Ryker and I stare at each other, not muttering a word. I waited for him to act so I could decide how to deal with him. If he is rude, he is dead, and I know he isn't nice at all considering the rumours I had heard. But you know never judge a book by its cover. Ryker smiled, breaking our staring contest. No way. His smile is gorgeous but I had dealt with many people, and I knew it was a fake smile.

"Rhodes I know we are enemies, but let's try to get along considering the deal between families," Ryker said, approaching me.

"I am surprised that you agreed, but why?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"It will end up in my favor; who knows?" Ryker said with a dangerous glint in his eyes that I didn't miss.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Let's get going. I want to get familiar with the surroundings since I will stay here for a long time."

I didn't miss the anger in his tone. With a sigh, I gave him a tour of the house. At last, we ended up in his room. Ryker gazed around his room, intentionally checking every corner.

"There isn't anything like a camera or assassin hiding in here." I joked. Ryker's head snapped towards me, his face void of any emotions. He breaks into a smile. A fake smile, I might add.

"Better safe than sorry," he replied.

I leaned on the wall while he continued his expedition. He looks satisfied when he finds nothing. Now that I see him, he has changed much more than the last time I saw him. He looks more manly now, and he is even taller than me, even though I am 5'8. I bet he is six feet or even taller. I wouldn't mind this marriage, but considering our history, it's better to break it off. I don't trust this man a bit.

"My grandfather let you into the territory, he won't hurt you. Don't be so wary." I told him.

"Who knows, last time my brother trusted Rhodes. He ended up dead," Ryker said.

"And how about the fact that Romano killed my parents?" I shot back.

"They should have seen it coming after they killed my brother."

"My parents wouldn't kill a kid."

"But they did, and this is how we end up."

"I didn't want to marry you, and in case you forgot, you agreed to it first while I didn't even know about it."

He didn't say anything and gazed at me with anger, which soon disappeared. I held my head up high, daring him to say anything else. Instead, he turned around his chest, heaving in and out. Realizing what I did, guilt washed over me. He is a guest and all alone in his rival territory. I should at least be decent; besides, he wasn't the one who killed my parents; it was his people. He was a kid when it happened.

"I am sorry about the outburst. Forgive me; it won't happen again." I said it softly.

Before he could say anything else, I walked out of the room, closing it behind me. I took a calm breath as my gaze landed on Dani, who was leaning on the wall.

"It was a bad idea, wasn't it?" He asked.

"Why did my grandfather take such a decision out of nowhere without asking me?" I asked him.

"You know how things usually work in our world."

"I know. I will try to prevent it."

"If that guy tries to hurt you, then tell me, Val," Dani said with a protective tone. "I will get rid of him with no one knowing,"He added. I know he isn't joking around. Typical Dani. But it will be the worst idea for now. 

"Don't worry, I can handle it, but if not, I will tell you," I assured him.

Dani nods. "Let's head to school, or else we will be late."

Grabbing our bags, we head to the school. Dani parted ways to see his friends. While I made my way to my class, I didn't have any friends other than Mio who don't study here. My bad luck. The other girls here despise me, for god knows what reason. I wish Mio would study here, but she can't. She isn't allowed to.

After finishing class, I made my way out only to get bumped into the school's playboy and my bully, Liam. He had bullied me since I was a kid; once Dani found out, he beat him up, and then Liam stopped, but that doesn't mean he doesn't do it now and often. But I am not a weak and pathetic kid anymore. If he wants to hurt me, I will make him regret it.

"Watch where you are going." He glared at me.

"It was a mistake, and I don't think we need to fight for such a reason," I said calmly.

"Bitch, you are the most annoying person I have ever seen."

"Okay. Whatever."

I tried to walk away from the immature kid, but he grabbed my arm forcefully, preventing me from moving further. Twisting my arm, I pulled my hand away with a glare. If only I could kill him without getting in trouble with the school authorities. 

"Don't dare to touch me again," I warned him.

"Or what? You will call your boy a toy." He taunted.

I smiled and stood an inch away from him. I whispered in a low tone.

"I have a gun in my bag, but I don't need it. I can kill you with my bare hands, and I promise you, my grandfather won't be more proud than he already is."

He backs away, his face pale, and he grits his teeth. I backed away with a soft smile.

"Well, then don't forget it," I said one last time before turning away from him.

After school finished, I walked into the parking area. Surprisingly, I found Ryker leaning on the door of his car. His gaze already meets mine before I can even call him. I approached him, confused.

"Hi, Romano. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was bored at your home. Can we go out?" He asked with a smile on his lips. I nod at his innocent request.

"Give me a minute; I need to tell Dani."

I texted Dani, telling him I was leaving with Ryker. Getting his reply, I nodded at Ryker. He opened the door for me, making me smirk.

"Romano is a gentleman. It's something new." I teased him.

"You don't know much about me, and I promise you will know me well before these six months end." He smirks.

There is something else behind those words, but I ignored it for now. Once I got in, Ryker took his seat, driving out of the school.

"Okay, so where would you like to go first?" I asked him. Ryker glanced at me, then focused back on the road.

"I am not sure. Where would you take your boyfriend?" He asked.

"I never dated, so I don't know." I shrug. Ryker looked at me in surprise.

"Then you have a fiance now; think Rhodes."

He is not wrong, but I know nothing about him. Maybe Club But it's not my kind of place, even though Ryker looks like someone who enjoys such things. I would take him to a combat match rather than a date. I grinned and showed him directions. After a while, we parked in front of my favorite place. Before I could come out, Ryker beat me into it. Within seconds, he walked out, opening the door for me. I got out with a sigh.

"You don't have to do it," I told him.

"You are Queen and should be treated like one." Ryker smirks.

"Flattery leads you straight to hell, "

Rolling my eyes, I led him into the training area, where I found familiar men working for Grandfather. I don't know if Ryker was surprised or not, since he didn't show much emotion. I got a call from my grandfather, so I walked out and picked up his call.

"What happened?" I ask.

"Nothing Valeska. I heard Ryker is with you; just make sure nothing goes wrong. If something happens to him, then the war will be worse." Grandfather said it in a tired voice.

"Don't worry, I will make sure he isn't harmed." I promised.

"I hope so. I don't want things to get worse, and I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. Have faith in me."

"Alright. Then take care."

Cutting off the call, I walked back in only to find Ryker bruised and punching a man on the floor. Three guys are knocked out, while two are standing ready to fight Ryker.

Ryker's gaze met mine, and anger rose inside him.

Shit.