Daniel brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it as the door opens. The driver steps back to let us out and Daniel gets out first. He helps me out then tucks me against his arm in a possessive hold. I glance over and see a few local news reporters and I look away, not wanting their attention, but it’s too late because I hear them call Daniel’s name.

“Is it true? You’re not really married?” My head turns back to look at them wondering how they know.

The wedding I planned is small and intimate. I told everyone we were finally doing a ceremony to celebrate and the only people who know about us not being married are my family and close friends. Daniel tenses at the question and I turn my head so they can’t get a picture.

“Let it be,” I whisper, knowing I need to calm him. “You’re my husband and my everything,” I remind him, and he kisses the top of my head as a silent thank you before leading me inside and out of the cold.

When we enter, the party is already in full swing. Daniel snags me a glass of champagne and I hold the glass, not taking a sip. I haven't told Daniel I stopped taking the pill and it’s too soon for me to be pregnant, but I don't want to chance it. Telling him is going to be my Christmas surprise and I know he’ll be thrilled. It’s hard to shop for him, but I know this would mean more to him than anything. I’m ready and I want to start our lives together in every way.

His eyes flick to my glass then back to me, and I wonder if he’s already onto me. The man notices everything and it’s probably why he’s so good in business. He’s always two steps ahead. It’s comforting but at the same time it can be fun to try and get ahead of him every now and then.

I bring the glass to my mouth and pretend to take a sip. I don’t think he’s buying it, but at that moment I see my stepmother moving towards us the same time he does. I watch as he tenses all over again, making me wonder if something is wrong. I know he doesn't care for my stepmother or father, but he doesn't hide it like he used to. Normally he’s dismissive, but right now he’s angry.

“Daniel,” Linda says and gives him a curt nod.

She doesn't even try to do the air kisses with him anymore. I hoped the past few days would have helped break the ice since I spent most of my time telling her how wonderful Daniel is. She tried to talk me out of marrying him, telling me it would tarnish my name and our family’s legacy. It cut deep when she added in that it had already happened enough by me existing.

She’s said hateful things over the years, but that was the absolute worst. I’m starting to wonder why I even try, and now it’s getting harder to bite my tongue; more so when it comes to my Daniel. His arm around me tightens, making me remember this is about having a family.

“We’re seated over there.” Linda motions to a table where I see my father sitting with Carmela. I have to fight my eye roll and sarcastic comments. “Come, they’ve just served the salad. It’s rude to be late, and this is all you’re allowed to eat if you're going to fit into that wedding dress.” She walks away from us towards the table and Daniel lunges after her.

“I’ll fucking—” he starts, and I place a hand on his chest.

“Daniel,” I hiss and force him to look at me.

“I swear if that—”

I cut him off the only way I know how—by putting my lips on his.

He growls against my mouth and kisses me back, and by the time I’m satisfied he won’t go charging after her I’m breathless and needy. I reach up to wipe away the lipstick I left on him, but he stops me by grabbing my hand and lacing my fingers with his.

“She gets that one.” His eyes lock with mine. “I’ll do anything for you, Blakely, but I won’t listen to someone disrespect you. That’s a hard line.”

I nod in agreement because that’s a battle I won’t win with him and he’s right. How do things keep getting worse? No matter what I do, nothing changes.

He leads me over to the table and holds out my chair for me while I sit down. I open my mouth to say hello to my father, who didn’t even bother to get up, but he beats me to it.

“You’re late,” he blurts out.

“Your observation skills are getting better, John,” Daniel says as he grabs the back of my chair and scoots me closer to him. It makes a loud scratching sound as it drags along the floor, and I’d laugh, but Linda’s face stops me. “I’m sure they’ll still take our check,” Daniel adds as he drapes his arm over the back of my chair and leans back casually.

“You want something else to drink, dream girl?” he asks, giving me all of his attention.

“I’m good.” I pick up the water on the table and take a sip.

The table is quiet for a moment before Carmela starts speaking. I sigh as I lean into Daniel and eat my salad. His thumb strokes my neck back and forth as the table moves into easy conversation. Daniel makes idle chat with Benjamin, who is sitting to his left. He’s an older man I know he’s worked with in the past and I’m glad he has someone to talk to.

“So I heard,” Carmela whispers loudly to get my attention.

“I think it’s a sign,” Linda adds as she takes a sip of her wine.

Carmela nods in agreement, and I don’t know why she cares if I’m with Daniel or not. It could be the fact that my husband is a catch and hers is an all-round asshole who shows his true colors after he has a few too many.

“It’s a sign we need a wedding to celebrate with everyone,” I say with cheer in my voice.

“Really? I didn’t get an invite.” Carmela’s comment is snotty and it grates my skin.

