im, yet his words had hit her like a thunderclap. She had heard of Francis-everyone had. A ruthless businessman, the heir to one of the wealth

ity of the situation. "I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwood, but I thi

ing. "I don't make mistakes, Racheal. I never have." His voice was sm

e kind of joke? Or perhaps a misunderstanding? "I'm not sure who you think I am

ering and intense. "I need you to marry me, Racheal. It's not

s tone, something that made her shiver despite hers

d, her voice barely above a

position where my family's legacy is at stake. You're the solution to a problem I can't solve on my

ait, you want to marry

ll gain the wealth, security, and status you've never had, and I will gain the backing I

d. "But... I don'

sking for your compliance. We'll both play our roles. You'll marry me, and I'll make sure you want for nothing. Y

ct her to just agree to something like this? She was just an o

ard, businesslike demeanor, there was a hint of something deeper-somet

t ignore the unease

mbling despite her efforts to rema

exactly what I need. The Blackwood name is at risk, and your family's legacy, though small, is

thing about the business world. I don't k

. "You'll learn everything you need to kn

in her life, Racheal found herself considering the impossible. Could she

this was wrong, but there was something about him-about the wa

his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "After tha

and walked away, his steps echoing in the silence of the library, leavi