ty Rom

d drove back to my Beacon Hill brownstone

morning, the sharp ringi

ld's grandfather, the ruthless, controll

is cold, commanding voice

re the granddaughter-in-law I personally selected. Your duty is to get pregnant with the Pec

ightened aro

opping it off at your door right now. I want you to deliver it to his headquarters personally.

ne wen

en, a cold, self-deprecati

trauma surgeon. I was just an expensive t

er suit, walked outside, and took the slee

rdered, just to see what kind of joke

into the underground executive garage of the Pe

bag up the private eleva

tood up the moment

Roman. Mr. Peck is

lass partitions tow

ds, the scene inside broug

behind his sprawl

r manicured hands. She was leaning forward so far that the low neckli

g," Karlie pouted, batting her eyelashes. "I'm so stup

he let out a low, relaxed chuckle-a

who only knows how to memorize medical

it had been pierc

given up a prestigious surgical fellowship in Switzerland just to oversee his rehabili

oat, but my pulse didn't jump a single b

ay, walking over to the execu

er bag on the desk wit

staff, jumped out of his

hear you come in. Why

e the corner offic

cutive chair rolling backwa

voice smooth and loud enough

y the Elder Mr. Peck. I wouldn't want to interrupt

yanked open so har

tie loosened, his dark hair messy

me, her eyes flashed with momentary panic befo

he hallway, his dark

you get here? Why di

lm, practiced smile. "I'm just fulfilling your gran

to talk to me like this? Karlie is just a rookie who doesn't underst

targ

ng my gaze drift over Karlie's ex

that this is the headquarters of an eight-billion-dollar

r hand to her chest, her voice trembling. "Dr.

ents and legal analysts kept their heads down, but the complete

arold's eyes, my voice p

at least remember the legal weight of the ring you keep locke

shed the paper bag until the cardboard base snap

ait for hi

d walked toward

ion of Karlie reaching out to touch Garold's elbow, on

ors sl

pocket. The caller ID

of the most sought-after haute c

d the cal

s assistant just called my studio! He actually offered me double my usual rate to design a custom gown for that

rned to ab

him?" I asked, my

d. "Who does he think he is? What does he take my st

rn.

n. I want you to walk into that ballroom and slaughter them. Let that blind bastard see what a real, i

g with a mistress was beneath me, but Garold's arrogance in tre

," I said, my

looked at my reflection i

his absurd marriag