Billionaire contract

the wedding bega

ore. Her hair was still pinned, and her makeup smudged beneath her tired eyes. The ev

was a move. You're just a piece. Who was sending them? What did they mean by

tled her. She leapt to h

ara's soft voi

o peek out. Mara's face was concerned, m

might want so

The tray smelled of croissants and strong coffe

ident at dinner," Mara said

Emma muttered, sitting on

't she?" Mara as

ped to hers. "Yo

only thing more famous than Alexander Blackwood's fo

ppear

anished before the wedding. Some say she r

blood r

w she's

the fire, Emma. Whatever you think this is-i

eeth. "I didn't ha

-

lexander summoned

paneling. Massive windows framed the grey sea beyond. He sat b

you haven't s

to happen when you overhear your ne

slowly. "So

the others. Who were the others, A

ound the desk until he

tects both of us. But protection comes at a price.

a toy," s

, "you're not.

ed at him

gh his dark hair, frustrat

t I needed someone who looked innocent. Someone who c

ep back. "What

a war coming, Emma. And e

ean this whole marriage-thi

rtl

voice trembling

ed to the

be a pawn in a war

t understanding, Emma. Becau

-

ls again, unable to bear the t

lights dimmer. The hallway was lined with portraits-Blackwoods

heavy brass handle. Someth

eaked

y sat in the corner, its mirror cracked. On it lay

forward and

echoed i

amed rig

fr

't leav

round. No o

came in sha

door slammed s

ed to it

rged thr

he door. "Let m

ps appr

oor o

e conservatory. The one who had called h

you?" she

nstead, he tossed s

otog

a picture of Isabella, in

anding in the mir

ooked differen

et. Not even the man

t the man in blac

had a past soaked in secrets. A

-

clutching the photograph

hone

er me

one. Espe

eath h

nyone she c

torm began to brew-ligh

seemed to mirror the