“It’s a very small ceremony with just family. It’s on Christmas Day, and I wouldn’t want to intrude on anyone else’s holiday plans.” I level her with a look as irritation gets the best of me, but Carmela only takes it as a challenge.

“Is he going to make you sign a prenup this time?” Even my stepmother’s mouth drops open at Carmela’s blatantly rude question right at the table.

Before I can answer, a hand slams down, making the whole table shake. Some of the glasses fall over and their contents spill onto the silk tablecloth. Everyone but me gasps and the room goes silent.

“No, I trust Blakely and I’d never ask her to do that.” His eyes flick between my father and Carmela’s husband. “Only a man who fears losing his money more than his wife would have her do that. If she were to sign anything it would be that our marriage is unbreakable even by a judge.” He leans back, lifting his hand from the table. “See, I can give veiled insults, too.”

“Daniel,” my father warns.

“John.” Daniel throws back his own warning and he sounds deadlier.

“She isn’t your wife yet. If I were you, I’d watch myself,” my father says, and my eyes widen.

“Oh god,” I whisper, knowing this isn’t going to end well.

Carmela and my stepmother are still silent, and Carmela’s husband doesn’t say a word.

“I’m sorry, Blakely,” Daniel says to me as he takes my hand and squeezes it.

My heart skips a beat and my eyes follow him as he stands from his chair and towers over me. I don’t know how he does it, but he seems bigger than life right now as aggression rolls off him. He turns to face my father and leans in closer to him.

“I warned you about acting as if you have control over her.” Daniel’s voice booms through the large ballroom.

My eyebrows draw together, not knowing what he is talking about. I look to my father, whose face is turning red. I’m not sure if it’s embarrassment or anger.

“That’s rich coming from you, Daniel. Since you found out you’re not really married you look like you’re about to lose it. You can’t handle it, can you? You have to make sure everyone knows what’s yours. You’re fucking crazy,” my father sputters and glances around the room at the scene that’s developing.

“He’s not crazy,” I breathe out, but no one hears me. Okay, maybe he’s a little crazy, but I’d never fault him for that because I feel the same way about him.

“I wouldn’t expect you to understand. You weren’t so lucky in love nor do you understand devotion. It’s funny how that’s translated to your life in business and why I keep having to bail you out of trouble,” Daniel says to him.

“Daniel?” I say, and he looks down at me. His eyes meet mine and I can tell with one look that what he said is the truth. But why would he be bailing my father out of trouble? I know he doesn’t care for him. The truth comes quickly because everything he does comes back to me. He loves me and he would do that to make sure nothing in my world was touched.

“Why are you so high and mighty?” Linda scolds. “I saw the email he sent you. I know you took John up on his offer for you to have her as mistress for repayment.”

I jerk back as though I’ve been slapped. I stare at my father in shock and wait for him to call Linda a liar. The seconds drag on, and the longer it takes, the louder my heart beats.

“I didn’t think you’d actually do it,” Linda says with so much smugness in her voice. “They said you were trustworthy and always did the right thing. That you were an asshole but you were honorable.” She shakes her head and I see her cheeks become red with anger. “But you saved his ass once again! You should have let him fall on his fucking face!” Linda screams and stands up from the table. I watch and for the first time in my life I see true emotion cross her face.

My father looks as shocked as everyone else at the table except Daniel.

“I would be a fucking fool to have not taken her, not that it matters. She wasn’t yours to give because her soul belongs with mine.” His words are filled with possession and my heart calls to his.

A moment of silence goes through the room and I look at my father. “Do you have anything to say?” When he says nothing an arm comes around my waist and without looking I know it’s Daniel. He pulls me to my feet and my back rests against his front.

“You don’t deserve her,” he says, his deep voice vibrating against me and giving me strength. “She’s the only reason I haven’t let everything in your world crumble away while you toss money at all your shitty investments.”

“You offered me up like a piece of property? That’s all I am to you,” I say, and the room is so quiet now everyone can hear me.

My stepmother rolls her eyes annoyed at my question, but my father is the one to answer.

“You would’ve been happy; just look at you now.” My father dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “Besides, I got it taken care of. You’re not married anymore.” My father stands from his chair and before I can blink Daniel is in front of me and in my father’s face.

“We’ll talk about this at our meeting,” my father says as he straightens his coat like this is just a misunderstanding.

“What meeting?” I ask, but I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“There’s no meeting,” Daniel says.

“If you want to marry my daughter-”

“Want?” Daniel laughs, cutting him off. “I will marry your daughter, John. And there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it.”

I gasp when I’m lifted up and tossed over Daniel's shoulder, thankful I have on a full-length dress that covers me as he carries me from the ballroom and out of that horrible scene.

I smile to myself as I think about someone trying to stand in the way of Daniel. He’s a force of nature and nothing will get between us. Want? Yeah, that was the wrong word.