Bound by Betrayal

er's

r any weakness. And I had absolutely no in

curt nod to Victoria who had

enteen percent. The Westside development is ahead of schedule, and the Che

t view of the Manhattan skyline clearly visible from the floor to ceiling windows in the Mo

the market's clear leader in commercial real estate development throughout New Y

men, previous long-standing acquaintances of my father or grandfather, attempting to look neutral, but I knew they

re was V

erving green eyes. She looked perfectly clad in a stylish black dress that likely cost more than a month's wages for most.

ious about the decision to dive into the Chelsea acquisitions so... aggressively. Ma

ning, the suggestion that I had act

coolly. "Our analysts saw that we had a three-week window, before those properties attract

t change. "And the exp

ht percent lead. Full details on the calculations are in sec

s only nodded in approval. My gaze went back to Victoria, I no

s most steadfast ally on the board, cleared his throat. "What about the inhe

ression neutral, I cou

gomery, spoke from the

r, he boomed, a deep voice for a big man.

us, if controlling interest is unstable, the

tie - the room seemed

mn clause that required I be married before thirty-five to retain my sha

ut. Now it was another piece in the

o run this company," I said firmly. "The clause is only a matte

ly isn't a long time to find a bride, Xavier. Unle

siness deal that had not ended well, although she still had a sizeable portion of Montgomery Industries stock, passed down f

dismissive tone. "Now if we can return to an actual agen

s, plans, and decisions with such willfulness that by the time I ended the

pers and putting them in my briefcase. "James wi

ries, nodded from his spot next to the door. Tall and athletic, with warm brown skin and intense

urmuring approval, Victoria

perfume, a subtle, familiar scen

dly. "Don't wait too long to handle your... sit

a threat,

tiful smile did not reach her eyes. "After all, we both do not want

e room, leaving behind the familiar

h me, raising an eyebrow

muttered, finally removing my t

mes said. "And Charles bringing up th

ity below. At this height, people looked like ants, moving wi

id. "Every meeting, every contact

ping his tablet.

presentation materials and zipped them into my lea

the skyline like he owned it. Tall, wide shouldered with sharp blue eyes and

." It wasn't

wer in silence as the employees bowed their heads

tor that would take us to our o

, and Inside, sealed in p

ly. "Victoria is picking up allies on

ambitions," I said, tryi

pany's n

e is real. You have six months to marry, or the board-that board-where Victoria

a bygone era," I said, barely sup

You have six months to find a wife, or you hand controlling interest of this company on a si

to face me. The harsh lighting above us showing the deep lines around his eyes and mouth, evidence of h

ier. Marry, or watch everything your grandfather built

andidates, women from the right families and background and with the right connections and qualifications of a Montgomery bride. My father had bee

ake the same mistake twice. This time pick someone who has some

wives. I loosened my tie completely and leaned against the wall of the elevator, suddenly fe

ardly an impossible task considering my experience in

s. Surely, there was another op

. Someone with no dirty history to sift through, who would gain eno

whom I could co

putting together a plan. It would not be a love match-a luxury I couldn

gomery always h