Bound by a billionaires vow

floors, and a round table so long it demanded submission. At the head sat Matt

hair was pulled back in a sleek twist, her posture as r

rd barely concealed their disdain. The other ha

te everyone making time for this emergency session. The recent media flare-u

is legal, valid, and in accordan

gal, yes. But strategic?

teo's fingers twitch

ism, sudden changes-particularly those tied to pers

his voice calm but steely,

She was seated two chairs down, lips

a long-standing engagement with no warning and insta

s ri

"Would you like to re

tightened. "Di

a st

any widening in surprise. Matteo's li

legally. And if you think a humble origin makes me unworthy of this seat, then you're welcome to challenge

nd of the table sh

, but I know loyalty. I know work. I know what it means to build something and figh

of stunne

his chair-eyes sharp, mout

s throat. "That's

ch," Lucia said.

The Fire Be

didn't speak until they

e to do that,"

d

d down a board

ked at hi

think they might be

oo

t-too long. Then he said,

d, more bitterly

eplied. "M

a bl

e was fierce. Protective. The only pers

happened

aded her in for someone... mo

rt twisted.

tell you that because I see it happeni

ened, but neith

epped ou

study. He locked the door and poured a glass of s

m drawer of his desk, an

galas. Him, standing beside her at a funeral. One pict

it longer tha

me he thought

fered to cover up her father's embezzlement in exchange for marriage. Until sh

e knew-he cou

uldn't afford

otos in the fire

Begin

ightdress, long cardigan wrapped around her arms. She found Matteo

late," she

are

him on the sofa. He offered

," she said, noting t

ed. "Ol

y burn

itted. "But

irelight softening the s

osed to get complica

d. "But it a

as a lo

neither of them fully understoo

thumb grazed her wrist. The he

loser. She

s were in

.." she

. "We sh

kno

neither

r mouth. Her fingers curled sl

h

hone

ment s

anced at the screen. "It's the board. Emergency me

g, mask sliding back into

and walked

uc

d but didn

he said, voice hoarse. "I

r shoulder. "And I