The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

I kept having to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming. After the brief wedding ceremony, we rode in the getaway car, and I didn’t know exactly where we were going.

I kept my mouth shut. I felt a shiver coursing through me, thinking of the abrupt yet too intimate kiss we had shared earlier. I could still feel his lips against mine. It shouldn’t bother me because I’d kissed men, yet it didn’t leave me breathless or speechless the way I had with Mykel.

It wasn’t awkward either. Maybe what I saw in his eyes gave this stupid tingles and image in my head.

I squeezed my eyes shut with a groan.

“You okay?”

I cracked my eyes open to see the familiar airstrip. “Not again.”

“Baby, you survived our trip. You can do better than that.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who felt like vomiting the gut out every time I see aircraft,” I dryly remarked.

“Would you rather travel through the land to New York? I’m fine with it.”

My gaze stayed hard at him for a moment, considering it. “You’ll be exhausted.”

“You know approximately how many hours?”

I shook my head.

“Forty hours, maybe. If we’re lucky.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I am.” He climbed out of the car, rounding to my side. He opened a door for me, and I never expected he would do such a thing.

I gripped the hand he offered. I blew a shaky breath as I looked at the airstair and the jet I’d be in for the next few hours.

I yelped in surprise as my husband carried me bridal style. “A little warning would be nice.” I hit him on his arm.

“You should have expected that already.” He carried me as if I weighed nothing. Well, considering how strong his biceps were, he was the kind of guy who spent a lot in the gym and lifted weights.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re really okay with this?”

“I know what you are doing.” He climbed up the jet. “I won’t leave you alone. Just trust me.”

“I know, but I was serious with my question.”

“Once I’m committed, Adley, I’m not quitting till the job’s done.” He helped me to my feet and onto the seat. “So, we’re stuck together, whether you like it or not.”

“Your friend Dash. He kinda seemed a good guy.”

The look in his eyes was definitely suspicious. He clenched his teeth hard- I could see it on his jaw.

“Dash is way wild than me. And not trying to be a buzzkill, Adley, but we just got married for you to think of another guy.” He took a seat beside.

“I haven’t forgotten about that.” I checked my finger where my engagement ring and wedding sat. “I’m not into a tanned and blond guy anyway. And he’s too roguish for me. I like someone a little older than me, and I think I’m drawn to a bad boy-ish, dark, broody, and cocky with a bit of narcissism.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s all I got after wearing my heart on my sleeve?” I laughed, thoroughly pleased with my joke.

“What do you want me to say?” His tone was flat. If I didn’t know him, I thought he was jealous.

“You asked him to be your best man. You two are closed?”

“Yeah. Back in college. He lent me money when I was low. Then he encouraged me to learn about Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies. Eventually, he did me a solid and let me borrow a couple of thousand. That’s how it all started.”

“You have that in you.”

He looked down at me, arching an inquisitive brow. “What?”

“Conviction, bravery to risk, purposefulness. Trustworthiness.”

“Thanks.”

“Where are they anyway?” When the jet seemed to silence and empty, I asked.

“They’re not coming with us.”

“What?” I held his arm in horror. “What do you mean they’re not coming with us?”

The pilot just opened the cockpit and signaled Mykel.

“Mykel? What was he saying? What about my things?”

“Baby, relax.” He glanced at me. “Try to trust me sometimes.”

“I trust you. I just don’t know your plan.” My chin started to tremble. I felt like crying.

He stared at me for a moment when tears started to fill my eyes. “I swear to God you’re safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Look at me.”

I glanced away when I couldn’t hold it anymore.

“Adley, please?”

“I’m fine.” I blinked it off.

My stupid tears streamed down.

He wiped them away quickly. “I hate seeing you like this.”

“I’m just terrified.”

“You don’t have to be terrified alone. I’d rather risk my life than leave you helpless.” He pulled me into a hug for the second time. “I’m with you, Adley.”

“I know.”

“And you’re gonna hate me for this.”

“Why?” I pulled away, confused.

“We’re going to Hawaii?”

“What? When? Now?”

“Yeah. Right now.”

“Yes!” This time I was the one who threw myself into him. I realized I was overreacting. My cheeks flamed. “Oops. I’d been dying to go-I just didn’t have the guts.”

“Don’t be too excited. A friend of mine has a private property down the island. It’s pretty decent. There’s a beach at the back of the house. I thought we could have a little privacy to ourselves.”

“Who’s your friend?”

“I didn’t take any women there if that’s what you’re trying to know.” His smile was mischievous.

“It’s really none of my business.”

“Let’s be honest here, Adley. My body, my life, everything that belongs to me is your business now. Whether you like it or not. You are my wife. And I do the same thing. I would take care of your well-being the moment I said my vow.”

I was shocked by his words. I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out.

“Don’t worry, your little conditions still stand. As a husband, I’m not avoiding you to do what you want as long as it does not involve us both in a scandal. I still have a business and image to take care of. And it goes both ways. I’d be faithful to you to the best of my ability.”

Maybe I did not think through the consequences on both of us and his sudden changes of manners. I should have known better than he had this heroic tendency like his friend and his overprotective nature. It was all clear to me now. As long as he would not cross the line, I was good for now.