Twisted Hearts, Billionaire's Game

aware there is a

tep into t

through her mind,

on straightened her shoul

kissed the marble floor

Hamilton mansion. She had

ton. The message had been

to

y, her heart a wild

grand doors of Richard's

hat after the unsettling

eir marriage contract and

this wasn't going to be

t, she told hersel

e he plays, I have t

d with a hand th

nt

w, commanding-seep

pidation. Charlotte pushed

lined on all sides with d

leatherbound volumes. A h

aloed in the soft light of

form partially shrouded

wheelchair, stark

as she entered,

the door," he said

ing no

the thick door shut

r in the lion's den. The

to approach the desk or w

took a few cautious ste

n just shy

me," she said,

ward slightly, his

We need to discu

" Charlotte rep

ht we've already de

a small, almost i

e terms were just the be

e than yo

stled. "Then

a moment, weighing

eemed to lie just bene

t. Finally

ily has enemies,

rought you into the fold

s silky, manufactured, y

er listening-concern, ma

something Richard Hami

lashed. "And why s

was a business arra

ck in his chair, h

"Do you actually think a

iage to me equates with yo

e, draws

norted, foldin

this arrangement, Richar

our little l

to her briefly befo

wer doesn't always come

ciated with the right peo

rg

tte pressed, her

r. "You could've had a

is

ercast. "Your fam

d. The Alstons are not

that nobody would have

laze with such fire it c

to survive w

e felt her blood

mi

pause was accompani

when it hits, you

in Charlotte-the f

, it was like trying to fi

d threats. "I want no ri

l me what I

one very long momen

nally, he spoke. "Ther

rld-people who would stop

r a moment of weakness, a

e become th

upon her shoulde

be complicated, but she h

ers

r shield," s

s," Richard ret

do not mistake that for

s game, Charlotte-you'r

cant comfort. "A

you plan to protect me,

al

t cold. "I will pr

ctly clear, Charlotte-t

es are i

shiver down her spin

eve him. She truly couldn'

ces. Nevertheless, there w

ted intensity in his ton

n the cunning businessm

sper, she questio

?" What task do you

ion of Richard's f

s corrosive tone. "You p

ld out there, we have to s

ll be perceived a

ipped out. "So I'm

d put up a

clenched. "Do not

the right hands, appearan

ap

y from him then an

estate. The gardens outsi

an amber-and-gold affair

d-just li

to this?" she w

ow did I find myself rig

a

er right away. Fina

sad. "I didn't want it t

the path w

face him; her eyes

as usual, his face was in

ose to his chest, and Ch

ng something from hersomet

r business

e?" she whisper

a part of t

e more into Richard

as cold as detached.

ual

ike a physical blow

ight from the beginning th

never really realized quit

il

d, quiet under t

on her. "Then I guess

oi

tled, but only jus

assed in a blur of

tings with big business

ion. Charlotte was plung

le, every word was scrutin

it seemed as if she was ac

he s

ever-present, cold

e of perfection of a husb

plaining all the alliance

ower which would

nd closed doors, i

tte simply couldn't rid th

ly important, and all thi

ngem

te evening when Ch

mirror of their shared b

er high-society event. S

at her-and such intensit

hing different tonight,

he enquired as

in the

ilent for a moment,

ed his hand on her should

the slightest cold

ing I should tel

w vo

lt her heart

hard appeared to con

den some things from you

rather, it's just that

es your

rself gasping for

k i

n't just threaten

ushed, his hand tightenin

your

o him, the beat of

. "What do

her, his gaze level

adversaries are motivate

hority or wealth. You can

at are goi

ted mulling over and

You are telling me thi

alr

d very slowly

dry-mouthed. "The

ry me if it's

need of you," R

o can assist me in

ords covered her li

. Richard was playing a co

there she was, amidst eve

or

he cards wrong, she

was clear. She would