Beverly's POV

I stared at the white sundress hanging on my door. It appeared sometime during the night, along with shoes and accessories. Simple but elegant. Nothing like the monstrosity I'd worn yesterday.

Was it really only yesterday? It felt like a lifetime ago.

"Beverly? We leave in an hour," Bruce called through the door.

An hour to prepare for my second wedding in two days. At least this time I knew the groom was a liar up front. He was hiding something about the mate bond, about knowing for years. But that was his business. This was just a transaction.

I got ready quickly. No elaborate hair and makeup this time. Just me, nervous and slightly nauseous, about to marry a virtual stranger.

Bruce was waiting in the living room, looking unfairly handsome in a charcoal suit. His eyes went dark when he saw me.

"You look beautiful."

"It's just a sundress."

"That's not what I meant."

The ride to the courthouse was silent. His assistant, James, and lawyer, Sandra, met us there. They seemed unsurprised by the sudden wedding, which meant Bruce had been planning this longer than he admitted.

The ceremony was nothing like yesterday's planned extravaganza. No flowers, no music, no guests. Just legal words and paper signing.

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the judge asked Bruce.

"I do."

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I hesitated. This was crazy. Insane. But Marcus's threats and Mom's debt flashed through my mind.

"I do."

"You may kiss the bride."

We both froze. Somehow neither of us had thought about this part.

Bruce stepped closer. "It's just for show," he whispered.

He cupped my face gently and pressed his lips to mine. It was supposed to be quick, professional. But the moment our lips met, the mate bond roared to life. Fire raced through my veins. My wolf howled. His hands tightened on my face as he deepened the kiss.

Someone cleared their throat. We jumped apart, both breathing hard.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard," the judge said with an amused smile.

Mrs. Leonard. What had I done?

Outside the courthouse, photographers were waiting. Bruce pulled me closer, his arm around my waist.

"Smile," he murmured. "We're madly in love, remember?"

"How did they know?"

"I might have tipped them off."

"You what?"

"We need the world to know we're married. Fast and public means no questions about the timeline."

Flashes went off. Questions shouted. Bruce guided me to the car, shielding me from the worst of it.

"That was horrible," I said once we were safe inside.

"That was nothing. Wait until tonight."

"Tonight?"

"The announcement party. Just family and close friends."

"You didn't mention a party."

"I'm mentioning it now."

"I can't meet your family! I don't know anything about you!"

"Here." He handed me a folder. "Everything you need to know."

I opened it to find a detailed biography. Birthday, favorite foods, business history, family tree.

"You made me a study guide?"

"I made us both one. Yours is at the penthouse."

"This is insane."

"This is necessary."

We pulled up to Leonard Industries headquarters.

"Why are we here?"

"You need to meet my grandfather. He's in the hospital wing."

"Your building has a hospital wing?"

"Grandfather likes to be close to work, even when dying."

The elevator ride felt endless. Bruce was tense beside me, his jaw clenched.

"You really love him," I observed.

"He raised me after my parents died. He's all the family I have left."

"Bruce..." I touched his arm without thinking. The bond purred at the contact.

"Don't." He pulled away. "Please. This is hard enough."

The hospital wing was more like a luxury hotel with medical equipment. In the bed was an elderly man, thin and pale but with eyes just as silver as Bruce's.

"Grandfather," Bruce said softly. "I want you to meet someone."

The old man's eyes found me. "The mate."

Bruce went rigid. "How did you—"

"I'm dying, not stupid. I can smell the bond from here." He studied me. "You're not what I expected."

"Grandfather—"

"She's running from something," the old man continued. "And you're lying to her about something. This should be interesting."

"We just got married," Bruce said through gritted teeth.

"I know. I have CNN." He gestured to the TV, where our courthouse kiss was playing on repeat. The headline read: "Billionaire Bruce Leonard's Secret Wedding Shocks High Society."

"It wasn't supposed to air this fast," Bruce muttered.

"Money talks," his grandfather and I said in unison. The old man laughed, which turned into coughing.

"I like her," he said when he recovered. "What's your name, child?"

"Beverly."

"Beverly Leonard now. How does that feel?"

"Terrifying."

He laughed again. "Good. Bruce needs someone who isn't afraid to be honest. Everyone else just tells him what he wants to hear."

"Grandfather, you should rest."

"I'll rest when I'm dead. Which won't be long. So let me enjoy meeting my new granddaughter." He patted the bed. "Sit. Tell me about yourself."

I sat and found myself telling him everything. About Marcus, the failed wedding, my father leaving. He listened without judgment.

"You're brave," he said when I finished. "Walking away took courage."

"Or stupidity."

"Same thing sometimes." He looked at Bruce. "You'll protect her?"

"With my life."

"Good. Because something's coming. I can feel it."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

But he was already drifting off to sleep.

Bruce led me out, his face troubled.

"What did he mean something's coming?"

"He's been saying things like that lately. The doctors think it's the medication."

But I could tell Bruce didn't believe that. And neither did I.

Back at the penthouse, a team of stylists was waiting.

"For tonight," Bruce explained. "They'll help you get ready."

"I can dress myself."

"Not for this crowd. They'll eat you alive if you show any weakness."

"Comforting."

He paused at my door. "Beverly, about the kiss..."

"It meant nothing," I said quickly. "Just the bond messing with us."

"Right. Just the bond."

But we both knew we were lying.

The stylists worked their magic, transforming me into someone I didn't recognize. The dress was midnight blue, worth more than a car. The shoes were designed. The jewelry was real diamonds.

"You look like a billionaire's wife," the lead stylist said proudly.

I looked like a fraud.

Bruce was waiting when I emerged. He'd changed into a tux, looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine.

"Ready?" he asked.

"No."

"Good. Neither am I."

As we headed to the elevator, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. I opened it and gasped.

It was a photo of Bruce and me at the courthouse, but my face had been X'd out in red. Below it:

*You stole what was mine. Now I'll steal everything from you.*

"What is it?" Bruce asked.

I showed him the phone. His face went dark, dangerous.

"Marcus?"

"Who else could it be?"

He made a call. "Find Marcus Williams. Now."

"Bruce, you're scaring me."

"Good. You should be scared. Because whoever sent this just declared war. And they have no idea who they're messing with."

The elevator doors opened to the parking garage. A limo was waiting.

"Bruce, maybe we should cancel tonight."

"No. We show them we're not afraid. We show them you're under my protection now."

"I didn't sign up for this."

"You signed up the moment you became my wife."

As the limo pulled away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just made the biggest mistake of my life. Or maybe the best decision.

Time would tell which.