Mag-log inClara Hayes's eyes lit up with realization.
"Got it—so you're still working on it, not quite there yet.""But getting him to cut his trip short and head back to New York early? That's a historic win!""My brother's the kind of guy who never deviates from his schedule for anyone. If he's breaking plans for you, what else is it but love?"She sighed, half-teasing."When do I get to call you sister-in-law?"At that, Alexander Knight leaned down, his warm breatAfter Lisa left, Alexander closed the door again.Click.The lock slid into place, sealing the dead silence inside the room.The lounge was dimly lit. The air hung heavy, suffocating.Alexander turned around.He stood tall and rigid like a pine tree, his shadow swallowing Ethan whole where he knelt on the floor.Ethan still knelt there, staring up, his eyes bloodshot."Stand up. Kneeling looks pathetic."Alexander spoke. His voice was flat, unwavering, but carried an overwhelming weight.Ethan's back stiffened. He did not move."Do you need me to help you?"Alexander looked down at him. His gaze was calm as still water, but icy to the bone.Ethan's fingers dug into the carpet. His knuckles turned white.He struggled, but finally crumpled under that look.He staggered to his feet."Dad. You and Lisa. Is it really true?"Even after Lisa's brutal words and undeniable proof, a shred of absurd hope still clun
I stared at Ethan's ashen, crumbling face and let out a low, cold laugh. I twisted the knife deeper. "Once you hated me for clinging to you. Now I’m clinging to your dad." "Does that feel good?" "Hearing me call him husband. Hearing him tell me to be good." "How does it feel to be my precious little stepson now?" "Ah!!!" He clamped his hands over his head and let out a savage, broken scream. Sobs tore out of his throat. Collapse. Absurdity. Crushing regret swallowed him whole. "Why…why him of all people…" Blood vessels burst in his bloodshot eyes. He looked wild, desperate. "How dare you…" "How dare the two of you?!" I looked down and smoothed my skirt, my tone lazy and cruel. "Why wouldn’t we dare?" "Your dad made the first move. He forced me to get the marriage license. He’s the one who made me call him husband." Something suddenly clicked in his head. His pupils shrank violent
Night.New York.The Imperial Palace Grand Ballroom.Lights blazed bright.Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like falling stars.The engagement party for the Knight and Voss families was in full swing.Every name that mattered in New York high society was in attendance.I didn't ride with Alexander.He'd left earlier to handle the arrangements.I arrived late. On purpose.I walked in alone, wearing an ice-blue couture gown.The fabric hugged my frame, scattered with tiny crystals that shimmered all the way to my ankles.With every step, I moved like moonlight spilling across the floor.My hair was loosely pinned up.An ice-blue diamond crescent hairpin gleamed against the dark strands.I swept my gaze calmly across the room.I took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray.I'd barely taken a sip when a figure suddenly blocked my path.Ethan Knight.Bloodshot eyes.Slightly ru
Afterward, the bedroom was filled with nothing but shallow, ragged breaths.I lay limp and sated in the tangled sheets, my throat raw and dry."Water."Alexander chuckled, pressed a kiss to my damp temple, and got up.His back was broad, his waist narrow, littered with fresh scratches.When he returned, he held two bottles of water.He twisted the cap off one and held it to my lips, carefully supporting the back of my neck as he let me drink slowly.The water soothed my throat, easing the hoarseness.I let out a soft sigh. A few strands of wet hair clung to my flushed cheeks.Alexander wiped a stray drop from the corner of my mouth, then glanced at the ruined sheets."I’ve got to change these. No way we’re sleeping on that."He moved toward the closet against the wall, like he already knew where everything was.My apartment wasn’t big, but it was warm, decorated in soft hues.The air smelled like the
My heart pounded like a drum against my ribs."Alexander. Coaching your son to eavesdrop? That's a new low, even for you."I gasped out the words, biting his jaw."Letting him hear it firsthand? That's what really cuts deep.""Knowing isn't enough. He needs to feel it. Understand what'completely out of the game'actually means."Alexander let out a low laugh, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, his voice dropping to a gravelly rasp.His palm dug into my waist.I sucked in a sharp breath.This man, when he went for the kill, didn't spare anyone. Not even his own blood.The hall outside went dead silent for a beat.Then the pounding on the door came back. Harder. More frantic."Who's in there?! Who the hell are you?!"Alexander chuckled darkly, kissing my sweat-damp temple."Tell him who I am."I bit down on his palm. When he flinched, I gasped out loud enough for the hall to hear."The bastard who owns me!"
At my words, Alexander didn't show the slightest displeasure. Instead, a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes, like he'd known I'd say exactly that.He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the entryway console table on either side of me, caging me completely within his space."I know. I rushed it."He admitted it readily, his voice low and smooth."Twenty-two. Your world just opened up. Endless prospects. You shouldn't be tied down by a marriage contract."Alexander seemed to read every hesitation I had. His thumb traced gently across my cheek, cutting off the words still forming on my lips."I'm ten years older. Asking you to marry me at this point probably sounds like I'm taking advantage of your inexperience, like I'm manipulating a young woman who doesn't know any better.""But sweetheart, this isn't some impulse on my part.""The Knights aren't an ordinary family. And the old man is no pushover.""If he can't get what he wants throu
Alexander's palm closed around hers, steadying the fishing rod firmly between her fingers."Mermaid?""Not in this sea."His voice brushed her ear, laced with quiet amusement."But there's a disobedient one on this boat."I opened my mouth to reply.The warm pad of h
The white yacht sliced through the azure sea, its engines humming a steady, low purr. A briny wind, sharp with the tang of the open sea, swept into the cabin.I leaned against the porthole, watching the pier shrink into a cluster of colorful blocks in the distance.Alexander sat opposit
I stared at the identical keycard. My mind buzzed.Of course.Clara, the ever-dutiful little matchmaker, was at it again."Guess my luck’s just that good—I got randomly assigned to the boss’s suite."Alexander Knight's gaze swept over my half-exposed shoulder
I steadied my nerves, a practiced smile playing on my lips.I looked up, the obedient, placating sweetness gone from my almond eyes."You have eyes and ears everywhere, Mr. Knight," I said, my voice clear and bright, acknowledging it openly."Word gets to you quickly."Alexand







