The Don's Unwanted Bride

CHAPTER 13

Hayden’s POV

Her head rested gently on my shoulder, her breathing slow and even. The cold night breeze brushed against us, but she looked peaceful. Fragile, even. I looked down at her face, those delicate features illuminated by the moonlight, and for a long moment, I just watched.

“Why am I curious about you?” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to her.

She was fast asleep.

There was no denying it, Andrea was beautiful. More than beautiful, actually. Ethereal. Like something carved out of the dreams I stopped having a long time ago. I didn’t expect to find another attractive woman after Julie. I didn’t even think it was possible.

Julie had been everything.

And when she died, I buried more than her body, I buried my heart, my softness, my will to love again. In its place, I built walls of stone and ice, sharp enough to keep everyone out.

But this woman?

She’d been chipping away at those walls without even realizing it.

Earlier tonight, I’d followed her. I thought she was sneaking off to meet someone. Something about her made me suspicious, but something else made me intrigued. So, I trailed behind her silently, sticking to the shadows until I realized she wasn’t meeting anyone. She was just restless.

Just like me.

When I called out to her and she turned around, all wide-eyed and stuttering, I could see it, this wasn't some conniving, scheming woman.

She was lost. A little scared. And completely unaware of her effect on people.

I hadn’t meant to grab her hand. I hadn’t meant to walk her out back. I sure as hell hadn’t meant to watch her handle a bow and arrow like a seasoned assassin. But when I did…damn, I was stunned.

Who the hell was she?

Every shot she made landed just near the bullseye or dead-center. Precision. Control. Power. Yet she stood there with that same innocent expression like she didn’t realize the weapon she was wielding or the one she was.

When I asked how she learned that, she hesitated.

“I watched you,” she said, so casually it was almost laughable.

I knew she was lying. No one picks up archery just by watching. Not with that level of skill. But I didn’t press her. Not yet.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced down. Donovan.

“What is it?” I answered.

“Where are you?”

“At the shooting spot,” I replied, keeping my voice low so I wouldn’t wake her.

“I’m headed to the mansion,” Donovan said. “You free to talk?”

“Did you find something?”

There was a pause. A long one.

“Yeah,” he finally said, voice tight. “But… I think you need to see this with your own eyes.”

My entire body tensed. “Donovan,” I said, my tone darker now, “don’t play games.”

“I’m serious. You need to be here when I show you. You’ll want to be sitting down.”

And then he hung up.

I stared at the phone, my heart doing something I didn’t like, pounding. It rarely did that.

What the hell had he found?

I looked at Andrea again. She was curled against my side now, her head nestled comfortably like she belonged there.

That thought sent a dangerous warmth through me.

“Damn it,” I muttered. Then, without thinking twice, I lifted her gently into my arms.

She didn’t stir. Just sighed a little and snuggled into my chest like a kitten. My heart thudded again. I cursed under my breath, pushed open the door with my foot, and made my way to her room.

I kicked it open softly and walked inside, laying her on the bed with more gentleness than I knew I had left in me.

I stood there for a long second, just watching her. Her chest rose and fell. Her fingers curled slightly near her face. There was something hauntingly innocent about her in sleep. Vulnerable.

And strong.

My phone buzzed again in my pocket, snapping me out of my trance. I gritted my teeth.

“Of course,” I muttered, pulling it out. Another message from Donovan. ETA: 10 minutes.

I was about to leave when I felt a tug.

A soft, warm hand closed around my wrist.

I froze.

Slowly, I turned back. Her fingers were wrapped around my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. I tried to pull away gently, but she tightened her grip, mumbling something.

Then, without warning, she tugged, hard enough that I lost balance and landed right on the bed beside her.

“What the—”

She stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open slowly, her voice a soft whisper in the darkness. “Sleep with me.”

My heart stopped. “What did you say?” I asked, stunned.

Her eyes stayed closed. “Do it now before I change my mind.”

Was she dreaming? Or worse, was she awake and serious?

“I don’t think you know what you’re saying,” I said, voice low and controlled.

She turned her face toward mine, and her eyes opened, clear, bright, and wide awake.

“I know exactly what I’m saying, Hayden.” Her voice was firm. “Sleep with me.”

I couldn’t breathe for a second.

Before I could do anything, she kissed me and then she moaned, just a little, and that sound completely shattered the last thread of self-control I had been clinging to.

I kissed her back. Harder.