The CEO's Reluctant Bride

her chest, but her face re

always been rut

f like a busin

anything she

the expanse of his luxurious study. The scent of cigars and aged whiskey clung t

asked, voice low but

ild throwing a tantrum. "Not jus

"An opportunity for whom?" sh

nto a smirk. "For

ead. "Forgive me if I don't see how selling m

d. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the liquid

ard, jaw tightenin

llio

ucha

gma

stretched across ind

tent as his empire. Whispers of darkness, of a

had blood o

e'd do anyt

acher to a slow student. "Then

r nose, her voice barely above a

mply lifted his glass and took a sip,

her like a slap

eft her in a

s eyes cool. "That's h

ed, but she forced he

ity of it made

y mil

d put a price

ped from her lips, bitter and

some great wisdom. "You should be grateful," he

p them steady. "And what exactly does Marcus Ryder

was some puzzle piece he'd finally forced i

oom suddenly felt too small, the walls closing in. He

drink, his eyes sha

tightly together. "I'm not some ches

"That's exactly what you are, Auro

rt thun

run, to get as far away from thi

r father's next words sliced

make sure you and you

le

ffocatin

d, her pulse skitterin

moving with deliberate calm as if this were j

't dare." She wasn't even of she said, b

ing, almost gentle. "Elaine's little house, her health care, her com

in her mind, a woman who had once laughed freely, now hollowed out, fragi

ew exactly wh

ed, almost fondly. "That's your mother in you.

lms, trying to anchor her

. "I'm pr

lit second, rage and helple

issed, voice shaking, "ye

yet, here you are. Ri

as backing her into a corner, and he kne

moth

her m

wouldn't hesitate. He'd tear

rd came out li

ead slowly, victo

that smug expres

to meet his gaze without fli

leisurely sip of whiskey.

stomach dropping, bu

orr

e with Marcus Ryder-the man who had

r, but James's voice foll

and A

gers tightening

appropriate. He app

aw cl

trust herse

eight of her father's deal pre

felt like

orr

help t

g...what will Marcus Ryder be like