g in the air, a rude awakening fro

othed down the front of her dress, her fingers trembling slightly. She took two steps ba

at her for a second, his eyes still dark and stormy, before he spun his w

ked, his voice dr

ly strained. "Sir. I apologize for the interruption. Corneliu

anger in his posture instantly evapor

tator of the Fitzpatrick empire. He never left the fam

re. The Hamptons scandal. The sudden, cha

back to Aspen. His expressio

as will show you to the guest wi

e real power players were taking the board. She watched

ndary elevator. He led Aspen down a long, d

, hanging in pristine rows, were dozens of designer dresses, casual wear, and si

gs. Everything was

osal last night; he had been preparing for her arrival long before sh

into the wood-paneled study. The room smel

He was eighty years old, but his eyes were as sharp and predatory as a hawk's. He

tonight, Deron," Cornel

eelchair in the center of the room. "And I humiliated Van

n. "There are a hundred women in New York with impeccable pedigrees who would marry you for the

He didn't tap his finger. He didn

on said. His voice was quiet, but it

You are a Fitzpatrick. We do not mar

the image of her at a debutante ball years ago-defiant even then, a flash of wildness in her eyes that no one else se

's cold mask. As the patriarch, Cornelius only cared about results. Deron needed a wife to so

ver and placed a heavy, liver-s

t down before the board starts asking questions. You will marr

ood," De

his grip tightening painfully on Deron's should

one in the dark study. He pulled out

ears. Every overseas trip, every missing rec

the Hogans. But he knew she was keeping secrets. An

e master suite. Aspen had showered. She was standing by the window,

't touch her, but his presence en

, his voice flat. "We are ge