The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 91
Summer’s POV
Brandon’s lips moved against mine with a gentleness that contradicted everything I knew about him. My hands trembled as they Found their way to his shoulders, uncertain at first, then growing boller as he deepened the kiss.
When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless, clinging to his neck my forehead tested against his. My heart hammered against my ribs.
Brandon gently broke our connection and stepped out of the car, circling around to my side. When he pulled my door open, I just sat there, suddenly unsure of myself.
“Come here,” he said softly.
I let him guide me out. Brandon’s fingers brushed through my tangled hair before he pulled me against his chest. I sank into his embrace, my hands pressed against him, ear against his heart. The steady rhythm grounded me when everything else felt like spinning out of control.
“You’re bleeding,” I murmured, noticing the small cut at the corner of his mouth.
Brandon captured my hand when I reached to touch it. “It’s nothing.
Why aren’t you asking me what happened?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in that dangerous half–smile. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
His thumb traced my cheek, his expression darkening slightly. “They hit you.”
My body tensed as the scene at the hospital flashed through my mind – Elizabeth’s rage, her handprint still burning on my skin.
Brandon leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on my reddened cheek. “You don’t have to carry everything alone,” he said quietly. “You’re not alone anymore. You have me.”
I looked up at him. “Can we go now? I’m exhausted.”
‘Of course. Let’s go home.”
Home. The word hit me harder than I expected.
“Get some sleep when we get back,” he continued. “Whatever happened, we can deal with it tomorrow.”
“I don’t think I can sleep,” I admitted. “I’d rather just talk. That okay?
Brandon’s expression softened. “Of course.”
As we drove toward the Hamptons, I found myself watching Brandon’s profile.
“They found out Grandpa George transferred his Capital Corp shares to me,” I finally said. “They think I manipulated him into it. That’s why he had the stroke – they confronted him.”
Brandon nodded slightly. “That was expected. Your father won’t be in control as long as George is alive. Him wanting those, shares is natural.” His voice was calm. “What happened next?”
“Grandpa’s in the ICU.” My voice cracked. “They don’t know if he’ll wake up tomorrow. And now that they know about the shares,
1/3
Chapter 91
they won’t leave me alone.*
I stared out at the passing streetlights, “I always thought if I just kept giving in, things would never reach a breaking point. But today I realized it doesn’t matter how much I give up they’ll never be satisfied.”
We
Brandon reached over, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch anchored me.
“What do you want to do?” he asked simply.
The question caught me off guard. No one in my family had ever asked what I wanted. I took a deep breath.
“You said you’d help me, right?”
“Yes.” One simple word, carrying absolute certainty.
“I want to exchange the shares with you.”
Brandon’s eyes never left the road. “Whatever you want to do is fine
“You’re not even going to ask why?” I couldn’t help the disbelief in my voice. “Aren’t you worried that-*
“About what?” He cut me off gently. “I told you I’d help. Whatever you decide, I’ll be right behind you.”
want to exchange Grandpa’s shares for a stake in Stark Entertainment Group.”
“Not a problem. James can handle the details.” His tone was matter–of–fact. “You sure about this?”
I nodded. “Grandpa gave me those shares to protect me. But they’re bringing more trouble than security. I don’t know anything about running Capital Corp, and my family will throw obstacles at me every step.”
“Better to give them to an outsider,” Brandon agreed. “I’ll make sure they’re managed properly.”
“You’re not an outsider.” The words came out softer than intended. To my family, maybe. But not to me.”
His eyes met mine briefly, something warm flickering in their depths. “I know.”
Later that night, in Brandon’s home office, I watched him retrieve a folder from his safe.
“Is that for me?” I asked, noting the Stark Group letterhead. “Did you already prepare the exchange agreement?”
Brandon handed me the document. “It’s for you, but it’s not an exchange agreement.”
www.
I frowned. “Then what is it?”
“Remember at dinner when I said I had something for you? Seems we had similar ideas.
Confused, I opened the folder and scanned the first page a transfer of 20% ownership in Stark Entertainment Group, directly to
- me.
“Brandon, what is this?”
“We’ve been married for a while now, and I never gave you a proper wedding gift.” He spoke casually. “Consider this your bride price.”
“But this is…” I stared at the document. “This is way too much. I don’t need all this.“
2/3
Chapter 97
“Nothing is too valuable compared to you.” The intensity in his voice made me look up. “Your grandfather was right – money may he external, but that doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. You married me, and I won’t have you at a disadvantage.”
“But what about Grandpa’s shares-
“James will draft another agreement tomorrow,” he cut in smoothly. What your grandfather gave you was his gesture of love. What I’m giving you is mine.”
“Brandon,” I said softly, “why are you so good to me?”
His answer was immediate: “Because you deserve it.”
The words hit me hard. All my life, I’d been told I didn’t deserve things – not my family’s love, not Alexander’s loyalty, not even basic respect.
I circled the desk and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened momentarily before his arms came around me, holding me close.
“Brandon,” I murmured, “since you’re being so good to me, you have to stay that way forever. No changing your mind.” The childish demand made me blush. “My heart isn’t very big. It’s already been broken once. If you ever betray me, I don’t think I could forgive
you.”
His arms tightened. “I won’t. Not in this lifetime.”
For a long moment, we just stood there. Then, slowly, he loosened his grip, putting just enough distance between us to lift my chin.
“Are you sure?” The question was loaded with meaning, his dark eyes searching mine.
I knew exactly what he was asking.
“I’m sure,” I said, holding his gaze. “We’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”
“We are.” His voice dropped lower. “June, do you understand what you’re saying? Once we start this, there’s no going back. I won’t let you change your mind.”
The possessiveness in his tone should have frightened me. Instead, it made something warm unfurl in my chest.
My answer was to rise on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.
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