Knotted paths

uca did not

brides-heiresses, socialites, daughters of powerful men-each

anning the profiles with disinterest. Too desperate. Too entitled. Too wea

across from him, watching with a smirk. "I don't understand why

t men don't have to sign their li

ut let's be honest-you were never

tion that clouded judgment and led to weakness. He

aside, unimpressed. "

n eyebrow. "You'

derstand the rules. Someone practical, intelligent, and strong enough to handle my world. Th

ering. "Then maybe you're l

anced up.

the perfect candidate migh

ollow. Then, realization s

n in his eyes and grinned.

aw tightene

screet, and doesn't take your bullshit. She's not

, his mind turning over

ical aspect of his life with precision. She was brilliant, fi

e files, Elena had no il

d he con

idn't have tim

he office when Lorenzo's deep

My offic

d the papers in her arms and strode

sive desk, his dark gaze s

s this about the ship

f, leaning forward.

Lorenzo never discu

What's so important that you're

t hesitate. "

blinke

she said, convinc

erious. "I need a wife. A

ut a sharp laugh. "Very funny,

not j

earched his expression for any sign of hum

I'm missing something. Since wh

randfather has given me an ultimatum-get

ted slightly

you thought, what? That I

es

d her eyes. "

y world. You know how things work. This would be a business arrangement-n

fed. "You'

n. Power. And after a year, we dissolve the mar

ed. A milli

, but that kind of mone

ld, ruthless, and maddeningly intense

hing can be bough

htly. "Everything has a pr

gaze, her h

ous. Reckless.

ye

ion do

ye

emo