Chapter 5

Elena's POV

I snapped at the sudden grip around my waist, pulling me backward toward a manly figure. My hand rested on his chest, my breaths coming out in ragged gasps as I thought I had been captured by one of the men trying to break into the mansion.

Just as I slowly lifted my eyes to see who it was, my heart racing, my entire being trembling, I was stunned to find Caspian—my one-night stand and now husband—trapping me in his arms, his body hot from the tension I felt surrounding him.

"I asked you to stay inside, Squishy…" he breathed, his deep, gruff voice sending me reeling back.

A heavy sigh of relief escaped my lips, but that was only for a split second. Staring deeply into his icy blue eyes, which remained fixed on me without a single word, I couldn't help but recall the night before.

His every touch, his words, my loud moans. I wasn't sure why, but I found myself beginning to get drawn to him again. Drawn to my ex-uncle. Drawn to a dangerous person.

I was certain he could kill me right now, and no one would find out, but why did I find peace in his arms? Or rather, why did my heart race for just him?

As I remained lost in my thoughts, my gaze fixed on his, the sudden heavy steps of someone running toward us from behind caught my attention. Before I could react, Caspian's eyes snapped toward the person, and he immediately twirled, switching positions with me.

At that moment, I realized the person running toward us had struck him with something heavy on his back. I was meant to take the hit, but he took it for me.

My eyes swirled with concern and curiosity as I stared at him. “Are you…” I panicked as I was about to ask, but he cut me short before I could utter another word.

"Go wait for me in my study, and no matter what, don't come out until I say so. Is that clear?" he commanded.

Before I could say a single word, he unfurled his arms from around my slender waist and turned sharply to the man who had struck him with a stick. I could see it clearly now.

At this point, I realized he was aware of their break-in. I needed to save myself. Without thinking twice, I spun on my heels and began to run toward the entrance of the house to get myself inside his study, just as he had commanded me.

But just then, a pang of guilt and fear struck me. I halted in my tracks and turned around to where he stood with the four men now facing him.

He was all alone, and I bet they were going to take advantage of that. Biting my lower lip and panicking, I muttered, "It seems like the universe just doesn't want me to leave this place. I need to help."

Instantly, I headed back toward where he was standing. At the sight of me standing closer to him, his brows furrowed in disappointment that I didn't leave as he had commanded.

"You just won't listen to your husband, would you, Squishy?" he grunted, and I shook my head.

"I can't just leave you alone… I don't want anyone dying because of me," I admitted, unaware of my surroundings.

With a swift move, Caspian pushed me out of the way, making me fall to the ground before he threw a punch at one of the men who had tried attacking me from behind.

The others lunged at him, but he fought. He was protecting me. He tried his best to ensure that none of the men got closer to me. Was this what it felt like to be saved?

Soon, one of them tossed his stick to the ground and pulled out a knife. My eyes widened at the sight of it.

"You know, you shouldn't have returned to Maxnight, Caspian. You should have stayed where you were asked to. Now, you'll suffer the consequences of your disobedience."

As the man let out those words, he charged toward Caspian, intent on stabbing him. I wanted to move, to help him, but I just couldn't.

I found myself frozen, stuck to the ground, my heart skipping several beats.

He got so close to Caspian, but just then, Caspian caught a firm grip on his hand and, with the side of his own hand, struck the knife out of the man's grasp.

Squeezing his hand, the man wailed bitterly. At that moment, I found my footing. I sharply stood up and used the opportunity to pull his mask off his face.

The man, seeing that his face had been revealed, instantly pulled his hand from Caspian’s grip and ran away with the other gang members, who were formerly on the ground, writhing in pain.

"Mr. Caspian!" Nathan's voice echoed from behind us as he rushed toward where we stood.

Seeing them leave, he wanted to run after them, but Caspian stopped him. "Don't… let them go and report to whoever sent them," he demanded.

Nathan wanted to protest against Caspian’s sudden command, but just then, Caspian took staggering steps backward, his hand flying to his right side.

Curiously, I took his hand off, only to discover that he had been injured. "You are bleeding." My eyes bulged in shock.

"It's nothing. I…" he sucked in a sharp breath as he tried to lie.

I checked swiftly. "It's not that deep. I can handle this," I stated before urging him into the house.

The second we got to his living room, I helped him sit on the couch while Nathan brought the first aid box.

I tried my best to bandage his wound before it could get infected. Just as I was focused on making sure he was fine, his sudden question halted me in my tracks.

"Were you also sent by them?"

My eyes snapped toward his, my heart racing rapidly. "What?"

He leaned closer, his eyes searching mine intently. "You are here based on their orders, right? Don't lie to me." His deep voice sent thrilling shivers down my spine.

"I wasn't sent by anyone!" I swallowed nervously. "You saw me yourself at the club. I don't know anyone!" I defended myself with a bold look on my face.

He paused briefly, his eyes devoid of humor, still piercing deeply into mine. I could feel my soul leaving my body at that moment. If he sensed me as a threat, there was no doubt he’d kill me instantly.

I was on alert, ready to run if necessary, but just then, he began to laugh as he pulled away from my face.

I flinched countless times at his sudden behavior.

"I'm sorry, but you should have seen your face just now. I was just joking with you, Squishy," he said, reaching out and snatching my chin. "You would never work against me, right? You’d never deceive me."

At the sound of his words, I found myself sweating inwardly—not because of the fight that had just happened, but because of his threats. He was my ex-husband’s uncle. I wasn’t sure if he knew that yet, but one thing I knew was that he wouldn’t be happy knowing I deceived him.

"There’ll be a family dinner tomorrow… I want you to join me. Not as a mere woman but as my wife."

Struck by the sudden threat and now this invitation, I had mixed emotions. Caspian was a dangerous person, someone who could kill without a second thought—and he was also Caleb’s uncle.

I wasn’t sure if I’d be safe attending the dinner party with him. I wasn’t sure what would happen.

But hadn’t he just saved me tonight?