Chapter seven

LOGAN

“You can stay at our private island till everything is done,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.

We stood side by side in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in my study, watching the morning sun stretch across the lawn. The grass looked perfect. Fake, almost. 

 “Okay,” Keith said. 

He didn’t ask questions. He never did unless he needed answers. That’s why I trusted him more than most.

Even now, with thirty companies under his belt and half the world calling him a business prodigy, he still made time.

“Thanks for handling that proposal from Dubai despite your hectic schedule,” I added, “I would’ve gone myself, but there’s a wedding to plan. You were the better option anyway.”

That wasn’t just flattery. It was a fact.

Keith didn’t just read contracts—he read people. Understood silence better than most CEOs understood money. That was why he sat at the top. And why I needed him to oversee this deal.

“Hectic schedule?” he said.

“You oversee thirty subsidiaries. That has to be tasking.”

On paper, sure—he ran an empire. But in reality, Keith had people for everything.

Strategists. Legal teams. Personal proxies who signed things when he didn’t feel like lifting a pen.

Still, I respected him. More than most.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said calmly.

A flash of silver caught the edge of my eye. I turned just in time to see the Rolls-Royce pull into the circular drive. The door opened. She stepped out. Liana Dakota.

Hair pulled back, black dress, chin lifted.

“She hates her father,” I said flatly, more to myself than to Keith.

Keith didn’t answer.

Raymond Dakota thought he was playing chess with me.

He offered his daughter like a damn bargaining chip—no public record of her, fake stories about Paris and business schools. He thought I’d fall for it.

But I already knew.

Grandfather had insisted on this match. Said it would “unite the legacies.” That it was “her or nothing.”

Normally, I would’ve walked. I didn’t do marriages especially not after that incident.

But Grandfather was the only person I respected.

And I don’t say that lightly. So I said yes. Then I started digging. And it didn’t take long.

One source. That’s all I needed. Someone already on the inside of Dakota Corp.

Raymond’s plan was simple: marry off his hidden daughter to gain access to the Grey family empire.

He thought he could use her to climb higher. He thought wrong.

Because now she’s mine—on paper. 

I gave her a contract: Two years. 

Just enough time for me to turn the board.

Raymond thinks he’s playing me.

But by the time I’m done, his name will mean nothing. His empire will be ashes. And Liana? She’s just collateral, unless she turns out to be useful.

Keith’s phone buzzed. 

“I’ll handle the Dubai proposal and check in after.”

I gave a short nod. He walked out without another word, the door clicking quietly behind him.

I stayed where I was, facing the window.

The Rolls-Royce was still outside. Liana hadn’t moved. Just stood there like she was prepping for war. For someone raised in the shadows, she sure knew how to hold a spotlight.

She hated her father. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that. I’d seen it in her eyes. Good. I needed her to hate him.

A knock hit the door.

“Come in.”

Aria stepped in, I didn't have to turn around, I knew she was the one. “The guests downstairs are asking to see you.”

Of course they are.

“Let them know I won’t be coming down. Tell them something polite.”  

“Yes, sir,” she said. The door shut again. 

I didn’t move from the window.

Liana was still standing there, now checking her phone, one hand clenched at her side like she was barely holding it together. I’d noticed how she dressed—always covered, wrist to ankle, like she had something to hide. Maybe she did. Maybe it was just habit. Either way, it wasn’t my business. Not unless it became useful.

A moment later, Mother appeared next to her. Liana looked up when she reached her, then tucked her phone away quickly. They exchanged a few words I couldn’t hear. Mother rested a hand lightly on her back, guiding her inside.

I watched them until they disappeared into the house. 

Let's begin the game, shall we, Dakotas?