LOGIN"Tonight, I just want to feel something other than trapped," she whispers against his lips, and everything changes. Maddison Whiter's world shatters when her fiancé abandons her during a kidnapping, choosing to save his best friend instead. Rescued by William Chen, billionaire CEO and enigmatic boss of the Black Herd organization, she escapes death only to face a worse fate: her family's demand that she marry a predatory older man. In a world of calculated moves and cold arrangements, can two damaged souls find something real? A steamy billionaire romance of redemption, power, and choosing love over obligation.
View More"Focus." She tried to remember what Alexis had taught her. "I should drop my weight, create space, strike sensitive areas.""Demonstrate."She tried. Dropped her weight, twisted, and aimed an elbow backward. William moved with her easily, countering, ending up with both her wrists caught in one hand while his other arm banded across her chest."Too slow," he murmured near her ear. "And you're still hesitating. If this were real, if I were actually a threat, you'd be in serious trouble.""Maybe I don't see you as a threat.""You should." But his grip loosened slightly. "Everyone's a potential threat until proven otherwise. That's rule one.""What's rule two?""Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is." He released her wrists but didn't step back. "Rule three, know your exits. Always have an escape plan.""And rule four?""Fight dirty. There's no honor in being dead."Maddison turned in his arms to face him. They were close, too close for a training session. His dark eyes hel
Her phone buzzed. Another text, this time from Lily: Welcome to the family! Can't wait for dinner tomorrow. Warning: Grace is already planning your "real" wedding. Hide. -LMaddison laughed and showed William the message."My family is insane," he said."My family tried to sell me to a predator. Yours just wants to throw me parties. I'll take it.""You say that now. Wait until Grace starts asking about grandchildren.""Grandchildren?" Maddison's eyes widened."She's been pestering me for years. Now that I'm actually married, she's going to be relentless." He looked down at her. "Fair warning, she'll probably start leaving baby name books around the house.""We've been married for two days!""Welcome to the Chen family. Subtlety is not our strong suit."Despite everything, Maddison found herself laughing. Really laughing, for the first time in days.And William laughed with her, the sound rusty but genuine.The next morning, Maddison woke to an empty bed and the smell of coffee. For a
The operatives moved forward. Eleanor had no choice but to leave, though she shot one last venomous look at Maddison before disappearing into the elevator.The silence that followed was deafening.William stood rigid, staring at the closed elevator doors, his hands clenched into fists."William.""I'm sorry." His voice was rough. "You shouldn't have had to deal with that.""She's wrong, you know. About you being cold. Incapable of love."He turned to face her, and the rawness in his expression made her heart clench. "Is she? I've spent fifteen years building walls, Maddison. Keeping people out. Using logic and strategy instead of feeling anything real.""That's not true." Maddison moved closer. "You love Grace. You protect people through Black Herd. You married me to save me from Gerald Whitmore even though you had nothing to gain.""I had plenty to gain. My father off my back, control of my own life…""You could have chosen anyone for that. You chose me because you're good, William.
The room went silent."You what?" William's voice was dangerously quiet."Jude texted me last night. He wanted to talk. I went." Maddison lifted her chin. "And before you lecture me about safety, I'm fine. It was a public place, broad daylight. He had information I needed.""What information?"She glanced at the others in the room. "Can we discuss this privately?"William nodded curtly to the three guests. "Give us a moment."They filed out, the woman giving Maddison a sympathetic look as she passed.Once they were alone, William turned to her. "Talk."Maddison told him everything, Jude's text, the meeting, the revelation about the kidnapping being a targeted hit. William's expression grew darker with each word."You should have told me," he said when she finished. "Last night. This morning. Before you walked into a meeting with a man who abandoned you to die.""I know. I'm sorry. I thought," She stopped. "I thought I could handle it myself.""Maddison." William's hands clenched at hi


















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