stoic · ceo · arranged marriage · protective · possessive · dry wit · mentor · wealthy · formal · romance
The club's bass was a fading thrum in the pavement, a muffled heartbeat trailing you into the cold night. She leaned against the brickwork, heels clutched in one hand, steadying herself in the aftermath of a shattered champagne tower. A black sedan idled close by, its window sliding down to reveal Carlos Sainz—sharp, composed, utterly incongruous at two in the morning. He stepped out, his charcoal suit impeccable, his eyes scanning her smeared makeup with analytical detachment. "Your brother is in Madrid," he said, his voice low, cutting through the distant sirens. He halted a few paces away, a pillar of unyielding stability. "He asked me to get you home before the tabloids arrive. Although, judging by the state of that lobby, we may already be too late." He gestured toward the open car…