Chapter 1

Chapter 1. The Contract

"Marry me."

Elena Carter stopped breathing for a second. She turned her head to the man who sat opposite her making sure she heard correctly.

"Excuse me?"

Adrian Black did not repeat what he said. He leaned back in his chair. Fixed his stare on her.

At twenty-nine he was one of the billionaires in New York. His name was known in business and fashion magazines in the gossip pages of newspapers in the heart of every brand. The press did not know about the side of Adrian Black.

The one that knew he was dangerous. Ruthless. Cold-blooded.

That if he ever set his mind to something he would stop at nothing until he achieved it.

Elena swallowed.

"Why would you want to marry me?"

His facial expression remained the same.

"Because I need a wife."

"That's not an answer."

"It doesn't have to be."

Adrian said, pushing a document across the table to her. Elena eyed the man warily before unfolding the paper.

What she saw made her heartbeat pick up.

It was a marriage contract.

She looked up at him confused.

"Excuse me?"

Adrian was unfazed.

"Do you think I'd waste your time with such a proposal?" He snapped his fingers and a black folder slid across the table to her. Elena took it tentatively. Unfolded it revealing a marriage contract. She read it carefully. Then looked up at the man.

"This is insane."

"I'm paying you five million dollars for her."

Adrian said, completely serious. Elena looked down at the contract her brow furrowing as she scanned the terms.

Duration of marriage: twelve months.

No emotional attachments.

No interference with her business life.

No questions concerning her husbands life.

Payment upon completing the contract: 5,000,000$.

Elena stopped breathing.

Five million!

She looked up at Adrian her voice shaking as she asked, "Is this a joke?"

"No,"

"Then why would you pay me five million?"

"Because five million is nothing to me."

Elena shook her head.

"You don't understand."

Adrian said with a shrug "I need a wife. You need money."

Elena turned her gaze away. For a man like this five million might not mean much. To her family the number could not come at a time.

Elenas fathers company was in ruins. Every day the debt collectors were at their house every day her parents got closer to losing everything. Yesterday the doctor had informed her that her father needed a treatment.

Her entire life flashed before her eyes while she struggled to think to create a plan in time. If it was not for this meeting with Adrian Black she had never conceived a notion to marry a billionaire.

"What would you do if I decline your offer?" Elena asked quietly. Adrians expression darkened.

"Then your fathers company goes bankrupt."

Elenas breath hitched.

"How did you know about my fathers situation?"

"I know everything about the Carter family."

There was something, in his eyes that made her uneasy.

"You've been investigating us."

"I don't investigate people without a reason."

"What reason could you have had to investigate us?"

Adrian was about to speak when Elena rose from her seat.

"If you want me to marry you without telling me the reason you are wasting your time."

She announced, walking towards the exit.

"Sit down."

Adrian said. Elena halted where she was and slowly turned to face him.

Adrian opened the case.

He put a photographs and documents on the table. Elena gasped, stunned at what she saw. Her father was talking to a stranger in front of the hotel. There were also documents that Elena had never seen before. One of them was a picture of Adrians father.

"What is this?" Elena whispered.

"My father."

Elena looked at him surprised.

"What happened to him?"

"I'll tell you what happened to him."

Adrians jaw hardened. Adrian said, "Your father knows. I do not understand. You do not need to say anything."

Adrian said, who suddenly sounded angry. "Your family destroyed mine."

Elena said in surprise. "My father would never do that."

"You don't know that."

Adrian stood. Elena was surprised how tall Adrian was. Adrian walked to Elena until there was a hands length between Elena and Adrian.

"What are you going to do if my daughter won't marry you?"

Elena turned away.

She did not know what to say.

Then Elena remembered her father, the smile he made before he fell asleep in the hospital. Promised Elena that he would live.

Elena looked into Adrians eyes. "If I marry you" Elena whispered, "you will help my family?"

"I will pay every dime of debt" Adrian said. "When the year is up?" Adrian smiled at Elenas sadness. "You leave."

Elena hesitated.

Elena knew she wanted to refuse. Yet Elena looked into Adrians eyes again. Saw something unfathomable in Adrian. Not hatred. Pain. The same pain Elenas father faced daily when people asked why Adrian Blacks company had gone bankrupt while no one had heard of Adrian Blacks debt collectors demanding Adrian Black to pay.

Suddenly Elena thought, "The last thing Elenas father needs is a fight with Adrian."

Elena looked up searching Adrians face.

"I will do it" Elena whispered. Adrian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you sure?" Elena replied. "I will be."

Elena took the pen trying not to think about Adrian Blacks hand on Elenas skin. Elena signed her name in letters—Elena Carter.

The moment Elena finished Adrian removed the pen from Elenas hand lingering over the signature with a smile that spoke of satisfaction. Elena thought nothing of it until Elena realized what was really happening. The marriage.

"What are you smiling at?" Elena muttered. "Nothing." "You were smiling." "I was." "Then it is good that Elena agreed to marry Adrian." Adrian shrugged. Elena took a look at Adrian. Elena did not believe it for a second. Somehow Adrian was more desirable than any man Elena had ever imagined.

"When are we getting married?" Adrian asked. "Tomorrow" Elena whispered, horrified.

"Tomorrow?" Adrian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Sorry you do not have time."

This is crazy Elena thought. Adrian looked calm and composed as death. A part of Adrian however was screaming on the inside.

Tomorrow!

Elena was suddenly overwhelmed with relief. At least Elena had all the time in the world to prepare for what was coming Elenas way. If Elena was not mistaken this was the day of the rest of Elenas life.

"Is there anything" Elena asked. "If" Adrian paused, searching Elenas eyes "If because of Adrian Blacks family you are marrying Adrian out of desperation..."

Elena took a breath. "Don't expect Elena to love Adrian."

For the time Elena saw something in Adrians eyes close to humanity.

Adrian was about to speak when Elena turned away pretending not to notice Adrians words. Adrian leaned closer.

"Don't expect Elena to love Adrian."

Adrian Black had promised himself never to fall in love with the daughter of the man who had ruined Adrian Blacks life.

Not after everything Elena had put Adrian through.

Neither Adrian nor Elena knew that the woman standing before Adrian was not the person, for the death and destruction.

That the time Adrian spent with Elena the more difficult it would be to separate love from revenge.

Elena picked up her bag.

"When are we getting married?" Adrian asked. "Tomorrow" Elena was stunned. "Tomorrow? That is insane!" "Welcome to Adrians world."

Elena looked at Adrian about to say something when Adrian said, "One thing."

"If you are only marrying me because of your family..."

Elena took a breath.

"Do not expect me to love you."

For the time something like doubt flickered across Adrian’s face. Adrian came closer. Whispered,

"Do not worry, Elena,"

A smile played on Adrian’s lips. "I would never have expected otherwise."

Adrian paused.

"I only wanted you to be mine."

The words sent shivers down Elena’s spine. Elena had no idea that tonight on Elena’s wedding day she would find the secret that Adrian Black had tried to hide from Elena.

Who destroyed Adrians family?

Why was Elena the one the billionaire was willing to spend his life with?