Chapter 2 Chapter Two

“Get yourself a wife before the week runs out, Xander or the company, along with every property tied to Elberta Holdings, goes straight to Elijah. I don’t care how you manage it. I don’t care if you’ve been one of the pillars behind the empire’s rise. What I care about is the rumor circling this city,” his lip curled, eyes narrowing on his eldest son, “that my heir, the so-called most eligible bachelor of Chicago, is homosexual. You’ve never once been seen with a woman, and the board is whispering. I won’t have our name dragged through the mud because of you.”

Xander sat stiffly in the leather chair, jaw locked. He forced himself to look his father in the eye, though every fiber in him screamed to walk out.

“He’s not my brother,” Xander spat. “Stepbrother. Step. Don’t call him that in front of me.”

“Stepbrother or not, Elijah’s ready to step in where you fail. The world won’t wait while you hide behind excuses.” George snapped.

Xander’s chest heaved, fury rippling through him. The gossip of the months flashed in his head. It was tabloids branding him a closeted gay billionaire, whispers at every gala, investors giving him curious looks when he walked in. He’d given everything to Elberta Holdings, his youth, his sweat, his blood. And now his father dared to dangle it all over his head.

How the hell was he supposed to suddenly parade a woman in front of the world, let alone a fiancée? He hadn’t touched a woman in years. Not because he wasn’t attracted. No, he was very much a man who wanted women. But every touch, every feminine hand that reached for him, dragged him back to that night when he was ten. The night that had shattered him. A woman had ruined his life, and the memory still made his skin crawl.

And now his father expected him to fix everything with a wife. A week. A goddamn week.

“You’re telling me,” Xander said slowly, “that if I don’t bring home a wife, the company I bled for, the empire I built will be handed to that bastard, Elijah?”

“Well, yes. You’ve been left with no other choice,” George said coldly. “And more importantly, Elijah is getting married tomorrow. That makes him far more eligible. This isn’t my doing, Xander. It’s out of my hands. And one more thing,” he leaned forward. “Your brother is not a bastard. He is my son, my blood. Whether you like it or not, he is your brother, even if you share different mothers. Be ready for Elijah’s wedding tomorrow.”

Xander’s chair screeched back as he shot to his feet, fists clenched. “Like I care,” he muttered, before storming out of the office.

“Xander!” George’s voice thundered behind him, but he didn’t stop. He didn’t even look back.

Fuck them all.

By the time Xander slid into his sleek black car, his hands were shaking so badly he gripped the steering wheel just to steady himself, and finally slammed his foot on the accelerator and drove away.

He ended up at a bar.

Minutes blurred into hours as he downed drink after drink, brushing off and snapping at the women who fluttered around him. Loose bitches, every one of them. He wasn’t in the mood.

His father wanted him married? Fine. He’d find a wife, even if it meant buying one or faking it.

That thought stuck in his head as he staggered back into his car. The evening air bit at his face as he started the engine, the city lights blurring past. But before he could drive far, headlights suddenly swerved into his lane from the opposite direction.

“Shit!” Xander cursed, jerking the wheel and slamming the brake. His car lurched forward.

The collision wasn’t fatal, but rage flared hot in his chest. He shoved his door open and stormed out, ready to tear into the idiot who’d dared crash into him.

But the other driver wasn’t moving. The car just sat there, motionless. No one even stepped out.

His face hardened as he stalked toward the vehicle.

Inside, Riana sat frozen, her knuckles white around the steering wheel. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She had been lost in her thoughts, her heartache blinding her to everything, and now this. She knew she should open the door, step out and apologize, but her chest was locked tight.

Through the windshield, she saw a tall man in tailored suit coming. His shoulders were squared, every step radiating anger. Her breath caught, and she braced herself for the explosion she knew she deserved.

Xander stopped in front of the car, staring in at the woman who had crashed into him. Her face streaked with tears, her makeup ruined, her whole body trembling.

“What the hell were you doing?” He leaned down to her window “Do you have a death wish? You could’ve killed yourself, or someone else.”

Riana’s lips parted, but no words came. Only a strangled sob slipped out before she buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.

“Hey…” His tone softened, surprising even him. “Are you alright?”

Riana didn’t answer. She just kept crying, muffled sobs clawing out of her throat as though she couldn’t control them.

“Look at me.” His voice wasn’t a demand this time but coaxing. When she didn’t, he tried another angle. “Where were you heading? I’ll take you. You can’t drive like this, and your car’s totaled.”

“I… I can’t go anywhere,” she whispered, her voice broken.

