Novels by xtwinklebellex

The first thing I saw the following morning was a message from an unknown number.The second was Adrian Blackwell standing outside my bedroom door, looking like he had already dealt with three disasters before breakfast.I glanced at my phone again.Unknown Number: Stop asking questions about Blackwell Grand if you know what's good for you.For several seconds, I simply stared at the screen.Then I read it again, hoping the words might somehow become less ridiculous the second time.They didn't.I had spent six months being called a thief by people who had never bothered to examine the evidence. I had lost my position, my engagement, and nearly every relationship I once believed mattered. Someone threatening me over a hotel renovation was not exactly the fresh start I had imagined.Still, the timing was suspicious.Yesterday, I had questioned a financial report. This morning, someone wanted me to stop.That wasn't a coincidence I intended to ignore.A knock sounded on my door."Mara?"

If there was one thing I had learned about Adrian Blackwell, it was that he considered the word tomorrow a perfectly acceptable excuse for ruining my entire day.Unfortunately, he proved that theory at eight thirty the following morning.I was halfway through my breakfast when he entered the dining area, carrying a newspaper and his usual expression of someone who had never experienced an inconvenience in his life."Good morning, Mrs. Blackwell."I looked up from my plate. "If this is another appointment, I'm going back to bed.""We have somewhere to go at nine."I slowly put down my fork."Adrian, I swear, if you say the word 'event'—""It's not an event."I narrowed my eyes."Then what is it?""A business meeting."I stared at him for three seconds before leaning back in my chair. "Somehow, that's worse."He placed the newspaper beside my plate and took the seat across from me. "We're meeting with the general manager of Blackwell Grand, our flagship hotel. You'll be involved in the

The first rule of being Adrian Blackwell's wife was that I had to look as though I was in love with him.The second was that I had to do it before breakfast.I discovered this at seven thirty the following morning when a knock sounded on my bedroom door. I was still sitting on the edge of my bed, struggling to tame my hair, when Adrian's voice came from the other side."Ten minutes, Mara."I glanced at the clock."Ten minutes for what?""Breakfast."I looked down at my oversized shirt and pajama shorts. "Unless you've developed a sudden interest in watching me eat cereal, I suggest you give me at least thirty.""We have somewhere to be at nine."I froze."Somewhere?""An event.""What event?""The Blackwell Foundation's annual charity breakfast."I stared at the closed door as though it had personally betrayed me."You cannot be serious.""I rarely joke before eight in the morning.""Then perhaps you should start. It might improve your personality."There was a brief silence."Twenty

The first thing I learned about being Adrian Blackwell's wife was that the man could turn a simple car ride into an interrogation without asking a single question.The second was that he had absolutely no intention of making my life easy."You've been staring at that contract for twenty minutes," Adrian remarked from the opposite side of the car.I lifted my eyes from the folder resting on my lap. "And you've been watching me for twenty minutes. Should I be concerned?""Only if you're planning to sign something you don't understand."I scoffed. "Unlike some people, I actually read before I sign."His gaze briefly dropped to the documents in my hands."Good. Then you'll understand why I expect you at the penthouse by seven tonight."I stared at him."Excuse me?""We have a meeting with the family lawyer at eight. He'll finalize the marriage arrangements and explain the trust requirements.""You could have mentioned that before I signed.""You could have asked."I opened my mouth, then

The night my fiancé stole my future, he had the audacity to ask me to smile for the cameras."Come on, Mara. Just one smile." Daniel Hayes adjusted his cufflinks, his lips curving into the charming smile that had once made me fall in love with him. "Everyone is watching."I stared at him beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Ellison Grand Hotel's ballroom. Hundreds of guests filled the room, dressed in expensive suits and designer gowns, celebrating what my family had advertised as the beginning of a new era for our hotel empire.Funny. I hadn't realized the celebration was for my funeral."Why is my signature on the transfer documents?" I asked quietly.Daniel's smile didn't falter. He took my hand, pressing a kiss against my knuckles as though we were the happiest couple in the room. To anyone watching, we probably looked perfect.But his fingers tightened around mine."Not here," he murmured."Then where? In the room where you decided to sell my family's properties behind my ba