Chapter 2 The brother-in-law

Bella was jolted awake by a noise. She quickly got up, straining to catch the words being spoken. After dressing hurriedly, she headed downstairs. There, people were busy moving furniture, setting up an arch adorned with flowers, and arranging chairs in front of it. As she scanned the room for a familiar face, she spotted Lucas's brother. He appeared to be in his thirties, exuding a calm yet predatory demeanor that made Bella shiver.

He approached her and introduced himself, "We haven't met properly. "I'm Damon," his cold black eyes piercing into her dark blue ones. "Tomorrow is the day. He saved your life, so be grateful."

Bella chuckled. "Should I get on my knees and thank you? Arrogant, egocentric... stumbled with the words.... cold."

He looked taken aback for a moment. "That's a first," stepping closer. Bella instinctively moved back until she hit the wall. His hand circled her neck, not tightly, but enough to frighten her. "No one has ever insulted me and lived," tightening his grip slightly. His face was mere inches from hers, his presence overwhelming. She could sense his body pressing against hers, his scent faint yet distinctly masculine. His long dark hair fell over his face as he looked down at her.

"Damon, stop it, please, that's my wife you're touching," a voice interrupted.

Even then, their eye contact remained unbroken. Finally, Damon relaxed his grip on her neck, his fingers brushing against her skin, before he let her go.

Lucas glanced at Bella, her face pale and shaken, then turned to Damon. "What the hell was that?"

Damon didn't answer. He walked off, his chest tight, his mind a mess. She'd gotten under his skin, those eyes, that defiance. He'd almost lost it back there. Almost. Now he was just pissed.

Lucas shouted after him, finally catching up. "You're still coming to the party, right?"

"Of course," Damon said flatly. "Wouldn't miss my little brother's big day."

Luca sigh. "Not my type. I saved her. That's it."

"You know I wouldn't have asked you to kill her, right?"

"Yeah, I know. But the old man... he showed his true colors."

"Fair enough. I'll see you later."

Damon drove off, ending up at" the" house. He knocked, and a girl answered.

"Clothes off. Now," he barked.

She hesitated, trembling, but he didn't care. He threw her on the bed, yanked her around, and reached for his belt. He hit her once, twice, his grip on her neck tightening. Almost lost control. Again. Nothing satisfying him anymore. The sex was just relief, nothing more.

When it was over, he tossed some money on the bed and left.

Back in his car, he couldn't shake her. Those eyes. That defiance. Fuck.

At the office, he paced like a caged animal. Rafael walked in, holding a suit and a gift.

"Boss, everything's ready," Rafael said, grinning.

"Good. The dress, did you send it?"

"Done. Should be there by now."

Rafael left, and Damon stared at the wall, his thoughts swirling. Fuck.

The pre-wedding party was bustling with people, including numerous armed guards. Bella opened the box to reveal a stunning satin black dress, backless and lowcut. She slipped it on, paired with blood-red heels, and applied light makeup. Her light brown hair was styled in a bun, with long bangs framing her face. Her thought drifted to Damon. Despite his hand around her neck, she sensed his deep pain, a darkness in his heart he couldn't fill. She understood that kind of pain. Why was she even thinking about him? She dismissed the thought, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs. Scanning the room, she caught Damon's eye, but Lucas soon interrupted.

"You look beautiful," "Just smile and pretend it's easy."

"I don't know anyone here, Lucas,"

The music started, transforming the morning seating area into a dance floor. Lucas went to get her a drink. As she turned to step outside, Damon blocked her path.

"May I have this dance, please?" He looked sharp, his dark hair pulled back, his face no emotions.

Bella hesitated but placed her hand in his. His other hand rested on her bare back, stirring something in her stomach. What was it about him that made her feel this way? He leaned in, whispering, "I'm sorry if I scared you this morning." A shiver ran down her spine.

She gently pulled back to meet his gaze; he seemed sincere. Bella smiled.

"Am I forgiven?"

She leaned close to his ear. "For now, yes." He inhaled her scent, closing his eyes. When he smiled, it was like she was seeing a different man. She was taken aback.

"What is wrong?"

"I didn't think you could smile. It suits you,"

"If I smiled during business, no one would take me seriously," he replied, pulling her closer. Bella blushed.

"You know I'm marrying your brother tomorrow," she reminded him.

His hand drifted lower as he whispered, "Yeah, I know."

Bella didn't pull away, and he noticed. Her body language said, "I like that."

The music stopped, and she attempted to step back. "Bella," he murmured in her ear, "I want one more dance, maybe later."

She studied him, trying to decipher his intentions. "Of course, maybe... later," she replied.

Luca was deeply engrossed in a conversation, so Bella decided to step outside to the back of the house for some fresh air. Why did she feel this way? The man was a ruthless killer, the one who had killed her father, the father who had sold her to settle his debts. In a twisted sense, she felt relief at his death but still fought back tears.

"Don't be sad; he was selfish and not worth your tears," Damon said, surprising her by standing beside her, almost as if he could read her thoughts. He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

"He owed money to a lot of people. I just happened to get there first. Sorry you had to witness that," Damon said, taking a sip of his drink before handing it to her. She took a sip and started coughing.

"It's a bit strong for me," she admitted.

Damon stepped closer, almost closing the gap between them. "Bella, stop me if I'm wrong," he paused, then softly kissed her lips. She remained still. He pulled back, searching her eyes, thinking how sincere they looked.

"I have to go," Bella said, handing his jacket back. "Let's forget about all this." She turned to leave but hesitated, glancing back. Damon looked sad.

"What am I doing with his brother?" she thought. Luca was set to marry her tomorrow, and then what? She dashed inside, accidentally running into Luca.

"Hey, did my brother say something?"

She shook her head, took his drink, and finished it.