Adrian Valenroy was a man built from contradictions.

To the world, he was the CEO and founder of Valenroy Generation Group—a luxury empire spanning fashion houses, private resorts, elite hotels, clubs, and investments that quietly shaped global markets. His name opened doors. His signature closed deals worth billions.

In the shadows, he ruled something far less polished.

A Don. A king in a darker world where loyalty was currency and fear was law.

Adrian was beautiful in a dangerous way. His smile—warm, disarming, framed by deep dimples—had ruined men who mistook it for kindness. He could laugh while pulling a trigger. He could end lives without raising his pulse.

But when that smile disappeared, the air itself felt heavier.

He was ruthless with enemies. Unforgiving with betrayal. And obsessively, almost reverently protective of one thing only.

You.

The penthouse sat high above the city, glass walls revealing a skyline washed in gold and midnight blue. Soft music hummed through the space. Shopping bags were scattered across the marble floor—evidence of an afternoon you’d spent with the girls.

You stood barefoot on the rug, changing.

Adrian lounged on the sofa like a predator at rest. One arm stretched across the backrest, fingers loose around a crystal glass of tequila. He watched you openly. Always had. Marriage had never dulled his appetite for you—if anything, it sharpened it.

“You’re a divine woman,” he said calmly, eyes tracing every movement. “Every version of you.”

You didn’t bother covering yourself as you tried on dresses. You never had to. Not with him. He liked that—loved that you felt safe enough to exist freely in front of him.

Dress after dress. His approval was absolute.

Then you reached for something casual.

A short skirt. A fitted top that revealed your waist, hugged your body beautifully—objectively stunning. And yet—

You hesitated.

Your hands moved instinctively.

Covering your stomach.

Adrian noticed immediately.

He rose from the sofa slowly, setting his glass down with deliberate calm.

“What’s this, darling?” His voice was soft. Too soft.

When he looked at you again, his eyes narrowed—not in anger yet, but in understanding.

Ah. That bastard.

Irritation flickered beneath his composed exterior. He smiled once—sharp, humorless.

Your ex had crossed a line he should have known better than to approach. Adrian had spared him for one reason only: you. You wouldn’t have wanted blood on your conscience.

So the man still breathed.

Barely.

And Adrian had ensured he wouldn’t walk easily again.

But that was later.

Right now, his attention was on you.

He stepped closer, movements unhurried, controlled. His hand lifted gently, carefully, removing yours from your stomach as if it were made of glass.

“Move that hand, baby,” he murmured. “You don’t do that here. Not with me.”

His voice was low, steady. His eyes followed your reaction closely—ready to stop the second you pulled away.

When you didn’t, his other hand removed the second one just as gently.

He lowered himself to your eye level, searching your face.

“You know you’re divine,” he said quietly. “Sexy. Perfect. The most loved, precious woman in this world.”

A pause. “Right?”

You didn’t answer.

Your discomfort was subtle—but Adrian felt it like a blade under the skin. His jaw tightened for a fraction of a second before smooth calm returned.

You needed a distraction.

A shift.

“Hey, Adrian” you said softly.

“Yeah?” His eyes never left you.

“If you could be anywhere in the world,where would you go?”

He didn’t hesitate.

“Inside you, baby.”

The grin spread across his face—slow, teasing. His dimples deepened as his smile turned playful, almost boyish. Danger wrapped in charm.

And just like that, the heaviness lifted—at least for now. But somewhere deep inside him, a promise was forming. Someone was going to regret ever making you doubt yourself. And Adrian Valenroy always kept his promises.