His Forbidden Bride

hina'

if I wanted to marry L

glass table like it was any ordinary business meeting. "Lucian Vale

arly what he said. But then the name hit

an V

of it pull

ey'll drop the acquisition and settle the case out of court if we foll

ing the picture of elegance. She didn't even look at me. Not f

. It wasn't even a cho

s the sa

red, my voice catching before I forced it sha

in the room. His eyes were flat. Businesslike. "We tried. This is the only optio

to fists in my lap.

king. "Lucian gets a wife from a reputable

one b

ed to protect me, realizing they weren't negoti

aid, voice breaking but steady e

father replied evenly, li

nd what about what I wa

together, the faintest crack in her

ked him. You said

for who you used to be. But this is about who

r anymore? My life is j

aid, almost bored. "Love is a luxury. Pe

. The truth.

ere shaking, but it carried me to my room. The door slammed behind me, an

an V

flinch. The man who never smiled, who had built an empire on ruthless pre

supposed t

floor, covering my

buzzed in

lk? I'm feeling aw

rom worry about how he knew what

e. He now happens to be the only person wh

ched to reply-until anoth

ou'll both pay for it. The deal

ately. Goosebumps covered my skin

the words over and o

r and moved to the window like someo

ck SUV sat waiting. Dark

flashed once, t

back from

ready wa

door made me j

ice came, too soft. "Please

as always, but her eyes were too calm for the chaos she an

to protect yo

g me into

apart, sweetheart. Lucian Vale is

now him," I respo

his father. They are ruthless, yes, but they tend to take care of

he word was

fear," I snapped, my voice b

as heavier th

finally, desperate, raw.

idn't soften. "Cli

n't c

simply. "One day you'

th infuriating calm, as though

her I had any ownership over my own life left. Was this what

e buzze

oming over. I

ore I could breathe, a

shows up, it won't end

from my hand. My

like poison. I wasn't sad. I wa

ow felt like danger. I stayed by the window until dawn,

shaky breath. M

til 6:

her

ngagement dress at 3 p.m. today. Location h

ped f

the seco

linton goodbye. You wo

s a picture

e corner near

My heart stopped be