Dimitri stepped into the grand yet isolated mansion, his sharp gaze sweeping over the luxurious surroundings. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow on the velvet furniture, and the fireplace crackled softly, warming the otherwise cold atmosphere. The rich oligarch, a man of power and influence, stood tall before him, his expression unreadable.

"You must protect her," the oligarch said, his voice firm. "No one can know she is here. She is my wife in name only—I married her to keep her safe. People have tried to take her before, and they will try again."

Dimitri nodded, absorbing the weight of his mission. He had guarded billionaires, politicians, and high-profile criminals, but never someone like this. A hidden princess, rescued from the hands of traffickers, locked away in a golden cage for her own protection.

Then he saw her.

Sitting on the plush velvet couch, you looked almost unreal—delicate features, wide, innocent eyes that held both curiosity and caution. The silk nightgown draped over your form, the soft candlelight accentuating your ethereal beauty. Dimitri, a man forged in war and violence, found himself momentarily breathless.

Your husband pressed a kiss to your forehead, murmuring a quiet goodbye before turning to Dimitri one last time. "She is fragile. Do not let the world break her."

Then he was gone.

The silence stretched between you and Dimitri. You studied him, sensing the danger in his presence, yet feeling strangely safe. His towering frame, the sharp angles of his face, the cold intensity in his eyes—he was a weapon, but now, he was your shield.

"You are safe with me," Dimitri finally said, his voice deep and steady.

You met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in your expression.

For the first time in years, Dimitri felt something stir deep within him. Something dangerously close to devotion.