I stared at Julian like he had lost his mind.
"Someone is trying to kill me," I repeated slowly. "And your solution was to marry me without my consent?"
"You consented," he said. "You just don't remember it."
"That's not better."
I pushed the blanket aside and stood up, ignoring the way my legs trembled. I was wearing a man's dress shirt. His shirt. The realization made my stomach turn.
"Explain," I said. "Now. Or I'm walking out that door."
Julian didn't stop me. He leaned back against the headboard, watching me with infuriating calm.
"If you leave," he said, "you'll be dead within forty-eight hours."
I froze.
"You're exaggerating."
"I don't exaggerate."
I turned to face him. "Then tell me why I don't remember last night."
He picked up a glass of water and took a slow sip, like we were discussing the weather instead of my stolen autonomy.
"You were drugged."
The word hit me hard. "What?"
"Not by me," he added quickly. "By someone at the charity gala. We traced it later. You were disoriented, confused, and scared."
My throat tightened. I remembered flashes now. Bright lights. Music. The room spinning. Julian's hand on my arm, steadying me.
"I wouldn't agree to this," I said. "Even scared."
"You didn't," he said. "You begged me to protect you."
Silence filled the room.
"I told you the truth," Julian continued. "That the people coming after your family weren't finished. That your father's case reopened something dangerous. And that the only legal shield strong enough was my name."
I laughed bitterly. "So you used it."
"Yes."
"For what?" I demanded. "Control? Revenge?"
He stood, closing the distance between us. I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze.
"For leverage," he said quietly. "Against people who don't care about laws, morals, or mercy."
My heart pounded. "Then why you? Why not police protection?"
"Because the threat is coming from people the police answer to."
That shut me up.
Julian stepped back and picked up his jacket. "This marriage comes with rules."
I crossed my arms. "Of course it does."
"Rule one," he said. "You don't leave my side in public. Ever."
"Absolutely not."
"You'll do it," he said, unfazed. "Because you want to stay alive."
I hated that he was right.
"Rule two," he continued. "You don't investigate this on your own."
"I'm not helpless."
"I know," he said. "That's why it's dangerous."
He paused, then added, "Rule three is simple."
I looked at him warily. "What?"
"You don't fall in love with me."
Something twisted in my chest.
I scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
His eyes lingered on me for a second too long.
"Good," he said. "Because this marriage ends the moment the threat is gone."
"And until then?" I asked.
"Until then," Julian said, opening the door, "you play my wife."
The door closed behind him.
I looked down at the ring on my finger again.
And for the first time since waking up, I wondered if marrying my enemy was the safest mistake I'd ever make.