, concrete expanse of the hote

e bathrobe belt holding her torn dres

section. She dug her keys out of he

ights fla

step, the screech of heavy t

lower ramp. They swerved violently, one braking inches f

er heart slammed

into her bag, her fingers wrapping aro

f the lead Esca

leg ste

es emerged fr

ed suit. His hair was perfectly styled. His

sperate man from the night before. H

r, he held the crumpled hundred-do

r size and presence sucked the

orcing Abigail to tilt her

His voice was a low, flat ba

e stared straight into hi

isal," she shot back. "Since you se

nk. He didn't show

hand and snapp

d the SUV. He walked forward and held out a t

she demanded, re

uire a wife to satisfy a clause in my family's trust, and a str

harsh laugh. "I do

g to the ground as we speak. Preston Vance's scandal will dra

The scent of cedar

only for one year. In exchange, I will personally

e folder from Alex.

ic events. No interference in his private life.

Cold, sterile, and utt

with suppressed rage. "Why pick a woman

yes lingered on the scar for exactly one

action of the cost. Marrying you gives me a legitimate, inside angle to dismantle them from the top down. As for my family, they will never believe I would willingly marry someone so physical

it her like

e had about the way he kissed he

pain. He just saw her def

's bloo

nd slammed it directly into t

ges fluttered through the air, scatt

ssed, her eyes blazing with fury, "t

he garage tu

tantly stepped forward, their

a single finger.

n the floor, then back at Abig

ret this," he

anked the door of her Porsche open an

e ignition. The engine roared, echoi

led as she cut the wheel hard, the side of her c

mp and disappeared

rfectly still in

n at the scat

rdered Alex. "She won't