thing Isabella had expected and nothing like what she had imagined. Every step she took within the Varkari emp

deals, but their interactions were transactional. She wasn't his wife in the traditional sense. She was a partner in name only.

all fel

heart of Veridale's elite district. She had been summoned there by Dominic, though she wasn't sure for wha

ere was something in his voice that hinted at a different intent. "I thought it

site him, raising an eyebro

He paused, as if considering his next words carefully. "I want you to take a more active role

more she got involved, the more Dominic would push for her to become an integ

our benefit, Dominic," she said, her voice colder than she int

la. Everything I do involves you now. You're already a part of t

y masked it with a nonchalant air. "And what happens if I

Isabella. You're already in this world. There's

er, but she refused to let him see her discomfort. "I'll decide when I wan

giving you the tools to succeed. You want power, don't you? You want control over your fath

over her father's legacy. But she had a sinking feeling that every step she took fu

er voice flat. "I'll play along. But remember, Dominic, this isn't my d

idn't reach his eyes. "We're in this t

, earning her place at Dominic's side. The more she saw of his world, the more she realized how dangerous it was. People whispered, and

s, in her thoughts. There was a subtle power to him, something magnetic that dre

The man who never seemed to let anyone close, who wore his coldness like a shield. She had seen glimpses of somet

file gala for one of the city's wealthiest f

icking sharply against the marble floors. "Why do you do it? All of

s a flicker of something in his eyes, something fleeting but raw. For a split

"Power. Control. The ability to shape

n her throat. "Is that all? Or is there some

wouldn't answer, he spoke, his voice low. "There's always more to t

e waiting car, she realized that part of her was beginning to want to understand him. The more s

's world. She was becoming a part of it, and the more she fou

Dominic, making strategic moves in the business world. They began to develop a stran

ling the cracks in his armor. And yet, he never let anyone get too close. He never let anyone see th

lights stretching out below them like a sea of diamonds, Is

no matter how much she resist