Xander’s jaw ticked. He hated this. He doesn’t know how to pet a crying woman. “Come on, lady,” he said, firmer now. “You’re in no state to drive, and your car isn’t going anywhere tonight. Let me take you.”

Inside, Riana’s thoughts spiraled. Stepbrother. Fiance. Betrayal. The memories flashed behind her eyes.

Xander’s patience thinned. “Look,” he muttered, “Either you let me take you somewhere safe, or I call the cops and let them handle this. Your choice.”

Her head snapped up at that. She couldn’t deal with that mess on top of everything else. The fight drained out of her, leaving only exhaustion.

“Alright. But….what’s your name?”

“Xander,” he said flatly. “Get in my car. I’ll handle yours.”

For a moment she just stared at him, dazed. Then, under her breath, the words slipped out without thought. “You’re… handsome.”

Xander blinked, his expression unreadable, as though he couldn’t decide whether to scoff or ignore it. He said nothing.

Reluctantly, Riana pushed her door open. The cool night air hit her, and her legs wobbled as she stood. Without a word, Xander guided her with a hand at the small of her back toward his car.

He opened the passenger door for her. She hesitated, glancing at him again, really seeing him for the first time. Dark hair falling carelessly across his forehead. A suit that clung to broad shoulders, and those sharp piercing blue eyes. He's so handsome, and sexy. She giggled inwardly.

Sliding into the passenger seat, she clutched her hands together as he rounded the car.

Xander slipped into the driver’s seat, pulling out his phone and making a quick call to arrange for her car.

When he hung up and finally turned to her, his eyes met hers. That unyielding blue gaze made her pulse stutter.

For the first time that night, Riana felt more afraid of him than of the accident. Afraid, not because of what he might do, but because of what those eyes made her feel.

“Where to?” Xander asked finally.

Riana bit her lip, staring out the windshield.

“Anywhere,” she whispered. “Just… take me anywhere.”

His brows lifted. “You don’t even know me. I could be anyone, and you’re telling me to just… take you?”

Oh, if only you knew, Riana thought bitterly. She didn’t care who he was. She just needed out.

And then, before she could stop herself, the reckless words tumbled out of her mouth:

“Your place.”

Xander’s head snapped toward her.“Excuse me?!

My place? What the hell do you mean by that?”

Riana lifted her chin, though her voice still trembled. “Anywhere you’re going is fine. Just not… not back there.”

His jaw clenched, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he drove in silence, his mind spinning with questions.

The car rolled to a stop in front of a towering luxury hotel. He turned toward her, studying her tear-streaked face. “Are you sure you don’t want to go home? Or at least a hospital?”

She shook her head violently.

He sighed. “Alright. Look…I don’t know what’s going on with you, but… if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen.”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” she murmured.

Xander guided her inside, told his driver to handle the cars, then led her into his suite. He set a glass of water in her trembling hands, lowering himself on the couch beside her.

“What happened?” he asked softly. “Why were you crying like that?”

Riana only shook her head. The words were knives she couldn’t pull out. Her eyes welled again, spilling over silently.

Seeing he’d get no answers, Xander pushed to his feet. “Alright. I won’t press. But I need to shower. It’s been a long day.” He gave her one last glance before disappearing into the bedroom.

---

The sound of rushing water filled the suite. Steam curled from the bathroom as Xander leaned under the spray, eyes closed, letting the heat beat against the tension in his shoulders. He raked his hair back, trying to shake the image of her broken face from his mind.

The click of the bathroom door startled him. He turned, soap still clinging to his skin, and froze.

Riana stood in the doorway, not in her former clothes nor in tears. But in a scarlet lace lingerie that clung to every curve.

His favorite color.

“What the—” He jerked upright, quickly wiping his face and snatching a towel around his waist. “What the hell are you doing in here?” he asked. “Do you… need something?” He forced his gaze away, but the sight of her was seared into his brain.

Her eyes held him with startling steadiness. “Tell me something. Are you married? Do you have a girlfriend? A fiancée?”

Xander blinked, floored by the question. “No, none. Why are you—”

“Good.” Her lips curved into a bitter, reckless smile. “Then I want you to fuck me tonight.”

His blood froze. “What?”

“I want you to take me to bed,” she said bluntly. “And tomorrow morning, you’ll take me to the altar.”

Xander stared at her, heart pounding. “You can’t be serious—”

“Oh, I’m dead serious.” Her eyes shimmered with the remnants of tears, but her voice carried desperation. “I need this

. I need you.”

Xander’s world tilted. This woman, this stranger who crashed into his life had just dropped a bombshell that could change everything.