After The Vows

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power. She vowed ne

le in a world that feeds off reputation. When her father strikes a deal with billionaire res

pawn to gain more control of the Monroe empire. But he never expected the

ct, passion becomes their battlefield. Lust turns into obsession. Secrets unravel. And somewhere

ything-and Isla may never forgive the man who

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resort owned by a powerfu

er off to cover the

y silk and stitched expectations. She looked like a bride from a fashion spread-flawless

ing into a phone as if it were any other day in his empire of control. He hadn't so m

r your sister. For our family na

hting Gerald Monroe was like arguing with gravity. He was the disg

screamed scandal, and Gerald's remaining influence hung by a thread. The Lanca

Lanca

plays, and a smile that never quite reached his eyes. Marrying his hei

t did I

ve, and six months trapped in the orbit of a

r father barked, as

. "I'm not a

y you

mile. Obey. Appear in public when Ares tells you to. You'll keep your mouth shut about what you know, and in

for sale,

were the day you

ed before she could spit back

ore her, built over glistening turquoise water, leading to a gla

swirled from the crowd-some pitying, some curious, most just bored

of the aisl

Lanca

. The breeze teased his jet-black hair, but he st

. Not tenderness. Just fire an

hesitated-just long enough to make him no

xquisite,"

k like a

ed, barely. "

fician

ick on a bomb. Her mind screamed with everything unsai

he di

he didn't flinch. When it was her turn to

leaned in

r head, offer

sed his face. Surprise, am

second too long, his breath brushing her ear

ugh her teeth.

te, the air between them wa

a silver bucket. Isla stood by the windows, arms crossed, ignoring the view. Ares s

have questio

care enou

"You're not w

oo

re married now. Let's

ule, my image, and apparently my body, by contr

em in three slow steps. His prese

a," he said, voice low. "Not

d. That...

ances. Public unity. In private,

to mask the twist of di

the scent of expensive cologne and stormy seas surrounded her. "B

. "That almost soun

uth tw

ked out onto the balcony and left

nd a sealed envelope waiti

ross the front in Ares'

open

payable at the end of six months, if she fulfilled the "duti

ience, not affection. A six-month pe

ontract was a

otog

ngers

Black and white

into a dark parking garage. Meeting w

stleblower. The man who had been compiling a file on t

r-clipped to the photo

-how well did

ture, heart slammin

sounded

sp

-collar shirt and linen pants. His expressio

ed me," she

I protect what's mine. And you, Isla

't betr

t y

d. "He was digging into your family. I

r. His presence pressed aga

is he now?

n't k

oice, when it came,

do know s

dn't a

iled

ng a dangerou

e not?" sh

of hair behind her ear. The touch

ich one of us