Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Adrian turned to me , his eyes glinting with dark amusement . " What shall we do with our friend here ? " I walked toward Primo , my heels clicking against the marble floor . His face - once so commanding , so assured of his own power - now twisted with rage and fear . The guns still pressed against his flesh . My hand cracked across his face , the sound sharp and satisfying . " Strip him of everything . His power , his authority , his dignity . " The words flowed from my lips with an ice I didn't know I possessed . " Make him a slave to the families . Let him serve those he once looked down upon . " Primo's eyes widened in horror . This was worse than death for a man like him - a man who'd built his entire identity on power and control . " And Yesha ? " Adrian asked , his voice soft 100 % 11:29 1/8 11:29 Chapter 31 but carrying an edge . " Let her live . " I turned back to face the room . " Let her watch as her precious Primo serves drinks and cleans floors . That will be punishment enough - to see the man she schemed so hard to control reduced to nothing . " The ruthlessness in my voice surprised even me . Where had this coldness come from ? But looking at Primo - the man who'd tried to break me , to cage me - I felt no remorse . Adrian's smile grew wider , darker . His gray eyes gleamed with pride as he watched me deliver judgment . " You continue to surprise me , my love . " He stepped closer , his presence both threatening and comforting . " Your capacity for ruthlessness is … magnificent . " The family heads nodded in approval . This was the kind of queen they could respect - one who understood that mercy sometimes meant choosing a fate worse than death . 100 % 11:29 2/8 Chapter 31 Primo slumped in his captors ' grip , finally understanding that his empire had crumbled , and his fall would be witnessed by all . I walked closer to Primo , letting him see the full weight of his defeat in my eyes . " You know what your biggest mistake was ? " I traced a finger along his jaw , the same way he used to do to assert his dominance over me . " You thought power meant making people fear you . But true power ? " I gripped his chin , forcing him to meet my gaze . " True power is having them choose to follow you , even when they have every reason to walk away . " Adrian shifted behind me , a dark presence that radiated approval . The family heads . leaned forward , hanging on my every word . " I didn't break free from you because I was stronger or smarter . " My voice carried through the silent room . " I broke free because you never understood the 100 % 11.29 3/8 984 hapter 31 difference between ownership and loyalty . You can chain someone's body , Primo , but their spirit ? " I released his chin with a sharp flick . " That's something that must be freely given . And you never earned mine ." The words rang through the marble hall , echoing off the walls like a death knell to Primo's reign . In that moment , I saw my own reflection in his eyes - not the scared girl he'd tried to possess , but the queen I'd become . Two months later , I walked down the aisle in a dress that cost more than most people's homes . The cathedral's stained glass cast colorful shadows across the marble floor , painting my white gown in jewel tones . My eyes found Primo at the edge of the crowd , wearing plain black clothes as he carried a tray of champagne flutes . His face remained carefully blank , but I caught the flash of despair in his eyes . How the mighty 100 % 11:29 4/8 Chapter 31 had fallen . But my attention quickly returned to Adrian waiting at the altar . His gray eyes blazed with an intensity that made my breath catch . Even here , in front of hundreds of guests , he maintained that dangerous grace that had first drawn me to him . The ceremony passed in a blur until we reached our vows . Adrian took my hands in his , his thumb brushing over my knuckles . " I vow to protect what's mine , " he said , hist voice carrying through the cathedral . " Not through force or fear , but through respect and loyalty freely given . You'll never be a prisoner , only my equal - my queen . " His lips curved into that dangerous smile I loved . " And together , we'll build an empire that will last generations . " I squeezed his hands , fighting back tears . " I vow to stand beside you , not behind you . To be your partner in both darkness and light . " My voice grew stronger . " You showed 100 % 11:29 5/8 11:29 Chapter 31 984 me that true power comes from trust , not control . And I promise to help you carry the weight of your crown , even on the days it feels heaviest . " As Adrian slipped the ring onto my finger , I caught Primo's eye again . He was watching us with a mixture of bitterness and dawning understanding . Finally , he was seeing what real partnership looked like - what he could have had if he'd learned to value loyalty over possession . The priest pronounced us husband and wife , and Adrian pulled me into a kiss that promised both tenderness and danger . The crowd erupted in applause , and I smiled against his lips , knowing that our real journey was just beginning . I leaned back in the leather chair of our private jet , watching Adrian review documents with that focused intensity I'd grown to love . The honeymoon had been perfect - three weeks of bliss in locations so 100 % 11:29 6/8 Chapter 31 exclusive they didn't appear on any map . But now it was time to return to business . " The Rossi family is getting bold , " I said , sliding a tablet across the table to him . " Their shipments are crossing into our territory . " Adrian's eyes flickered up , that dangerous gleam I knew so well dancing in their depths . " And what would you suggest , my queen ? " " Hit them where it hurts - their art collection . " I pulled up images of priceless . paintings . " They've been laundering money through gallery acquisitions . One anonymous tip to Interpol about forged . provenance documents … " A smile curved Adrian's lips . " Elegant . Simple . Devastating . " He reached across . and took my hand , his thumb tracing the scar on my palm that matched his own . " You truly are magnificent . " The pilot announced our descent into New 100 % 11:29 7/8 Chapter 31 York . As the city lights sparkled below us , Adrian's phone buzzed . His expression hardened as he read the message . " Problems ? " I asked . " The Rossis are hosting a gala tonight . They're planning to announce their expansion . " I straightened my blazer , checking my reflection in the window . " Then I suppose we should crash their party . " Adrian's smile turned predatory . " You know what they say in our world , love ? " I matched his expression , feeling that familiar thrill of danger . " Never let them see you coming . " " And ? " He raised an eyebrow . " Always leave them guessing who pulled the trigger . " THE END 100 % 11:29 8/8