The Billionaire’s Bargain Bride

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CENRIC

“Where the fuck is my wife?” I yelled at the three of them. They were the best, and I just proudly told Toby, yet a woman who was not capable of escaping managed to sneak out from them in broad daylight. “Are you all just gonna fucking look at me?”

“There’s only one thing I think she would do,” Beck replied. “She’s going to meet her brother.”

“I can find her if you let me use a computer,” Toby suggested.

“No!” we chorused.

“Okay.” He cowered into his seat.

“Let me find her,” William offered.

“No need,” I told him. “I can’t believe my finest men just get played by a woman.” I fished out my phone and tapped on the app.

“Your wife is a smart woman. You just underestimated her, sir,” Devin said.

I lifted my gaze from the screen to him. “I’m not asking for your compliment and opinion. And, of course, my wife is smart. Why else would I marry a beautiful but lacking intelligence?” I focused on the screen again. “Jesus Christ, Sadie.”

“What is it?” Beck asked. My two stupid best friends also came to me.

“No, no, no. You didn’t—” Linden pursed his lips, unimpressed. “She will kill you, man.”

“Why? For protecting my own?” I glared at him.

“You can ping her phone. And this is a violation of her rights and trust.” Beck shook his head in disappointment.

“I don’t see it’s your fucking business. I’ll do however I see fit. She’s my wife, and I didn’t know her very well back then. Given her history, I have to keep her insight.”

“I still disagree with this.” Devin shrugged, clearly, disagreeing with my way of keeping my woman on tabs.

“Did I ask your opinion, Devin?”

He shrugged again. “No, sir. I know nothing in this job is easier. But if she finds out, and she eventually will, she’s gonna be so pissed off with you. She’s a smart woman, sir. With all due respect. I’m gonna shut my mouth now.”

“Is this what I think it is?” It was William.

“Hey, geeky. Stay out of your boss boss boss’ business. This is above your pay grade. Anything you see and hear, this goes down on you two, geniuses.” Linden pointed at Toby as well. “And will not get out of this room.”

“Of course. What happens here stays here. Got it.”

“I’m going to get my wife.”

“You Linden will babysit Cerf and Kahn. Devin and I will go with the big bad wolf. He doesn’t think straight when it comes to his wife.” Beck followed me to the door.

“I pretend I didn’t hear that.”

At the car, I remained calm even if my blood was simmering inside. I just specifically told her to stay put that we were in this together to figure out how to deal with Jasper. She didn’t take my words seriously. Instead, she did what I just told her not to, by putting herself at risk and making everyone worry.

“I know that look, man.” Devin talked to Beck.

“She knows what she’s doing.” Beck kept on looking at me through the rearview.

“Just fucking drive.” I clenched my jaw hard enough not to scream out my frustration. I had enough conscience that kept me awake at night, and my wife would like to add more to it.

“He’s not gonna hurt her public.”

“Well, then you know nothing about that son of a bitch. He could drug her, take her somewhere, and hit her. When we found her, she’s already beaten to death.” I blinked fast when my eyes started to burn.

“You always think of the worse scenario, don’t you? You failed once, yeah, but it was not your fault, and it doesn’t mean you will fail again. Everything is not in your hands, C. She also knows what she’s doing. She wants to help.”

“Yeah, tell her that,” I cursed under my breath. “Damn it, Sadie. She couldn’t stay put and do it with me. Jesus, I had never met a woman who defied me. She will—” I pursed my lips and sighed exasperatingly as I looked outside the window.

“Says pot to the kettle.”

“Because you never met someone like her, and you’ve never been in love. Your emotions are still foreign to you.”

“I didn’t say I’m in love.” Jesus! My chest constricted so painfully. “I’m pissed off because she’s reckless!”

“You don’t have to, sir.”

“So you two are best buddies now? You might as well share recipes.” I swore I just saw Devin smile no matter how hard he tried to hide it from me. Unbelievable.

“I have eyes and ears. Those senses I can’t shut off. Deny all you can, but you are madly and deeply in love with your wife. That’s not such a bad thing, C.”

