The bar around her blurred, voices fading into a dull hum. She clutched the edge of

lexande

like an anchor pulling her deeper into a dark abyss.

that she set it back down. The alcohol she'd consumed earlier had

the present. This time, it wasn't her moth

beginning, Emma.

creen, her breath catching in her throat. She

ces were clearly limitless, just like his control over the situation. He hadn't e

The reality of her situation was terrifying-she was about to become the wife of a man she didn'

ing her father worth selling

-guess her decision. She had no other option

ushing through the crowd. The bar's atmosphere, once buzzing with li

r mind still spinning. The world around her seemed to move at a diffe

ught, when a sleek black car pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, a

voice calm and professional. "Mr.

as she searched for words. Of course, Alexander wo

Alexander already had over her life. But a larger part of her, the exhausted

king into the plush leather. The door closed with a quiet c

ted her head against the window, staring out at the world she barely r

presence had filled the room. He was dangerous. Cold. But underneath that icy ext

g more than just her hand in marriage.

, the driver stepping out to open her door. "Have a

he building and up to her apartment. The small, familiar space felt f

t still racing. She needed time to think, to figure out what her next move would

was from her mother: "Emma, your father needs you.

rgent. Her father needed her, and the only way to help

d no c

o come the next day, and then dropped the phone onto the couch. Exhaustion finally ca

e gotten he

buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. She groaned, rub

ents of the previous night came rushing back to her in a wave

hone, her heart sinking as she

AM. My lawyer wi

impersonal tone of the message sent a shiver

he had two hours before her li

her thoughts racing. She had no idea what the day would bring, but she knew

l dining table, dressed in the most professional outfit she c

ply, and she jumped

d, her voice tre

doubt. "This is Mr. Mason's legal counsel. I have the marriage contract ready fo

at. It was happening. The

pered, her voice

e phone in her hand. In a matter of hours, she would be married

e had no idea what kin