You…" Leia, in shock of the kiss, started, voice shaking.
Did he just kiss her?
He cut her off smoothly. "Smile, darling. They're watching."
Before she could throw an insult in his face, security swept in, forming a shield around them. They were ushered down the carpet, reporters snapping like wolves at raw meat.
And then, salvation. A sleek black limousine awaited them outside. The door was yanked open, Jake guided her in, and the chaos was muffled once the door shut.
For the first time since the kiss, silence.
Leia pressed herself into the corner of the seat, her chest heaving. She touched her lips, still tingling, and cursed under her breath.
Jake lounged across from her, legs spread casually, eyes fixed on her like he had all the time in the world.
She glared at him. "What the hell was that?!"
"A kiss," he said simply, pouring himself a drink from the crystal decanter. "You looked like you were about to faint. I saved you."
"Saved me?" Leia snapped. "Are you crazy? You humiliated me in front of the entire city!"
He sipped, unbothered. "Correction—you humiliated yourself. I told you to smile. You refused. I had to improvise."
Her fists clenched. "You don't just…just kiss someone like that!"
His smirk deepened. "Why not? You're my wife now, aren't you?"
Leia's jaw dropped. "That doesn't give you the right…"
"Did you enjoy it?" His voice cut through hers, calm but laced with a wicked edge.
Leia froze. Heat shot up her neck, not from the kiss but from the audacity. "What…excuse me?!"
Jake leaned forward, glass dangling from his hand, gray eyes glinting with amusement. "You heard me, Red. Did you enjoy the kiss?"
She nearly choked. "Enjoy? I'd rather kiss a sewer pipe!"
Jake chuckled low, that dangerous sound that made her want to punch him straight in the jaw. "Hmm. Funny, because you didn't pull away."
Her whole face flamed. "I was in shock!"
"Of course you were." His smirk curved higher. "Most women are."
Leia's mouth fell open, words tumbling but colliding too fast to make sense. "You…you arrogant, narcissistic…"
Jake set his glass down, unbothered. "You'll thank me later."
"Thank you?!" she shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "I should sue you for assault!"
"You can't sue your husband," he shot back smoothly.
She wanted to scream. She wanted to claw at his perfect, smug face until that smirk vanished. But before she could get another word out, the limousine slowed.
Leia whipped her head to the window. Another building. Another carpet. Another crowd waiting with cameras.
Her stomach dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."
The door clicked open. Jake adjusted his cufflinks, calm as ever. "Showtime again, Mrs. Carter."
Her glare could have set him on fire. "Don't call me that."
"Pose. Smile." He leaned in close, lips brushing her ear as he whispered the words that made her blood boil. "Or I'll have to kiss you again."
Before she could react, before her rage could explode, he stepped out of the car and offered his hand like a perfect gentleman.
And just like before…
Flash. Flash. Flash.
The world swallowed her in light.
_______________________________
The limousine rolled to a stop again, but this time there weren't flashing cameras or screaming reporters waiting outside. Just soft lighting, muted chatter, and the kind of tension that prickled against Leia's skin.
Jake stepped out first, offered his hand like always. She ignored it and climbed out on her own, her jaw tight.
The doors to the reception opened, and Leia's breath caught.
Not a crowd. Not hundreds of strangers. But a smaller group, twenty at most. People in sharp suits, sparkling dresses, champagne glasses in hand. It wasn't noisy, it was suffocatingly calm.
Her heart thudded hard. And then…
"Leia!"
Her head snapped toward the voice.
Her brother. Darren.
Tears stung her eyes instantly. He was standing near their father and Mia, alive, safe, breathing. Without thinking, she took a step, only for Jake's hand to clamp around her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Leia yanked against his hold, glaring. "That's none of your business."
And for once, she broke free.
Her heels clicked against the floor as she bolted to her family. Darren rushed forward, and she threw herself into his arms, hugging him so tight she thought she'd crush him.
"Darren, oh my God…are you okay?" Her voice cracked, and she didn't care.
"I'm fine." His voice was hoarse, weak, but steady. "I'm fine now. Thanks to you."
She pulled back, scanning him from head to toe, as if to make sure he wasn't hurt. "They didn't…did they…?"
He shook his head quickly. "I'm okay. Really."
Leia wiped at her tears, turning next to her father. "Dad…"
Davis looked older, heavier with guilt. He pulled her into a rough embrace. "Leia… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
She cut him off, whispering fiercely, "Don't. Not now. At least he's back. That's what matters."
And then Mia.
Mia, who was holding her belly, eyes swollen from crying. She reached for Leia with trembling hands. "I'm sorry, Leia. I shouldn't have pressured you. I was desperate. Please forgive me."
Leia grabbed her best friend's face, forcing her to look straight at her. "Hey. Listen to me. You don't owe me an apology. I get it. You needed Darren. And now he's here." Her voice hardened, steel beneath the tenderness. "All I did was marry him. But don't think for a second this is over. I'm not staying. I'm a fighter, Mia. And I will fight my way out of this."
Tears streamed down Mia's face, but she nodded. They hugged fiercely, the three of them…Leia, Darren, Mia…pulling each other close like a lifeline.
Leia could almost pretend it was enough. Almost.
Until a shadow fell over them.
"Touching," Jake drawled. His presence snapped the air back to sharp edges. "But I think it's time for the bride to meet her new family."
Leia stiffened. Her head whipped around, glare sharp enough to cut glass. "I don't want to meet your family."
He smirked, ignoring her. "Come, darling."
He didn't ask. He simply pulled her away, his hand firm on her back as if she were nothing more than property. Leia's nails dug into her palm, but she walked. Because Darren was safe. Because Mia was watching. Because her fight would come later.
They crossed the room, and Leia's stomach twisted.
A cluster of people stood waiting, their eyes raking over her like she was an insect they'd rather crush than acknowledge.
Jake's smirk widened. "Family introductions. Let's make this quick, shall we?"
He gestured lazily. "That's my Mother, Vivian."
A tall, elegant woman stepped forward. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, softened only a fraction as she pulled Leia into a surprisingly warm embrace. "Welcome, dear. You'll find the Carters…demanding. But you'll adjust."
Leia stiffened in her arms but nodded. "Thank you."
Jake gestured again. "My younger brother, Gavin."
A charming man with an easy smile stepped forward, hugging her tightly. "Ignore the rest of them. They're miserable." He winked. "I'm happy to have you here."
Leia blinked, startled by the sudden kindness, but managed a small nod.
And then Jake turned to the rest. "As for these people…" he waved a hand dismissively at the rest of the group, who bristled at the gesture, "…Ray, Marcus, Phoebe, Susan, Evelyn. Stakeholders, extended blood, whatever. Frankly, I don't care enough to remember their names. Neither should you."
Gasps rippled through the group. A woman Leia assumed was Susan sneered. An older woman, Evelyn, the grandmother, narrowed her eyes like Leia was dirt under her shoe.
But Jake only tightened his arm around Leia's waist. "Everyone, meet my bride, Leia Carter."
The word "bride" echoed like a curse in Leia's head.
Jake's smirk sharpened. "There'll be a meeting at the company in a week. You'll all get your explanations then."
The family exchanged confused glances, mutters rising. But Jake was already pulling Leia away, ignoring their questions.
"I have better things to do," he announced smoothly, "like spend time with my wife."
And just like that, they left his family behind, speechless and seething.