SIGNED TO SUFFER

of her sleek black car, her fingers

by the speed of the vehicle, h

r head: "You must marry. You need an heir. It

to Daniel? After losing him in that cruel accident? Her heart had been

eace. Love had betrayed her

business, the future, our name,

She didn't care about love, and she certainly didn't care about

eded a

never fill the void in her heart. There was another way. She

es fell on a dark alleyway, where

mped in defeat, his face a mask of exhau

moment, she caught his eyes. Dark, intense,

e straight through her, into the de

o her driver

flinch. He didn't beg for change. He simply

air smelled of rain and grime, but she wasn't bothered by it

er. He had the look of someone who had seen too m

?" he asked, his vo

dy, her expression col

is lips twisted slightly as h

th disbelief. "You don't look like you need

y. "But what I don't ha

to a cold, calculated tone. "I need someone to marry me. To give me a child. And then, once the chil

ed at her. Was he laughing at her in

was. Desperate. Broken. People like him had nothing to lose,

d his ragged clothes and the street around him. "I can of

ach for her phone and make the final arrangements. B

narrowed, his expression still unreadable

s the

ry me. You give me a child. And then you

clearly skeptical. "I'm

eady. "But I'm offering you the chance to change your life.

hat surrounded her, before his gaze sh

ou get out of

leaving his. "What I get is what I've alw

oment, Madia felt a flicker of uncertainty. What if he rej

, his voice gruff but r

smoothly. "I don't need love. I don't need a husband for anything

surprise, he stood up. He brushed the dirt fr

old. "I'll do it. But there'

eyebrow, curious

t care about your money. I'll do what you want, b

expecting, but it was the one she needed to Control. She could take contr

" she said softly. "Come with

but feel a strange thrill. The deal was made. He was hers. A

in the way he held himself left her uneas

control him. No one could escape her gra

made the right choice? Or was Lucas about to tur