per bag containing three stale donuts in her h

ce. The e

the donuts rolling across the st

eart hammering against her ribs. She ran down the length of the ope

is head out of the offi

abbing his shirt. "Have you s

ing with her phone, her vision blurred with tears, when a bea

wed by Riley and Mila. They saw her and broke

am

fierce, desperate hug. Relief, so intense it was painful, washed over her, followed by a wa

. A pair of expensive leather

a loo

l, powerful frame seemed to suck all the air out of the space, a stark,

ing pleasure-crashed over her. Instinct took over. She pulled

a knife twisting in his gut. He stopped a careful ten f

na's legs. "Mama, we found him!

hter, then whipped her head back to the man, her eyes b

ce, adopting the persona of a weary, put-upon employee. "Ma'am,

A man who can afford a penthouse suite at the Grand Hote

s out of town. As for the car-" he gestured at the dented Honda with a self-deprecating shrug, "-the company provides good benefits, but

t the fear and suspicion remain

is voice was calm and logical. "Grandma nee

e desperation was a fresh wave o

a folded document from the inside pock

t it, refusi

t's a contract," he said,

she asked, her voice

marriage of convenience. I need a wife to get my famil

left her speechless. She stared at

hem in half, and threw the pieces at his feet

en back up at her. "The hospital will discontinue your mother's treatme

eaving her exposed and vulnerable. The strength

her arm to steady her. His touch was warm and firm

paused, letting the silence stretch, and when he spoke again, his tone had shifted-da

er cheeks flooding wit

glint of something far more dangerous. "Most arranged marriages fail

ged on Benedict's pant leg. "Mr. Ryan

son. Benedict's composure cracked for a fraction of a second-a twitch at the corner o

a hissed. "Th

e conviction of a child who had witnessed something and refused to be

e decency to look mildly embarrassed, tho

o protect you," he explained, his vo

peated, her voice

n," he said. "They d

d, her small hands clutching A

she looked at the stranger whose touch burned her skin, the man o