armed the floor, their flashlights cutting through the dim emergency lighting like desperate searchlights. But

man she had mourned for three agonizing years. The man whose "death" had for

hock of white, but his eyes-those sharp, uncompromisi

posure fractured. He saw her empty neckline and his eyes wide

thousand miles per minute. "No police, Marcus. Not a word of this to the board. If the shareholders think my father i

e Blue

returning to her eyes. "I knew Julian would move tonight.

orters who tried to shove microphones into her face. Her mind was a tactical map. Julian Vane wasn

d her watc

e Estate-a fortress of glass and steel perched on t

they hit the sidewalk. "And get me the bla

ental tech your father was working on before

is just a bargaining chip. I'm going to go s

NE FOR

g roads of the coastal cliffs, Avery felt the weight of her choice. For three years, she had be

f expecting her. The mansion was a brutalist masterpiec

ion. "If I'm not out by 2:00 AM, trigger the 'scorched earth' pr

In the center of the vast living area, Julian Vane sat in a high-backed leather chair, facing the ocea

low, resonant rumble that seemed to vibrate in Avery's chest. "I'v

ng directly behind him. "Where is

rt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms corded with musc

lock of hair from her forehead. "But safety is an expensive commodity. Your father made a promise to me ten years ago. He promised m

t can bypass any encryption in the world. My f

ip, a gesture that was terrifyingly intimate. "I don't want the algorithm to destro

VILS B

nto this estate. You will play the part of my fiancée for the next three months. We will merge

red against her rib

He picked up a remote and pressed a button. A wall

cal room. Arthur Woods was sitting in a chair,

replaced with air. You've spent three years playing a mute wi

ving thing, but beneath it was something else-a spark of recognition. Julia

r game. But the moment I find out you've hurt him, I will burn your empire t

gerous curve of the lips.

ed behind her. He draped the heavy sapphire around

e, fiancée,"

ne buzzed in her clutch. She pulled it

video file from

hit

fice-the secret records room of the Woods Group. They were shred

he real Woods heiress. Look at the DNA results. Arthur Woo

eo cut

hing her with an unreadable expression. Did he know? Was her ent

n rocked the estate. The glass windows

ng her to the floor as red laser d

state? And if Avery isn't t