Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 273

Chapter 273: The Soft Kisses
The sun had already begun to set, casting a golden hue over the grand estate. Asher’s car pulled up into the driveway, the engine humming smoothly before it came to a stop.

The butler dutiful stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Good evening, Mr. Moore. Mr. Scott is expecting you. He’s at the basement.”

Asher smirked slightly, adjusting the cuffs of his dark dress shirt as he stepped out of the car. “Seems like he didn’t leave the house today.”

Just then, Liam appeared from the side of the house, his expression neutral but his sharp eyes taking in Asher’s presence. “I shall escort you, Mr. Moore.” he said, motioning for Asher to follow.

They moved swiftly, avoiding the main entrance as Liam led him through a hidden path at the back of the house. The air grew colder as they descended the stone staircase leading to the basement, the faint scent of blood and sweat thick in the air.

When they stepped inside, the dim lighting cast eerie shadows along the walls. Xander was already seated comfortably in a chair, his legs crossed, a newspaper in his hands as if he were lounging in a café instead of a torture chamber.

On the floor, Daniel lay motionless except for the slow, labored rise and fall of his chest. His face was bruised, his clothes stained with dried blood, and the corner of his mouth glistened red. He was barely clinging to consciousness, but his lips remained tightly sealed.

Xander didn’t even look up from the newspaper. “Took you long enough.”

Asher chuckled, stepping closer and taking a good look at Daniel before shifting his gaze to Xander. “Looks like you’ve beaten him to a stupor already.”

Xander finally folded the newspaper and placed it aside. “And I didn’t even go hard on him.”

Asher let out a low laugh. “If this is you going easy, I’d hate to see what you’d look like when you’re serious.”

Liam placed a chair next to Xander. Asher took a seat, cracking his knuckles as he exhaled. “So, where do we start?”

Xander leaned back with a stubborn frown etched on his forehead. “Anywhere you want. He’s all yours.”

—

The sound of water dripping echoed in the silent basement. The flickering yellow light overhead buzzed faintly, casting elongated shadows against the cold concrete walls.

Daniel had endured hours of pain, his body broken in ways he hadn’t imagined possible. Xander and Asher had taken turns questioning him, their methods brutal yet calculated.

Each wrong answer earned him a fresh wound. Every silence was punished.

His breathing was ragged, his head swimming with dizziness, but still, he had refused to speak—until now.

His resolve had finally shattered.

With his swollen eyes barely open, Daniel gasped out a name. A single name.

Xander and Asher exchanged a glance, their sharp gazes locking before turning back to their captive.

And just like that, the dam broke.

Daniel spilled everything. The organization that had sent him. Their objectives. Their allies hidden in the shadows. Every question Xander and Asher threw at him, he answered with painful truth, his body trembling as he did so.

By the time he was done, silence filled the room.

The Reagent family truly deserved a standing ovation for their long decades of attempts to take power over Wing City.

Xander leaned back, exhaling through his nose. Asher sat beside him, arms resting on his knees, looking almost impressed.

After a moment, Xander extended his hand toward Asher. “Good work.”

Asher smirked and took it, giving a firm shake. “Likewise.”

With their mission finally completed, Xander’s eyes darkened as he turned back to Daniel, who was barely conscious. “He can’t be left alive.”

Asher nodded in agreement. “I’ll take care of it during transport tomorrow.”

Xander gave a short nod, satisfied. “Make sure the body is never found.”

“Consider it done,” Asher muttered, his voice carrying a promise.

Liam stepped forward, signaling two men to restrain Daniel again, just in case.

Asher and Xander finally stood, stretching out their limbs. The night had been long, but at least they had gotten what they came for.

And now, there was only one thing left to do.

—

Aurora was deep in sleep, her breathing slow and steady. The exhaustion from the day at Vintage Cellar had weighed her down, making her unconscious to the world.

So, she didn’t stir when the bedroom door quietly creaked open.

A tall, shadowed figure stepped inside, his movements silent as he approached the bed.

Xander.

With practiced ease, he slipped under the covers, his presence barely disturbing the sheets. Carefully, he reached for Aurora, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him.

She stiffened slightly in her sleep, but when his warmth surrounded her, her body instinctively relaxed. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she melted into his hold.

Xander pressed a gentle kiss against her temple, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. “I missed you,” he murmured against her skin, though he knew she couldn’t hear him.

For the first time in days, he finally felt at peace.

—

The Next Morning

The morning light streamed through the curtains, illuminating the room in a soft golden hue. The faint chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day.

Aurora stirred, stretching slightly before blinking her eyes open. She felt unusually warm, as if she had been wrapped in a cocoon of comfort all night.

But when she turned over, the space beside her was empty.

Her brows furrowed as she sat up, glancing around the room. There was no trace of Xander—except for the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the sheets.

Her eyes widened slightly.

The warmth. The firm embrace. The soft kisses.

It hadn’t been a dream.

“That sneaky man,” she muttered, her jaw tightening as she realized the truth.

He had been here. In their bed. Holding her while she slept, only to disappear before she could catch him.

Aurora clenched the duvet in her fists, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her.

He was impossible.

And yet… she hadn’t pulled away from him last night.

That fact alone irritated her more than anything else.