The Silent Heiress's Million Dollar Gambit

p cologne and severe ha

eight that barely reached Emilee's shoulders was trying to pin her to th

lee nauseous. "Take a good look at yourself. You're nothing but a useless, unwanted mute. A pathetic piece of garbage. You aren't even fit to shine my shoes! But y

round and delivered a vicious, bone

the floor and clutching himself in agony, unable to stand

door open, E

corridor without a sound. That was the problem with expensive plac

. That disgusting old man's bodyguards and

o the wall. Pain shot down the arm, sharp and gr

e clinical term. It felt more like drowning on dry la

darted down t

ack door with gold trim stood slightly ajar. I

against the door and

d of expensive leather, aged whiskey

unshot.She pressed her back against the wood, her chest heaving. Heavy footsteps thudded outside

n't know she was holding. Then

ped her

ting on the sofa, legs crossed, an arm draped casu

she recognized him from financial reports. The t

e social ladder. She vividly recalled how her father had acted like a fawning, tail-wagging dog, trying desperately to curry favor with the man sitting before her. To get even th

nted. It couldn't get worse than the bald bastard beh

but she forced them to move. She reached into her pocket,

thmically against the crystal glass. Tap. Tap. Tap. H

him, she planted both hands on his shoulders and shoved him back onto the velvet sof

ody tensing under her hands, a da

ibbled quickly, the tip tearing the paper.

e looke

jagged, rushed. MARR

posal," he said, his voice deep, smooth, like gravel wrapped in

. "But I'm not interested in playing charity. Get

his wrist. Her hand was sm

p at her face. Her eyes were terrified. Not the fake terro

y footsteps returned. "Did

n. She shook her head frantically. Please. The word

ist, breaking her grip, and then caught her hand in his. He pulled her closer. She stumble

spered, his breath warm against her skin, a

es as stubborn as a cornered little beast that still

ssed Carlisle's eyes, quickly followed by a sub

to stir even a ripple in his stagnant pool of desire. But now, as her unique scent-a delicate trace of vanilla intertwined with the sharp tang of adrenaline-filled his senses, and the ghost of her c

n muscles. The sheer absurdity that she was the one to make his pulse tick faster after years of absolute numbness was intrigu

smile touched the c

n octave, carrying a low, gravelly weight th

uit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. It engu

go,"

n door, but to a panel in

lack Maybach was w

marriage license prepped. Now. Yes, I'm serious. Get a judge on the line and arran

ket. She watched him. He was

his watch. A P

Don't get any ideas," he said

heeks heating up under th

office, a man in a sharp suit was wait

Emilee's fishnets with horro

pen, Archer,"

hand shook, but the letters

to her. His signature

s married. According to her mother's trust fund stipulations,