002. Sooner or Later

Sierra's POV

"I hereby pronounce you man and wife." The words echoed in my ears, their weight sinking into my bones. I was officially Mrs. Jordan Pierce. I still couldn’t believe it; I continued to stare at the man before me.

“You may now kiss the bride” the priest announced and my heart began to race. I turned to face the man with a forced smile, I watched him take a step forward only for him to pause. With wondering eyes, I watched as he pulled out his phone from his pocket,

“Hm,” that was the only thing I heard him say, I watched before my eyes how he walked away like he wasn’t in the middle of his own wedding. What just happened?

I was staring with wide eyes, as many other men in the audience followed behind him, including his Best man. I was in a daze when someone came forward and addressed the crowd,

“Well, huh… the wedding is over… You can go over to the hall and eat… and be merry”

As if it was a normal thing, I watched people walking out, I stood there in a daze, and my eyes caught my Father and Mother who was as confused as I was.

“Wha---What just happened?” I asked no one in particular. No one was listening to me; even the priest had packed up his belongings and was already walking out of the church building.

“The bride shouldn’t be wandering around alone.” I spun around, heart pounding, and there, I came face to face with the guy who had earlier addressed the crowd.

“Huh… You are?”

“One of the Pierce brothers, call me Dominic” he said, watching me with a smirk that hinted at annoyance and maybe a bit of sympathy.

“Have you seen my…” I paused and swallowed, “Have you seen your brother?” I asked, my voice thinner than I’d intended, betraying the panic simmering under my skin.

He shrugged, nonchalant. “Jordan left. But he asked me to drive you home.”

My ears rang at his words, what? He really left?

I stared at him, my disbelief changing into shock and a growing frustration. “Wait— What?”

“He went for a business meeting, its normal. Don’t worry; you would get use to it”

Get use to rubbish?! This is bullshit!

Dominic’s smirk faded, replaced by something softer, almost pitying. “Big brother’s busy, Sierra. Cartel work isn’t your usual nine-to-five.”

I swallowed the indignation rising in my chest. I stood in front of the altar as I stared at the empty building, slowly tears rolled down my cheeks. This is definitely not how I wanted my wedding to be like.

“Let’s go home?” Dominic stretched his hand towards me to take.

“What about the reception?” I asked with tightened chest.

“Oh, I assumed you won’t want to go there since Jordan won’t be there. You know it’s not right to have the bride without the groom there”

And whose fault is that? I almost yelled out but kept myself in check.

Sierra, welcome to your new life! I literally scoffed at myself before taking Dominic’s hand and headed out to the car.

The ride to the mansion was filled with Dominic’s easy chatter, his humor lightening the tension that had been buzzing under my skin since I walked down the aisle. If I could have chosen my own fate, maybe it would have been him—someone kind. But I had no choice.

When we reached the mansion, my mouth was left agape as I stared with wide eyes at the building that was big enough for a hotel. It definitely has an elevator in it.

“Well, this is where we say goodbye” Dominic said, and I frowned,

“You’re not coming in?”

“Nah… Jordan won’t want me to”

But I snort at his words, “Please, I don’t know anyone here” Jordan would dare not say anything especially after he left me at the altar and asked that his brother takes me home.

Dominic finally walked me to the door before finally leaving but promised to visit one of these days which I prayed and hoped it would be the next. Finally, with the help of the maids I was able to settle in.

Later that night, fresh out of the bathroom, I caught a flicker of movement in the shadows of the room they had prepared for me. My heart leapt, and I flipped the light switch. There he was—Jordan Pierce himself, lounging in a chair, spinning a pen between his fingers, watching me like I was some kind of curiosity.

“You ever heard of knocking?” I snapped, crossing my arms and trying to tamp down the tangle of feelings his presence stirred up.

He just chuckled, rising from his chair in a slow, deliberate way that made every nerve in my body jump to attention. “And you’re saying a wife needs privacy from her husband?” His tone was mocking, but his eyes held something darker, something that sent my heart leaping.

He stepped forward, his hands slipping to my waist, pulling me closer. The heat radiating off him seeped into me, setting off sparks under my skin. His scent, dark and musky, filled my senses, and for one dangerous second, I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in him.

“Why did you leave me at the wedding?” I demanded, though my voice had softened, the edge melting away against my will.

He just gave me that infuriating half-smile, his fingers brushing along my jaw. “Because business doesn’t stop for Mrs. Jordan Pierce, I had a shipment to handle. Urgent.”

I shook my head, frustration blending with something else—something heady and confusing. “And you couldn’t delay? Just for tonight?”

His grip tightened, and his voice dropped, low and rough. “A mafia boss doesn’t delay business, Sierra. And this life comes with… commitments that demand my attention.” He paused, and for just a second, his gaze softened. “But tonight, I’m all yours.”

My stomach twisted, but his lips hovered so close that I could feel his breath, and the feeling washed over everything else. His nose brushed against mine, and then, with a hungry intensity, his mouth claimed mine in a kiss that seared me to my core. I melted against him, my heart hammering as I clutched his shoulders, fingers digging in like he was the only solid thing in my world.

Jordan’s hands moved to my hips, lifting me onto the bed, his mouth trailing along my skin, igniting something inside me I hadn’t known existed. My body arched toward him, every nerve alive with a need that took me by surprise.

But then, as suddenly as it had started, he stopped. He pulled away and smiled at me,

“Now, go to bed, honey”

“Jordan…” I whispered, reaching for him, every inch of me on edge, waiting.

“Goodnight Sierra,”

“Wait—What? Jordan?” I called as I sat up on the bed. What is this? He wants to leave me like this? I watched him pick his jacket and was ready to leave the room.

“Jordan!” But he didn’t turn around; he walked out of the room like he didn’t just leave me hanging. The door clicked shut, leaving me in the silence, a tangled knot of emotions tying me in place. This hold he had over me was maddening, even if I hated how it made me feel—like we were meant to be, even if he didn’t see it. It made no sense at all.

What the hell just happened?