reputation as though it were sacred scripture. His only son, Leo, was the pride of that legacy, so every detail of his

bride she had pictured beside Leo had always been Elsie-the impeccably raised daughter of the Norris family, polis

shattered those dreams. He had ordered Leo to wed Khloe inste

ider-an interloper who had materialized from nowhere an

ress for tomorrow. That shade of pink is ridiculous-more like something a bridesmaid woul

en give her a real wedding dress? She'll likely show up in that thing t

d to whispers, convinced their goss

ll of it. Her hearing, already sharp since childhood, had tur

bric, feeling every seam and bead, and a cold,

view-Leo with his shirt hanging open and his bare chest exposed, and Elsie with

d Khloe to return so early; irritation flickered acros

she dismissed the household staff in the hall, then shot Leo a pointed loo

to her forehead. Leaning close, he murmured in a low, indulgent wh

then darted down the remaining steps

le curving her lips as

curacy-she knew Leo's stride by heart and could map the room b

thand or catch the panic surely twisting across th

ine rattled off a few quick in

usual serene composure. She looked silent and a

quiet relief. From her expressio

s face before taking a seat beside her. When he reached for her ch

licate ease. "I did. I brought it back

s left behind. For a blink, something sharp crossed his expression, then he tucked it aw

offering a small, airy smile. "You

d her shoulders, pulling her close. "Don't be silly. Y

ng to him-sweet, cloying, unmistakably intimate. The s

eased out of his hold, her palm driftin

lt dis

eeting

already mark

work first thing tomorrow," Leo a

mouth and dipped her head in

he got up, and the warmth on his face vanished in an instant.

did. She'd step right where he wanted her

good. Her bland, lifeless demeanor left him irri

l building buzzed beneath a sky w

lowed with couples pressing shoulder-to-shoul

e sat with her hands folded neatly ov

the counter, impatiently tapping hi

kimming through the forms, they casually asked a few r

edge, Leo answered in an ea

explained, "The groom isn't me. His name is James Elliott. The bride is Khloe Norri

away behind the s

inched around her can

ery scrap of gossip she'd ever he

le in raising him. Therefore, he had grown up rough-edged and untamed after losing his mother, a wild streak carved deep into him-violent

striking to belong to this world, as if

lifeline in their grip, a city celebrated across the world for its perfume empire.

hed for endlessly in the Barnett household might

through her mind, a low rumble e

the center, a silver Koenigsegg glided forward and swung to a stop at the gate with icy, p

city-loud, showy, and

en in sharp black suits filed out, lining up in

legs descended first, fitted neatly into tailored black trous

e car, unfolding into view wit

its top buttons undone just enough to reveal the hard lines of

ith an easy, unhurried sway. Each step carried a quiet command, his presence flooding the space with effortless dominance. That se

riage registration. He looked like someone re