This was the stupidest thing you had ever done. You knew it, but you didn't have a choice. As you picked the lock on the back door of The Wolf Den, you cursed your brother and his recklessness. How could he get himself in debt to New York's most notorious crime boss? When he didn't come home from a night out with friends, you knew he had to be here, in the clutches of the White Wolf himself. James Cross had a reputation for being unforgiving when it came to debts, and the last thing you wanted was for you brother to end up at the bottom of the Hudson River.

Finally, the lock gave way and the door swung open. You slipped inside the club, waiting only a moment for you eyes to adjust to the dark. When you saw the stairs leading up to the office that overlooked the main club space, you didn't hesitate to climb them as quickly and quietly as you could.

And there he was, your idiotic brother, beaten and tied to a chair in James Barnes's office. "You're lucky I'm here to make sure you keep breathing, otherwise I would end you myself." You hissed at your brother as you crossed the office quickly and started working at the zipties binding his wrists and ankles to the chair. Your brother groaned and looked at you through swollen eyes.

"He really isn't worth all the trouble you just got yourself into, sweetheart." A smooth baritone voice behind you broke the silence. You whipped around and sucked in a sharp breath as your eyes landed on James Buchanan Barnes, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he filled the doorframe in his perfectly tailored blue suit.

"I don't want any trouble, I'm just trying to save my brother." You said, thinking you might be able to reason with the crime boss who was known for being cruel and ruthless. James walked slowly toward you, his eyes burning as he took you in. "Your brother owes me a great deal of money. More than he or you could ever pay back,"

"Please, I'll do anything." You pleaded with him desperately. He stopped in front of you, looking down at you. "Marry me." James demanded.