THIRTEEN_A LINE YOU DON'T CROSS
The room was still quiet after Alexander introduced Aiden.
Some of the men nodded respectfully.
Others simply watched him.
Aiden could practically feel their thoughts.
That’s the boss’s husband?
He doesn’t look dangerous.
He looks… normal.
Aiden shifted slightly beside Alexander, trying not to look uncomfortable.
Then one of the men leaned back in his chair and laughed.
It wasn’t a friendly laugh.
“Well,” the man said, crossing his arms, “I didn’t expect our boss to marry someone like him.”
The room went tense immediately.
Aiden frowned slightly.
Someone beside the man muttered quietly, “Marco…”
But Marco ignored him.
He looked Aiden up and down with a mocking smile.
“So you’re the replacement bride?”
Aiden felt irritation rise in his chest.
Before he could stop himself, he replied.
“Last time I checked, I’m not wearing a wedding dress.”
A few of the men looked like they were trying not to laugh.
But Marco’s smile disappeared.
“You’ve got quite a mouth,” he said coldly.
Aiden shrugged.
“People usually say that after insulting me first.”
Marco pushed his chair back and stood up.
The movement was sudden enough that several people in the room stiffened.
“You should watch how you talk,” Marco said, his voice sharper now. “You may have married the boss, but that doesn’t mean you belong here.”
Aiden opened his mouth to reply—
But a calm voice spoke first.
“Enough.”
Alexander hadn’t raised his voice.
But the entire room went silent instantly.
He slowly stood up from his chair.
His grey eyes were colder than before.
“Marco,” he said calmly.
The man froze.
“You seem to have forgotten something.”
Marco swallowed slightly.
“Boss, I—”
Alexander continued speaking.
“My husband stands beside me.”
His tone was quiet but dangerous.
“Which means when you disrespect him…”
Alexander stepped closer.
“…you disrespect me.”
The air in the room felt heavy.
Marco lowered his head immediately.
“My apologies, boss.”
Alexander studied him for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
“Apologize properly.”
Marco turned toward Aiden.
His jaw tightened slightly.
“…Sorry.”
Aiden blinked.
He hadn’t expected Alexander to step in like that.
Alexander finally returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.
“Now that the introductions are finished,” he said calmly, “we have work to do.”
The meeting continued.
But Aiden couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened.
When the meeting finally ended and the men began leaving the room, Aiden turned to Alexander.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
Alexander looked at him.
“Do what?”
“Defend me.”
Alexander picked up a file from the table.
“I did,” he said simply.
Aiden hesitated.
“…Why?”
Alexander met his eyes for a brief moment.
“Because,” he said calmly, “you’re mine now.”
And for some reason, those words made Aiden’s heart beat a little faster.