the contract i

the pen, her mind a storm

ye

s of playing the devoted wife to

erything so perfectly that sh

s in his pockets, his expression unreadable. There was no smugness, no

y and convince me?" she asked,

. "You already know your answe

that he

ked up the pen and, in one s

the contract away, slipping it into a sleek folder li

rried life," h

ck in her chair

t least buy m

ou'll need it sooner than you think. We

tightened.

rance as a couple. Cameras, interviews, influential

maybe have time to adjust before stepping into the spotligh

uttered. "Whe

er, pulled out a velvet

breath

ide, sparkling under the warm lig

mplete

she assu

is

band," Killian finished for her. "

use in their world, p

nd stepped closer. His fingers, cool

rfec

breathe. "I guess ther

ering beneath the surface. "No, Li

ke a sea of golden stars, reflecting off t

e, her arm tucked into Killian's

attention-but th

investigative journalist tonight. Th

had been picked out for her. Her makeup, her jewelry-everythi

a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, he exuded the kind of power

mured, his lips

d slightly as if this were the

ersations filled the air. The room was a battlefield disguised as elegance, fi

ar faces, his grip on Liana's

rapped. But strangely,

th

vo

r. Too

never thought I'd see t

urned a

am E

ldhood

in the small coastal town of Bridgehaven, a place know

a wealthy and influential background-the Ellis owned one o

s, and unafraid to challenge him, while he was sharp-witted and drawn to her fearless nature. They spent their

ng into something neither of them dared to defi

way at sixteen to attend an elite boarding school in Europe. The Ellis

ve beneath the cliffs. He promised he'd find a way back to her, then planted a kis

him leave wi

ike that,

n't spok

just the boy who left, he was a huge busine

orld

cked onto hers, his smirk fa

e a whisper, but it carried enough

waist, his grip subtly tighte

hroat was

am finished for her, his

ast she thought she had b

ion unreadable. But Liana could feel it-t

wasn't just a

an's biggest

d

g at Killian