“I agree with you, man.” Wow! They suddenly became best fucking pals. Beck just broke his nose, yet, they were about to make a blood pact together.

I shook my head in disbelief.

“You’re taking strength from her. When you think her life is in danger, your feelings play a huge role—how you act, not your instinct. I understand why your judgment is clouded when it comes to Sadie.”

He would not just shut his mouth up. I knew what he was doing—he was taunting me—that what I did was unethical. And, at the same time, he was shoving the idea into my face that I was madly in love with Sadie.

“Just shut the fuck up, Corbin. I have enough of this shit for the day.”

He looked at me one more time. “I love you too, bro. I got the feeling that this is gonna be a very long day.”

I ignored him. I didn’t know why he was so calm while I couldn’t even breathe. I was choking with so much pressure and emotions I lost control.

Yeah, he was right on one thing, I was madly in love with my wife. I had cared and loved, but I had never been this madly in love I couldn’t think straight. And I didn’t know if this was a good or a bad thing.

I looked at my phone again. We were close. Good thing, though, Sadie stayed in one place, and at the same time, it terrified me why she wasn’t moving. According to the location ping showing on the screen, she was in the cafe.

“You’re probably right. She’s going to meet that asshole.”

“Why don’t you just call her phone?” Devin asked.

“She’s just gonna find out that I know she’s gone and that we are looking for her.”

“If she doesn’t want to be found, she would probably turn off her phone, or if she’s in danger, her brother already broke or threw it away.” I agreed with Beck.

I located her phone. “It’s on.”

“That’s good news. Stop thinking negatively. She’s going to be alright. She’s one of the strongest women I know.”

“I know, Beck.” I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes, and thought of her. She meant the world to me. I hoped she knew that even if I hadn’t told her.

I shook my head. Sometimes, you had realized your biggest regret was not telling the person you care about how much they meant to you until it was too late. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me.

“We’re here. Don’t approach unless—”

“I fucking know.”

Before I could climb out, Beck called my name.

“What?” I was still pissed off and terrified.

“I would not let anything happen to her, brother.”

For a moment, I froze, in shock, that he also cared about my wife the way he cared for me. I nodded.

“I’ll stay and watch your six.” Devin stayed in the car.

We silently stepped into the cafe like any other customer. Before we got in, we did not see Jasper’s men. I would be surprised if he came alone. He was always cautious all the time, given his way of living.

I instantly spotted my wife and Jasper at the corner, but they had not seen us yet—it was an advantage.

I occupied a table away from my wife. Beck chose the empty stool and ordered whatever he preferred and black coffee for me.

The siblings were definitely in a heated argument, but I was relieved that she was fine and did a great job facing the demon sitting across her.

I grew impatient as I listened to their conversations. At the back of my head, I could feel Beck was shooting a glare at me, saying to stay put.

My coffee arrived. I tried to sip it even if my full attention at Sadie. When my wife started talking back, I put my coffee down.

Saide was just full of surprises. I felt my lips curve into a smile. She made me proud for standing up against her brother. For the first time, I agreed with her coming over and showing Jasper who she was.

I should have trusted and believed in her more.

Before my smile faded, Sadie turned around. As if she knew I was there and where to find me. She gave me a question-look.

I stood up and walked to their table. “I miss my wife. I swear I was just talking to the two idiots.” I joined them, pecking her on the lips. “When I turned around, she was gone. I thought she went out for coffee or bought something rather than listening to me chiding my geniuses but stupid employees.”

“Cenric.” Jasper’s tone was cold, with no traces of conscience or guilt. This motherfucker had the guts.

I met his gaze as I showed him a lack of interest. “My wife said what she wanted to tell you. In less than five minutes, if you won’t leave the premises, the cops will arrive and arrest you for plotting a terrorist attack and plotting damage to private property. And intimidation alone can lock you up, up to two years.” I exaggerated a little, but I was tired of seeing him intimidating my wife, and I didn’t want to see his face again.

He tapped his fingers on the table. “This is not over.”