"I''m not here to marry you," Nigel said, rubbing his temples as if he could physically ward off the headache that was rapidly building.


    ck Spider''s face fell instantly, all his earlier excitement evaporating into a thunderous scowl. "Then what are you here for?" he demanded, his tone sharp.


    "He''s just passing through. Got business," someone offered, but ck Spider wasn''t convinced.


    Nigel cast a sideways nce at ck Spider. "So? Is there anything to discuss, or can we leave now?"


    “Don''t even think about leaving,” ck Spider shot back, his eyes gleaming with stubborn resolve. "If you won''t marry me willingly, I''ll just tie you up and drag you down the aisle myself! Now that you''re here, you''reing with me-end of story."


    Nigel stared in disbelief, a weary sigh escaping him as he took in the spectacle of the infamous ck Spider standing before him, dead set on this deranged demand. He''d known running into him would mean trouble. Of all the disasters he could have imagined, being propositioned for marriage was the worst. He''d sooner face a hail of bullets than deal with this lunacy.


    "Look, I don''t love you. Forced love never ends well," Nigel tried, his voice firm and low. "Just let me go."


    "That''s not happening!" ck Spider sneered, a cold edge in hisughter. "It''s fate that brought you to me. Whether you think it''s sweet or not doesn''t matter—the only sweetness I care about is mine."


    Nigel was at a loss for words, staring at ck Spider, exasperation etched across his face.


    Damien, standing nearby, finally lost his battle to remainposed and let out a barely stifledugh.


    Nigel shot him a withering look. "You find this funny?"


    Damien quickly sobered and forced his face into a mask of seriousness. He cleared his throat. "No, not at all But, uh, what now, Mr. Howell?" He paused, then lowered his voice so only Nigel could hear, "Maybe you should just go through with the wedding-I''ll make a discreet exit. He seems pretty sincere, and I have to say, you two actually make a striking couple.”


    ck Spider looked at Damien for the first time with genuine approval. “See? He gets it! Didn''t expect someone else to appreciate our match. You''ve got a good eye."


    "d you I think so,” Damien replied, nodding. "So... does that mean I''m free to go?"


    "Damien?" Nigel gaped, incredulous. Was Damien really preparing to abandon him at a time like this?


    ??


    Sensing the tension, Damien leaned closer to Nigel and muttered under his breath, "Listen, this ck Spider guy clearly isn''t going to let you off easilyaf sneak but now I can go to Stewart''s and bring back reinforcements. There''s no way we can win a straight-up fight-not with their numbers."


    пор


    He continued quietly, "Hang in there, Mr. Howell. Stall for as long as you can. Leave the rest to me. Stewart''s ce isn''t far, I''ll get help ande back for you— promise."


    Despite his earlier jokes, Damien


    wasn''t truly heartless. He didn''t much care for Nigel-after all, Nigel was Myers sworn enemy But


    seeing as Nigel had gotten mes


    far, he owed him at least some payback.


    Nigel eyed him warily, lowering his voice. "You''re not just ditching me, are you? Wouldn''t be much of a loss to you, would it?"


    "I swear, I''ming back,” Damien said sincerely. "If I nned to abandon you, I wouldn''t bother making up excuses—I''d simply slip away without a word. Sit tight, and trust me for now."