The CEO's Reluctant Bride

a war drum. The air in the hallway felt colder, sharper, as if t

er breath shallow, chest tight. Ever

Ryder, from her father, f

r's threats, Marcus's cryptic words...

nside, shoulders stiff. As soon as they closed,

played the

anted thi

y had her father forced her into this arr

st of his grip on her wrist,

't indi

n't co

somethi

gr

a

e

bout it, the more tang

weight of exhaustion pressed heavily on

ng straight to her room, grabbi

article, every business report, every scra

hing looke

ish

tro

pt

hy, it was strange how little t

hless business tactics, his ability to turn f

othing about hi

cand

latio

nter

fam

ted only within the confines o

ubbled inside

here noth

t the dim glow of the laptop screen. There had to

ect s

en it

min P

nd man. His assis

t Marcus was hidin

nterprises' corporate page. A business email address. Bu

ed to meet h

at the thought. It w

us foun

op shut, a determined g

idn't

eded a

would

s many corporate buildings in the heart of Manhattan,

visible lint off her beige dress. Her finge

a terri

clicking sharply against the marble floor. The

w can I help you?

ping into years of being th

nt with Benjamin Pie

ed over the keyboard. "Ma

ra Ry

man's eyes flickered, and she

me on the schedule,"

rora lied without hesitation. "It

er screen and Aurora's cool expression. After

hold a

hudded beneath h

d toward the private elevators. "Twenti

olitely, noddin

retched forever, each floor

her anything? What if Mar

evator

rning

, minimalist office spac

he city skyline, the morning light sp

the window, back to her

min P

as she a

se, taking her in withou

e greeted, voic

htly at the title bu

why I'm here," she

a professional mask

closer, her

s hiding?" she

sion didn't shift

information

s jaw t

a stranger. I'm his..." she hesitated, the wor

flickered almo

l measured, "but there are things tha

her frustr

g closer. "Why was I forced into this marria

retched be

shifted in Benjamin's expressi

don't understand, Mrs.

eath h

ly. "Because right now, it feels like I've been

owed slightly, as if

ot my p

urst open

s heart

t v

o

ar

quiet, dang

do you think

pun a

k and lethal. His gaze locked onto hers like

omach

t just anger

mething f

ray

, voice deadly quiet, "I

d, but forced her

answers," she snapped, voice tremblin

rrowed, his jaw

tween them, clearly

n't spare

over," he said, each

ut she knew there was no

eath c

rc

ook on hi

sn't

n't an

as r

the storm brewing

he kn

over. Not

s? And what was Benj