y library, the air thick with the s

lit fireplace. Damien, looking like a sullen teenager, rem

own, D

nto a sofa as far away from Chloe as

ancient-looking velvet box. Inside, nestled on a bed of faded silk, w

the table before Chloe, "my late wife, Eleanor Stone,

ratitude for Miranda saving Eleanor's life during a climbing accident, the Stone family had pledged a bond. If th

ed, remembering Mrs. Peters

ied on that mountain if not for Miranda's quick thinking and medical skill. This is not mere

is the 21st century. You can't seriously be considerin

This is a matter of duty. You dishonored Miss Beaumont. Now you learn she i

mien had no rebuttal. He cou

s a disgraced orphan, the next she was the

?" It was the only quest

e best doctors in the world are attending to her. The poison was rare, requiring a specific blood ser

olid anchor in the swir

ed to his son. "You will

tanding up. "I will not ha

hairmanship of the Stone Group is also something you'd like to refuse. Your 'illegitimate' status i

ent pale. His status as a so-called bastard son wa

t marry her, I will take over her protection personally. Whi

blow. Power, Damien could li

lstrom of fury, desperation, and a raw posses

ent observer in a war being fought

who had violated

mother's attacker and to fight Richard's family. It was a transaction. A deal

uld speak, she m

l do

ugh the tension, stunnin

gaze locking with Damien'

ve smile spread ac

unpredictable creature who had somehow seized control o

s and his own body's desperate need,

pe