Chapter 3 An Offer She Can't Refuse

I'd managed to slip back into my bedroom last night while my parents were busy arguing, congratulating myself on another successful escape. But my victory was short-lived when the curtains were violently yanked open the next morning, flooding my room with blinding light.

"Rise and shine, Miss North!" Maria, our housekeeper, announced with infuriating cheerfulness. Before I could protest, she pulled my comforter off in one swift motion, leaving me curled up and defenseless against the morning chill.

"What the hell, Maria?" I groaned, blindly grabbing for my blanket. "Five more minutes."

"Your father says it's time for work," she replied, already moving to my closet to select an outfit.

I snorted, burying my face in the pillow. "What work? I don't have a job."

"Well, you do now," came my mother's voice from the doorway. She stood there in her silk robe, coffee mug in hand, watching me with that familiar mix of exasperation and amusement. "Your father has given you two options."

I peeked at her with one eye. "What options?"

"First option: take over the new North subsidiary we've established in South America."

I violently shook my head, pulling the sheets up to my chin. "No way! I like living here with everyone. What's the point of having a big family if we're sending me halfway across the world?"

Mom's smile widened. "I thought you might say that. Well, there is a second option."

Just then, Dad's voice boomed from downstairs: "EMMA NORTH! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

"What's the second option?" I asked warily.

"You'll have to ask your father," Mom replied, sipping her coffee with a suspiciously innocent expression.

Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. I groaned and dragged myself out of bed, shuffling toward the bathroom. Twenty minutes and one hasty shower later, I trudged downstairs, hair still damp, to face whatever doom my father had planned for me.

Two hours later, I was slouched on a leather sofa in Alexander Sterling's corner office at Sterling Group headquarters, glaring daggers at the man behind the massive mahogany desk. He finished signing some documents, set down his pen, and finally looked up at me.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked calmly.

"Can't you think of some way to get me out of this?" I complained. "I don't want to be here."

Alexander leaned back in his chair. "This wasn't my idea. Your parents arranged it."

"I might be a North Enterprises spy planted in Sterling Group." I suggested with an exaggerated villainous expression, steepling my fingers together like a cartoon villain.

His lips twitched. "You give yourself too much credit."

"And you give yourself too much credit," I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Do I?" One eyebrow rose as he studied me. "I am quite impressive, wouldn't you agree?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't entirely disagree. At 27, Alexander was the youngest of three Sterling brothers, yet clearly the most capable. Sent to Italy at age six for schooling, he'd earned his doctorate by 24 and stayed to establish Argent Enterprises. Only three months ago, old Mr. Sterling had summoned him back to New York to take over as Sterling Group's CEO.

Megan, though only six years younger than Alexander, had to respectfully address him as "Uncle" due to their generational difference. She always referred to him as "Tyrant" when telling me stories about his exploits in Italy.

And I had to admit, he was probably the most attractive man I'd ever seen—even better looking than my brother Michael, who regularly appeared in "Sexiest Men Alive" lists. Alexander's imposing presence filled the room, his perfectly tailored suit accentuating broad shoulders and a trim waist. His dark hair was styled impeccably, and those piercing eyes seemed to see right through my bullshit.

"Satisfied with your assessment of my appearance and physique?" he asked suddenly.

I jerked my attention back to his face, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "You keep yourself in good shape... for someone your age."

One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. "I could still take you in a fight."

I couldn't argue with that. Despite years of karate and mixed martial arts training, I'd felt during our brief altercation at Starlight that his skills far exceeded mine.

"Why did you agree to my parents' request to let me work here?" I asked, changing the subject. "You don't strike me as the type to do favors without getting something in return."

"A young Master's graduate who happens to be America's top hacker under the codename 'Athena'?" He watched my reaction closely. "Why wouldn't I?"

My jaw dropped. The blood drained from my face so quickly I felt dizzy. "How the hell do you know that?!"

"I have my sources," he replied smoothly, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Be a good secretary, and maybe I'll tell you someday."

"Secretary?" I echoed, glancing at the desk positioned just outside his office door. "For how long do you expect me to play this role?"

"Until your parents' wishes are fulfilled," he answered cryptically.

Alexander pressed a button on his desk phone. "Bill, please come in."

His assistant, Bill Green, entered promptly.

"Bill, please handle Miss North's employment paperwork," Alexander instructed. "And has Emma's luggage been delivered to my house yet?"

I frowned, my mind still reeling from the Athena revelation. "My luggage? Your house? What are you talking about?"

"A 24-hour personal secretary needs to be available at all times," Alexander explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Twenty-four hours?!" I nearly shouted, the pieces suddenly clicking together. My parents hadn't just sent me to work for Alexander—they'd arranged for me to live with him. "Wait. Are my parents trying to set us up?"

Alexander's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You have some intelligence after all."

I shook my head in disbelief. "But you're Megan's uncle, and I'm her best friend. Us getting together would be... weird!" I gestured wildly between us.

"You object?" he asked simply.

"Don't you?" I countered. "We literally just met yesterday."

Alexander studied me for a moment. "Do you have a boyfriend? Anyone you're interested in?"

"No," I admitted reluctantly.

"I'm single too," he said. "We're both unattached. Why not give it a try?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Because I'm the infamous wild and unruly daughter of the North family! Everyone knows that. And the North family isn't even the most suitable match for Sterling."

"I know what I'm doing," he replied confidently, unfazed by my outburst.

"What exactly are you proposing?" I asked cautiously.

Alexander leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Marriage. With shared assets. You can spend however you want, live freely, go wherever and do whatever you please. I'll provide drivers and security. If you get into trouble, I'll bail you out—no punishment or curfew from your parents. My parents won't live with us, and you won't need to sneak back home by climbing drain pipes."

It sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "And what would I have to do in return?"

His expression remained perfectly serious. "Keep all women trying to get into my bed away from me."

I blinked. "That's it? Just chase away your admirers?"

Alexander nodded once.