Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida

ChapterThirty

Drake was still flyinghigh days after their fantastic night at the club. Now that they were cemented as Dominant and submissive, it was time their marriage received the same treatment. He went to the same jeweler who made Alessandra’s custom collar and ordered an eternity wrist cuff to wear over her scars. It was diamond-studded to look similar to a diamond tennis bracelet.

For the first time, he envisioned forever with someone. He was busy ring-shopping to propose to Alessandra. At times he couldn’t fathom how messy their marriage began. She was a bride without a proposal, and it was time to rectify that. He planned to take her on a second honeymoon to a private island where they could be naked the entire time. They could make love on the beach under the stars, in the bed, or on any other surface in the private bungalow where the mood struck.

Drake worked up the courage to tell Alessandra he loved her for the first time. He’d wanted to say it in the bath at the club, but he hadn’t wanted her to feel as though he was only saying it because she was naked in his collar.

Alessandra deserved the best in life. He had overheard her talking about her dream wedding when she thought he wasn't listening, and he was determined to make it happen for her. His stomach churned at the thought of her running away. But if she ran, he would follow her to the ends of the earth.

* * *

The Russo casewas officially resolved. Marcello was set to be released within the next twenty-four hours. In the end, Jerry had no choice but to dismiss the charges. The whole trial was a shit show.

The district attorney requested a meeting with him.

“Thank you for meeting me, Mr. Walker. Please have a seat.” Alan Foxx, a stately-looking man with silver hair and a strong jaw that matched his steely gaze, held out his hand, indicating it wasn’t a suggestion. Drake looked at the man he once respected, who now held the future of his career in his hands.

“I’ve been following your career for some time, Mr. Walker, and your track record has been impressive.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Alan leaned forward and laced his fingers, resting his hands on the desk in front of him.

“The Russo case was always a long shot. Putting the son of a crime boss behind bars would’ve been a huge win for the city. Saying I’m disappointed with the outcome is an understatement.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you—”

The man lifted a hand to stop Drake.

“The deck was stacked against you. I read the transcripts and followed the case. I have no issue with the way you handled yourself. That being said, the U.S. Attorney’s office has denied your application. I’m afraid I cannot promote you to Assistant District Attorney either.”

“May I ask why?”

“Your affiliation with the Russo family is cause for concern. I can’t allow their power and influence to infiltrate this office.”

“With all due respect, my marriage has no effect on my ability to perform my job.”

“I appreciate your commitment to your position. Unfortunately, my decision has been made. I appreciate your dedication to the law and hope you continue to have a successful career.”

A dumbfounded Drake didn’t know how to respond. The first thing to pop into his mind was the word divorce. If he and Alessandra were no longer together, that would show how committed he was to his job.

Since Alessandra entered his life, the law wasn’t as black and white as it seemed. If you had asked him a month ago what he would choose at the crossroad, the answer would’ve been obvious. But now things had changed.

“It was an honor to be considered,” he said.

Drake couldn’t allow his composure to slip, but inside he was seething. Anthony Russo had succeeded in ruining his career while simultaneously giving him the greatest gift in his life.

Needing to lick his wounds, Drake returned to the office instead of home. Opening the door, he was immediately confronted with another problem.

“What do you want, Riley?”

His ex sat in his office chair wearing a trench coat, stockings, and fuck-me pumps. Her blonde hair fell below her shoulders. Clearly, she’d had work done while in Europe. Her nose was slightly narrowed, her lips fuller, and her breasts enhanced.

She slipped off the coat and hopped on his desk in a black corset and panties. Her hand extended out, beckoning him closer.

“Come to me, lover.”

“I haven’t been your lover since high school, remember? Even then, the term is used loosely.”

“That’s not true. We’re having a baby, Drake.”

“I don’t know if you’re making shit up or just delusional. In case you’ve forgotten, I never fucked you.” He spoke crassly.

“Poor Alessandra was hurt to find out you’d been unfaithful.”

Drake grabbed Riley by the shoulders, his strong fingers tightened as he said, “You stay away from her, puttana!”

“Oh, I’m so scared,” she shivered dramatically. “I’m not afraid of your empty threats.”

“If you don’t stay away from my wife, you’ll regret it.”

“What are you going to do, Drago?”

Drake dropped his hands and immediately stepped back as though punched in the gut. Only a handful of people knew his true identity, and Riley was never one of them. His past was buried so deep that not even Tony Russo had uncovered the truth. The fact that she knew meant only one thing…

“What did you call me?” he hissed.

Riley grinned like the cat that ate the canary. She approached him slowly and looked at his crotch as she ran her hand over his torso. She raised on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, “That’s right, love. I know the truth. And if you want your secret to stay with me, I suggest you fall in line.”

She sucked his earlobe into her mouth and tugged. Drake grabbed her hand as it moved to his belt buckle. And squeezed in warning.

“Back the fuck off, immediately. I mean it, Riley. I’m not in the mood for games.”

“We can work this out very easily…. If you want me to disappear, I want ten million dollars. A monthly stipend for all my living expenses, too.”

“I won’t allow you to blackmail me,” he said gruffly.

Riley dug into her purse and pulled a sonogram out. She thrust it against his chest. He snatched it and crumpled it in his fist.

“You wouldn’t leave the woman carrying your child destitute, would you?” She pouted while fluttering her eyelashes.

“You’re insane! If you’re even pregnant, we both know that child isn’t mine.”

“And we both know that there is someone who can ensure I have the proof that says you are the father.”

Drake’s eyes clouded like a thunderstorm and the beast rose to the surface. His posture changed instantly, adding a menacing air to him.

“Do not fuck with me, Riley. I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation you’re stepping into.”

“Did you forget our families wanted us to get married?”

“You can’t play both sides, Riley. If you threaten me, it will only end badly for you. I’m done playing by the rules. I am my father’s son. I will do whatever it takes to protect my wife.”

Riley began to tremble before Drake as he loomed over her, emphasizing every last word. Love made him lose his mind. It was getting harder to control his impulses despite everything he’d been through.

The threat Riley posed was the one that would hurt his wife the most. He couldn’t have that—something needed to be done. The question was if he could live with himself after.

“Come near my wife again, and I will bury you.”