Jason against the wall hard enough to crack part of it.

Jason gasped.

“M-Montavius—”

“No.”

Montavius’ voice dropped lower.

Deeper.

The voice that made grown men panic during Mafia negotiations.

“You listen to me now.”

Jason grabbed at his wrist desperately trying to pry himself free.

Completely useless.

Because Montavius was terrifyingly strong.

Not normal strong.

The kind of strength people whispered rumors about.

The kind that made enemies fear physical confrontations with him more than guns.

Montavius leaned closer.

“You ever put your hands on me again…”

His grip tightened slightly.

Jason visibly struggled to breathe.

“I’ll break every fucking bone in your body one at a time.”

Jason swallowed hard.

And for the first time in years…

He looked genuinely afraid of his older brother.

Not irritated.

Not annoyed.

Afraid.

Montavius’ eyes looked almost black beneath the hallway lighting now.

“You think this is about the baby?”

His voice lowered dangerously.

“This is about her.”

Jason stared at him.

Montavius’ expression twisted bitterly.

“She spent years loving people who didn’t deserve it.”

The anger in his voice deepened.

“And somehow she still apologizes for breathing too loudly.”

Jason’s face shifted slightly.

Because deep down?

He knew exactly what kind of woman Eloray was.

Soft.

Loyal.

Too forgiving.

Montavius shook his head once in disgust.

“You had somebody good.”

Jason looked away briefly.

“That’s not what this is.”

Montavius laughed darkly.

“Oh really?”

His grip tightened again.

“Then why the fuck are you following us everywhere?”

Jason went silent.

Because there wasn’t an answer.

Not a truthful one anyway.

Montavius stared at him coldly.

“You know what everybody used to say about me?”

Jason frowned slightly.

“That women were terrified to marry me.”

The corner of Montavius’ mouth twitched bitterly.

“They said I was too dangerous.”

His eyes darkened further.

“Too violent.”

Flashbacks flickered through his mind briefly:

Women visibly shaking during family introductions.

Broken engagements.

Fearful whispers.

People treating him like a monster before even speaking to him.

Montavius never cared before.

Until Eloray.

Because Eloray never looked scared of him.

Even years ago.

She looked curious.

Comfortable.

Safe.

And somehow…

That mattered more than everything else.

Montavius leaned closer toward Jason one final time.

“But now?”

His voice became frighteningly calm again.

“I finally have the woman I was supposed to have from the beginning.”

Jason’s chest tightened instantly.

Because the terrifying part?

Montavius meant every word.

Completely.

Finally, Montavius dropped him.

Jason stumbled hard against the wall coughing aggressively.

Montavius adjusted his sleeves calmly like nothing happened.

Then pointed directly at him.

“You will respect my wife.”

Jason froze.

My wife.

Not Eloray.

Not her.

His wife.

Montavius grabbed the drinks and snacks again.

Then before walking away—

He spoke one final time.

“And if you stress her out again…”

He looked back over his shoulder.

The Mafia king smile on his face made Jason’s blood run cold.

“I’ll remind everybody exactly why they feared me in the first place.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***