At thirty-three, he had already built an empire that spanned cont

is reputation-a reputation built on ruthless business tactics, unflinching determina

just one of power but of danger. People whispered about him, spinning tales of how he could crush his enemies with a single look

t, avoided the social scene, and rarely gave interviews. The few who had met him in pe

n. It wasn't something that many people knew about; Alexander kept it well hidden. He had learned to control it over

reat care to ensure that Alexander's boundaries were respected. The phobia had made his personal life n

s energy on his business empire. But the one person who wouldn't

e tragic death of his parents when he was a child, and she was the only person who could still exert influence over

d with both affection and exasperation. "It's time for you to bring home a

e was too busy to think about marriage or children. But Evelyn was

ughter of a prominent family with close ties to the Drakes. Alexander had never liked

rved to deepen his disdain for her. He had no intention of marrying her, but his grand

Vanessa at Alexander's request. What he found only confirmed Alexander's suspicio

nd there were whispers that she had been involved in severa

persuade her that Vanessa was not the right woman for him. But Evelyn had dism

that she is from a good family, and she can give you an heir. You're too p

intless. She was determined to see him married, and Vanessa was her chosen bride

marry Vanessa, and then, after a respectable amount of time, he would divorce her. It would be a business arrangement, nothing more. He woul

he didn't care about the details because she wouldn't let him get a divorce; she was sure he would fall in lo

, Alexander found himself growing increasingly apprehensive. The idea of being bound to Vanessa, even temporarily, filled him w

ander's concerns, reminding him that it was only te

he couldn't predict. And despite his cold exterior, the thought of the unknown, of lo

dutiful husband, and then, when the time was right, he would end it. It was a plan that seemed simple enough, b