"Ah…that," Ian said without much emotion, brushing off her question. "It was nothing. Just luck. And before you start digging for answers, Diana, understand that you don't have to know everything. You're safe, be happy about that."
He was hiding something, Diana could tell from the shift of his tone and voice. His sudden all-seriousness.
"Speaking of which," Ian dragged a chair over to sit across her. "When are you divorcing Stefanos?"
She stared at him. "Mr. Basti, I don't recall ever telling you that I was going to leave my husband."
"But you will." There was too much certainty in his tone.
A deep sigh. "Mr. Basti, I am grateful that you—"
"What is wrong with you, Diana?" he interrupted, his gaze locking onto hers. "Why won't you leave him? He hurts you."
Her eyes widened slightly at his words. "It's not that simple."
"Do you want to leave him?"
"Yes." The word came out without hesitation. "I'm not some masochist that enjoys pain. But this is not just about me. My father is under their family and…if I leave Stefanos, he'll lose everything. He already resents me, I don't want to imagine what comes next if I do this."
Ian exhaled harshly, jaw twitching, he could almost roll his eyes to the back of his head in frustration. "So you're willing to allow Stefanos to keep breaking you because of your father? The one that hurt you?"
Diana stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
"The bruises," he replied coldly. "You think I wouldn't notice?"
Her gaze dropped instantly to her stomach and a frown emerged in between her soft eyebrows.
"That is none of your business," she whispered.
"Oh, it is my business," Ian said, voice low and dark. "Very deeply, actually. And you don't even want to know just how."
"You're insufferable," she muttered.
"And I'll keep being that way until you listen to me." His voice dropped further. "I will not allow you to break yourself for a father that doesn't give two fucks about you. Lose that bastard, Stefanos, or I'll do it for you."
Diana's darkened lashes fluttered over her cheeks and she exhaled.
"What do you even want from me?" she asked, voice barely audible. "I don't get it. You act like I…"
"Like you what?" Ian stood suddenly, erasing the space between them. "Like you belong to me? News flash, sweet doll, yes you do. Even better, you're mine and that fucking bastard stole you from me."
Anyone of his kind could pretend humans didn't feel the mate bond like they did, but that wasn't true. His mere nearness was literally causing her shortage of breath. Her chest was rising and falling in a quick rhythm, throat working in a sweet swallow. And he could bet on his life no man had ever earned that reaction from her.
"You…are cursing again," she murmured, blinking rapidly. "I told you to stop. It's a bad habit."
This human.
Even if she was his mate, what the heck was she doing to him?
"Fine, I'm sorry for my bad language. Happy now?"
She made no response, but her expression softening was an indication she was pleased by his apology.
"Let me help you," Ian said.
Silence.
"Diana."
But Diana wouldn't respond not even after he waited for a minute, just the sound of their breathing echoing in the room.
Frustration prickled under his skin and with a grunt, he turned on his heel, ready to walk out—
Her hand found his finger, grabbing.
He paused.
She looked up at him. "Okay," she said. "Help me, Ian."
The man's eyes softened. "Good girl."
He smiled. "Now, we're talking."
———
It's been three days and Diana has been nowhere to be seen.
Her father, Giancarlo Sorin had searched high and low for her, calling countless times but she was not answering her calls.
Meanwhile, at the Rassi business company, Stefanos sat spinning slowly in his office chair and staring at the ceiling in quiet contemplation.
A knock suddenly came at his door, pulling him from his thoughts. He stopped and lowered his gaze.
"Come in."
The door creaked open. A bodyguard dressed in an all-black suit stepped in and gave a small bow.
"Well?" Stefanos asked, "Did you find my wife?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where is she?"
The bodyguard seemed reluctant to answer.
Stefanos's voice sharpened. "Don't waste my time, Nikolai. Where is my wife?"
"Ian Basti." Nikolai swallowed. "She is with Ian Basti."
Stefan paused. He rubbed his lips and slowly smiled.
"So I wasn't wrong," he mumbled. "Of course, she's with Ian Basti. I was wondering where my dear little wife would be."
"What should I do, sir?" Nikolai asked. "Should I bring her back?"
"Bring her back?" Stefanos laughed. "Nikolai, my wife is a tough nut to crack. You try to drag her back, she'll fight you and the moment she does, you'll be forced to kill her. She doesn't know how dangerous we are yet, and that is why she's reckless with me. It's…funny, honestly."
Nikolai furrowed his brows. "Then what should I do, boss?"
"Nothing. She'll return to me on her own." Stefan's smile widened. "Let me handle it."
Without another word, Nikolai bowed and left the room.
As the door closed, Stefanos leaned back in his chair, propped his feet on the desk, and pulled out his phone.
He dialed.
[Hello?]
"Oh, hi, Mr. Giancarlo. I'm sure you know who this is, don't you?"
[Stefanos Rassi. Of course, I do. How could I not?]
"Good. Good."
[How may I help you?]
"Diana is still missing, isn't she?"
[Yes. I haven't been able to reach her since three days ago]
"Is that so?" Stefanos hummed. "Well, I know where your daughter is. Would you like to know?"
[Yes…?]
"Ian Basti. Your daughter is currently at Ian Basti's penthouse. Didn't think she'd go running to another man, did you?"
[That's impossible. Diana isn't like that. Even as you've been cheating on her, she wouldn't stoop that—]
"I've been doing what now?" he interrupted sharply.
Giancarlo went silent on the other side of the phone.
"No, go on," Stefanos said, his voice icy. "Finish your sentence, Mr. Giancarlo. I've been doing what? Cheating on your daughter? But that isn't right. I've merely been having a bit of fun. Surely, you don't think otherwise?"
[Of course not] Giancarlo replied quickly, voice trembling. [I misspoke]
"I thought so too."
A chuckle escaped Stefanos's lips.
"I want you to do something for me. Have Diana come to my house within twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours Mr. Giancarlo, nothing more."
[Okay. But…your house?]
"What? Is there a problem?" he questioned smoothly. "Diana is my wife. She belongs to me. Or is it because I've allowed her to live away from me all this while? Well, I'm done playing house from a distance. I'm ready to be a husband now, so bring her back to me. Don't make me repeat myself. Are we clear?"
A beat of silence.
[Yes. I'll see to it]