m

, I was disoriented by the unfamiliar room-the enormous bed, the luxurious sheets, t

. A business trans

om Jace: Good luck today. Don'

circumstances, my brother could make me laugh. I tex

k interrupte

rough the door. "The glam team has arrived

was a glam team. "I'll be r

s. This wasn't a real wedding, I reminded myself. Jus

to a high-end salon. Three women in black uniforms waited in t

ed hair approached me. "I'm Zoe, your stylist for

e like elegant vultures. One worked on my hair, another on my nails, while Zoe

ssic, elegant look," she reminded

worry," she whispered to me. "We'll make sure you lo

n intricate updo with a few loose tendrils framing my face. My makeup enhanced my features wi

dress," Ms.

lders and a modest train. No puffy princess gown for the fake Devereux bride. But as they helped me into it, I coul

d, adjusting my train. "Your husb

ined dinner two nights ago. According to Ms. Chen, he'd been staying a

en opened it, revealing a tall, elegant woman with

asked, her voice carrying

n said with unusual defe

s mother? But no-his parents were

gaze sweeping over me from head

. The woman circled me slowly, exami

id. "You are the gir

I said, lifting my

arguerite Devereux. Lucien's aunt. Th

much about her. "It's nice

" She reached out, adjusting one of my hairpins. "You're

this for the

million dollars." Her direct

ng it for my brother. And to find

on-surprise, perhaps. "Interesting.

s a lot Vincent

face. "Oh, I might like you after all, Amira Wynters." She reached int

with tiny diamond accents. "Every Devereux bride has wo

ly touched. "But I'm not really a

the pin into my updo. "Whatever your reasons, whatever Vinc

he secured the pin. "There.

u," I sai

r expression serious. "Lucien is... c

ident," I said. "His

. Lucien hasn't been the same since." She touched my cheek lightly. "Don't expect warm

knocked and entered. "The car is

ever need an ally in the Devereux family..." She pressed

the room, leaving me clutching her card an

*

property with its own beach access and security perimeter. The guest list was small but influe

had arrived an hour earlier, uncomfortable in his new suit but determi

he said awkwardly. "Like

"Thanks, Jace. I wish

re crazy," he said,

t the door. "It's t

arm. "Ready to ma

eath. "As ready

ring quartet playing softly. As Jace and I appeared at the end of the aisle, everyone rose.

eyes intense as they locked with mine. For a moment, something flickered in those eyes-sur

hing me with calculating eyes. Beside him, Mar

ly down the aisle. Each step brought me closer to my

ced my hand in Lucien's with unexpected formality. "Take

grip firm. "I will," he replied, the pra

ither of us intended to keep beyond the letter of our contract. When the officiant pronounced us hus

een us, brief but undeniable. I felt Lucien stiffen slightly, his hand

le, we opened the dancing with a waltz. Lucien's hand rested lightly on my waist,

I said, trying to

he replied. "A Devereu

"I learned from YouTube t

ly. "You move gracefully

t a compliment,

eux." His eyes met mine. "Y

with practiced smoothness. Lucien released me without h

and cold against my waist. "You look

ovely ceremony," I r

ach his eyes. "I see Lucien has warmed to you s

you hoping will be

circle before continuing. "Lucien needs stability. Direction. Som

on? A stranger you're paying

u realize it yet." The song ended, and he stepped back. "En