Cash Lawson—normally fearless, hardened by a decade of violence—felt genuine panic spike through his chest. He knew exactly who Aaron Jackson was. The Brand family had always avoided direct conflict with Aaron's organization, maintaining careful distance for exactly this reason."Mr. Jackson," Cash said, his voice carefully controlled despite the pain in his chest. "I was defending Young Master Brand. I didn't know—""You didn't know because you didn't ask," Aaron interrupted coldly. "You saw your young master with a swollen face and assumed you had the right to attack. You didn't consider why someone would dare strike a Brand. You didn't question whether perhaps Jaxon Brand deserved what he got."He moved closer to Cash, and the enforcer—despite all his training, all his experience—took an involuntary step backward."Touching Marcus Steel is unforgivable," Aaron continued. "He is under my protection. He is married to a Sacred Saintess whose authority predates your employer's family b

Then he turned back to Quinn, offered his arm again, and continued toward the exit as if nothing had happened.Chaos exploded.Cash Lawson set Jaxon down and attacked Aaron with everything he had—Diamond Leg blazing with power, his decade of training unleashed in a flurry of devastating strikes. Aaron met him blow for blow, the two elites clashing in a display of power that made everyone else scramble backward.Marcus walked through the destruction with Quinn, his arm protectively around her shoulders, shielding her from the violence erupting around them."Wait!" Cash disengaged from Aaron, breathing hard. "Before you decide anything—look downstairs."He gestured to the windows. Several of his men rushed to pull back the curtains.What they revealed made Cash Lawson's confident expression drain away completely.Below the Azure Pierce Hotel, the streets were packed. Hundreds—no, thousands—of men in identical black suits stood in perfect formation. All carrying long knives that gleamed

But she was simply happy—genuinely happy—to see Marcus calmer, stronger, more confident than she'd ever witnessed. The man who'd protected her tonight, who'd stood against the Brand family without flinching, who'd made Aaron Jackson himself bow in respect...That wasn't the unemployed nobody she'd married. That wasn't even the stranger who'd survived the earthquake. That was something else entirely.Her Saintess senses had detected it during the confrontation—ancient power stirring within Marcus, something that felt older than her sacred bloodline, operating on frequencies her divine training couldn't fully comprehend. Dragon energy? Cultivation techniques beyond her understanding? Or something else altogether?Who are you really? The question burned in her mind, but she didn't ask it aloud. Not yet. Not when things between them felt so fragile and new.They entered the Hartford family home together, Marcus's hand briefly touching the small of her back in a gesture that felt protectiv

Karen's face was a mask of fury and betrayal. "Riley's invitation is an honor! Do you understand that? He's successful, accomplished, everything your husband isn't! And you're throwing it back in his face? You're being ungrateful!""I'm being loyal," Quinn said, her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands. "To my husband.""Your HUSBAND?" Karen's voice rose to a shriek. "That worthless nobody who's done nothing but embarrass this family? Quinn, if you don't attend this dinner—if you insult Riley Ridge like this—I will throw both of you out of this house! Do you understand me? OUT!"Quinn's Saintess aura flared defensively. "Fine. Then we'll leave."The declaration stunned both parents into momentary silence."You... you can't be serious," Karen stammered."I'm completely serious," Quinn said, her voice carrying a conviction she'd never felt before. "If Marcus isn't welcome at family events, then neither am I. We're married. We're a unit. That's what marriage means.""Marriage?

Riley finally turned his attention fully to Marcus, his smile still perfectly calculated. "Quinn, darling, you haven't properly introduced the man beside you."Before Quinn could respond, Mother Ridge interjected with false sweetness. "Oh, I assumed he was your driver, dear. You know, hired help for the evening?" Her laugh tinkled like breaking glass.Quinn's Saintess aura flared brilliantly, golden light pulsing with indignation. "This is Marcus Steel. My husband."The emphasis on the last word carried divine authority that made even Mother Ridge's smile falter slightly."Husband!" Riley's eyebrows rose theatrically. "Of course! I'd heard you'd... married. How wonderful!" He extended his hand to Marcus, his grip designed to be crushingly firm—a power play disguised as friendliness. "So tell me, Marcus, where do you work? What field are you in?"Marcus took Riley's hand with a disarming smile. "At home, living off my wife."The honesty was so unexpected that several people at the tabl