Contract Marriage by Ashleh Queen (new reading .TXT) 📖

Alex POV.

Austin is my friend's younger brother. Recently joined his family business and is all a good man should be. Totally a guy Jane would like. That's the reason that I was reluctant to introduce them. Shut up Alex, it's not like you love Jane. She can be with anyone. I introduced them anyways. But what happened next took me by surprise. They said their pleasantries like they were dying to know each other.

Where the hell you went Hydes? I cursed in my brain. I only came into this party to talk to Hydes. And God knows in which hole he went after calling me here.

"Alex, can I talk to you for a moment."
I looked behind to find Hydes. He was smiling and showing his toothy grin. And though I didn't want to leave Austin and Jane alone I had to leave them alone. Earlier I finish the task, earlier I could go home with my new bride. And the thought bought my lips half curled up. We stopped walking when we were almost 10 feet away from Jane and Austin. I turned around and looked at Jane and then Hydes blocked my beautiful sight.

"What?" I heard Hydes asking. 
I gave him a fake frown.
"What is making you smile," Hydes asked again.

"None of your business. Now tell me why you asked me to come here." I asked him as I looked beside him to look at Jane and Austin.

"I called you here so you could get to meet Mr. Mason too. He will leave in 3 days." Hydes told me leisurely.

"WHAT? I already told you that I am not interested." I almost snapped at him and this time when I turned to look at Jane. She was laughing at something Austin said. This is the first time I saw her laughing. And I swear I forgot to breathe for a moment. But it wasn't me who was making her smile. Something swirled inside me.

"But Mr. Mason is interested." Hydes try to get my attention.

"In what?" I asked still looking at Jane. 
"In your company," Hydes said and this time he really got my attention.

I looked at him with confusion written on my face. So, I asked. "In what company? I can't get you."

"The company you bought with you tonight." He said quite normally while taking a sip on his drink. And this time he turned around and looked at Jane too. This is when I made out the words he said.

"What the hell? Just know that this is not happening." I tap the Hydes' shoulder to get his attention.

"Are you serious?" Hydes asked this time his voice had a little concern.

"Never been more serious," I replied with confidence and was about to pass him when he said.

"What's wrong with you man? We always share. Did you forget Mia, Sara, and Julia? And I can name thousands. What's so special about her?" He asked with desperation.

"I am leaving Hydes. And you can tell that Mason of yours that he can dream about her all he wants but he can't have her." I said but I was not calm. I wonder too. Why my blood boils when someone talks about her like this. Why he can't have her? It's not like I am going to have Jane forever. I always share. But then I got antagonistic. Alex, she is your wife. Though only on papers but still she is your wife. That's why you are acting like this. It's nothing else.

I was about to walk away when I heard someone says "Black, not playing today."

I turned to my left to find Mr. Anthony. His back was facing me and he was taking puffs on his cigar. But I recognize him anyways. A famous gambler, in his fifties, used to be quite close to me when I first came into the Casino business. It's not like we were not close now. It's just we don't see each other often now.

"Do you want to lose this bad," I replied with amusement. This made him turn and face me.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Let's just see." was his reply.

A playful smile appeared on my face and I made my way towards their table. But Hydes followed me too. Watching Hydes again made me recall our conversation. And this also made me realize that I can't leave Jane on her own. She attracts evil things.

Turning around I made my way to Jane. When I reached she was talking about something I didn't pay attention to. But the moment I placed my hand on her back she became quiet and looked at me.

"Hey, Austin. Let me have my company back. Tell Dan that I will call him." I tried to send him off. I was about to walk away without giving Austin a chance to say anything. But he didn't get the signal or maybe ignored it and said.

"Bye Jane, I hope to see you soon."

I gave him a frustrated look that he ignored altogether. But then Jane waves him back and that really took me to edge. I made a note in my mind to ask Dan to tell this brother of his to stay miles away for me from now on. But why the hell I should be bothered about? Because right now she is your wife. And she shouldn't be flirting around.

I didn't waste any time and made my way to Anthony. Getting there I noticed that Hydes was already sitting there. And the other two people were Anthony's, old mate.

I pulled out the chair for Jane to sit. She took her time to sit. She should know that patience is not my friend. I sat and signal one of the dealers to come on our table and start the game. The moment I stared back at the men on the table. I found them quite busy ogling on my wife. I looked at my wife too. I get it that she is beautiful but why every man around him acts like she is the only women left on this earth. She looked so much tense. I placed my hand on her thigh. Her leg shivered a little but then she became relaxed.

"Such a gem you found black. I hope you could share her with me when you are done with her." Anthony said while puffing over his cigar. I felt Jane squirmed over her seat. I could sense the tension in her body. And that did something in me.

I swear I was this close to taking out those lustful eyes out of his socket that he still had on her. Only if he was not my old acquaintance. And not even this, in that shortest moment I saw Hydes smiling. Like he was telling me what he asked for a moment ago was not something so big or odd.