r ride down

nded so hard it echoed in her ears, drowning out the hum of the city outside the gl

ayment required

ught in her throat. Her brother, Liam, only seventeen,

dn't afford the cost

her across the face like a harsh reminder of her rea

or one year. No

And having you by my si

wn. But the

uel. It was calcu

on. A distraction. An accessory to some twi

.. because she was broke, despe

er's voice echoed from inside Liam's room, speaking softly to him as she dabbed a c

asked, hopeful, thoug

hen shook her hea

Liam's hair back. "He had an

e treatment, her brother's chances dropped. She couldn't k

ey

ltore had more

t wha

:5

ection pale and broken in the mirrored walls. She wore the same jeans

e minutes fr

from giving

pened with

ing through a thick folder without looking up. The lights w

," he said wit

no ch

lly lifted his gaze. "You

"Don't twist it. Y

out. You're the one

oward her. His pen rested on top-gold,

t was thick, filled with legal

t to r

e said, checking his watch. "

would appear publicly as Dominic's wife. She'd live with him, travel with him, and be on his arm at social func

nt with anyone else.Confidentiality regarding Dominic's business and perso

ansaction. A cold, c

page, her name was print

was a b

hed the pen

k to

d at him.

s head. "Doe

oes t

tood, walking around the desk until he stoo

aid quietly, "your father left

"What does my father

ryth

is isn't just revenge

when I was fourteen. Whatever he

Dominic whispered, his voi

idn't just want control-he wante

d at the

he would become Dominic Val

rother wo

ook t

was shaky, b

angerous. "Welcome to the

ext M

el than a home. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of t

t on the

set. We have a press confere

hard and forced

dresses lined the racks, each one tagged and pressed. A makeup artis

, her hair curled and pinned back, a diamond necklace he

, she was

ray suit that made him look even more dangerous than

well," he sa

like a

uttoning his cuff. "One I boug

e disg

ifted her hand and slid a diamond solitaire o

nce – Valtore

g lights we

s and shareholders, cameras capturing every angle. R

introduce you all to m

s ec

ively on her lower back. To the public, it was a love story. A whir

it was

eld by the man wh

hotos, Dominic lean

le when I tell you to, speak when I

head slowly, m

ed back, "but I didn't sell my soul. A

d darkly.

meras

ized somethin

mance had