Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Defiance Chapter 102: Defiance ************** CHAPTER 102 ~Marcus’s POV~ The heavy scent of smoke and leather filled the dimly lit room, mingling with the sound of billiard balls colliding on the pool table in front of me.  I watched as one of the striped balls rolled into a pocket, a smirk curving my lips as I leaned back in my chair, savouring the small satisfaction of the game.

Three men sat around me, murmuring in anticipation as they waited for their turn.

One of my guards entered, interrupting the rhythm of the game.

He approached, head bowed slightly in deference.

“Sir, Ivan has called again.

He wants an update.” I didn’t bother looking up from the table, aiming my next shot carefully before sending another ball into the corner pocket.

“Tell him I’m busy.

He can wait.” The guard hesitated, clearly not expecting that answer.

“But, sir, Ivan’s been calling repeatedly.

He seems…

insistent.” I straightened, my gaze turning cold as I glanced his way.

“I said he can wait.” To make sure he understood, I let my wolf eyes shine through, silently telling him to back off.

Nodding stiffly, the guard backed away, muttering his compliance.

My men exchanged uneasy glances, clearly aware of my dismissive attitude toward Ivan.

Finally, one of them couldn’t contain his curiosity.

“So, Marcus,” one of the men drawled, a sly grin forming, “when do you plan to let Ivan have his precious little girl?” I chuckled, rolling the cue stick between my fingers before responding.

“Ivan may think he’s in control, but he’s late to the game.

I’ve had my eye on Zara long before he decided to join forces with me and ruin Snow.” The men chuckled darkly along with me.

I set down the cue stick, pulling myself away from the game as a new, thrilling thought took root.

“She’s too valuable to just hand over,” I continued, a grin spreading across my face.

“Let’s have some fun first.

Ivan can wait until I’m done.

Besides, it would be a thrill to taunt Snow with his new wife.” Satisfied, I motioned for the guard, who opened the door leading into a dark hallway, illuminated by a single flickering light overhead.  I followed, each step echoing against the concrete walls as we ventured deeper into the lower levels of the building.

The faint sound of machinery hummed in the background, a fitting soundtrack to the twisted thoughts brewing in my mind.

We approached another door at the end of the hallway, and as it opened, the sight that greeted me was exactly as I had planned.

Zara sat in the middle of the room, bound to a chair with heavy iron chains coiled around her wrists and ankles.  Her head was tilted slightly downward, her hair cascading around her face, obscuring her expression.

I could see the subtle rise and fall of her shoulders, her breaths laboured yet steady.

I moved closer, taking in the sight of her, savouring the sense of power that washed over me.  There was a primal satisfaction in watching her restrained, vulnerable, completely at my mercy.

She was a fighter, no doubt about it, but here, right now, she was helpless.

“You know,” I said, my voice echoing in the room, “I never thought I’d get the chance to see you like this, Zara.” Her head lifted slowly, and despite the dark circles under her eyes, her gaze burned with defiance.  Even bound and battered, she had a fire that made her stand out from anyone I’d ever encountered.

I leaned closer, smiling as her lips curled in a scowl.

“You think this will scare me?” she sneered.

I chuckled, reaching out to grip her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“Oh, I don’t need you scared, Zara.

I just need you to understand that there’s no way out of this.

Ivan might want you broken, but I prefer a little more€¦ resistance.

Makes things more interesting, don’t you think?” She jerked her chin out of my grasp, her gaze filled with pure disdain.

“Enjoy it while you can, Marcus.

It won’t last.” Her defiance only fueled my amusement.

Leaning back, I let out a low laugh, savouring every moment of her fury.

“Oh, I fully intend to enjoy this.

You’re not going anywhere, Zara.

Not until I’m done.” ************* ~Tempest’s POV~ -Earlier That Morning- The first thing I noticed as I woke was the warmth of Ryland’s arm wrapped around me, his hand splayed protectively against my back.

His breathing was deep, even, and comforting.

It felt€¦ safe.

Dangerous, maybe, but safe.  I turned slightly, my gaze tracing the strong line of his jaw, and the way his blond hair fell against his forehead.  Something so unfamiliar-gentleness-surged within me.

My fingers itched to run along the tattoos on his arms, and my mind started to drift to memories of last night.

“Oh, so now you’re all cozy?

You’re not fooling anyone, you know,” Summer’s disapproving growl rose in the back of my mind, laced with judgment.

“He’s just a fling, Tempest, not-” “Not now, Summer.” I shut her out, choosing this moment over her snide commentary.

But just as I turned back to him, Ryker’s eyelids fluttered, and he caught me staring.

A slow smile spread over his lips, pulling me close.

“Morning,” he murmured, his voice rough from sleep.

Before I could respond, his lips met mine-soft at first, but soon deepened, sending a warm thrill through me.  It was so unexpected that I froze, unsure how to react.

He must’ve felt it too, because he pulled back, eyes searching my face, his arm loosening.

“You know,” he said, sitting up slightly.

“I should probably head back.” His tone had a guarded edge, and I could feel the shift between us-that sudden distance.

“Why?” I asked, brow raised, studying his expression.

He looked down, exhaling slowly before meeting my gaze.

“Because Tempest€¦ let’s be real.

I know you’re just looking for a distraction, something temporary,” he said through clenched jaw.

“I get it, I do, but before this goes anywhere else€¦ with feelings involved, maybe it’s better if I go.” A pang of irritation and something else twisted inside me.

Was that all he thought this was?

That I was using him as a simple…

fling?

Without another word, I shifted, my hand trailing down his torso until I felt his sharp intake of breath as my fingers brushed against him.

His eyes widened in surprise as I leaned closer, straddling him.

“You want to leave?” I whispered, my hand slipping lower as his body reacted to my touch, and the tension between us thickened.

“I don’t think you do.” Ryker’s breath hitched, his gaze locked on mine, a mixture of surprise and raw intensity burning in his eyes.  For a moment, I thought he might pull back, but he didn’t.

Instead, his hand found my waist, holding me steady as his resolve seemed to melt under my touch.

“You sure about this?” he murmured, his voice rough with barely restrained desire.

The tension between us was electric, crackling in the space that existed only between him and me.

“You’re the one who said you needed to leave but I don’t think you’re ready to walk out that door.”