A DEAL WITH DESIRE

was to find my entire future sealed inside a crisp, white envelope.The air smelled l

commanded, his tone as sharp as

and my stomach twisted. *Not them, please. Anyone but them.* Memories of my mother's stories about the Sterlings' ruthless bu

coolly,my face expressionless,

sue. Instead, he slid the envelope across the desk toward me . "T

reluctantly, I picked it up and broke the seal, pulling out the lette

age cont

or it to come so soon..or I didn't want it at all,I can't be used as a sacrif

tanding in my fat

oice dripped with disbelief, every inch of me trembled

ay eyes met mine unyielding. "I don't joke when

ean your empire. That's all this is to you, isn

ever things didn't go his way. "It's not just about you. It's about wh

re settling in front of him. "You mean if I don't marry into

precision of someone accustomed to power. "Luca Sterling is a man of stature, influen

ray me. *Discretion.* As if that would make it better. As if marryin

mly. "I'm not si

an pack your bags and leave...You'll have no name,

wasn't the first time my father had threatened to cut me off. He'd dangled

t his gaze. "I'd rather have nothing than tie

t pleasing me, Cass. It's about survival. This family has enemies, and you..wh

ice dripping with disbelief . "

contract aside. "I won't force you, Cass. But understand this, you'll regret it. The world out th

smile. "Good. Let the world be u

out of the study, my heels clic

life my father wanted for me? His words echoed in my mind: *you'll regret it*. Part of me wanted to

r voice pulled me from my thoug

if he'd been caught in the rain, and his sharp, tailored suit clung to his frame with effortless elegance

habit of eavesdropping," I said

replied, his voice low and stea

erself to laugh. "What? So you coul

closer. "I wanted to see if you

g for some hint of sarcasm, but his expr

id?" I asked, li

eplied. His eyes flickered, something unreadable passing thr

he words sinking in

ile. "You'll come to me when you're ready. And wh

aving me standing in the empty corridor,

just running from something..I was chasing freed