The Mariage Bargain: Betrothed To Mr. CEO

per'

gning his name with a flourish at th

ervously. This was it - the final step to put Orion's decep

s, no tricks that I could spot. Just the generous terms Lucian had assured me were fair.

come clean about his history with Orion. Surely he woul

nature where indicated with a decisi

nd sense of relief washed over

'm so proud of you, Juniper. We stood up to those who tried to

don't we take a drive and celebrate? Dinne

t his infectious enthusi

hery far behind us, heading out int

**

n's

rked, sipping appreciatively at my scotch as t

th Lucian and that idiot Juniper. Well, generous to

yed your roles flawlessly, sir. They never even gl

chair's plush depths. "Read it back to me o

papers he carried with a fastidio

full rights to audit the complete financial records and accounts of Ms. Juniper Gray. This

ce. Ooh, that was delicious. Stupi

all her assets, earnings, everything." I smacked the desk in gle

pels her complete compliance in granting you unfette

so thoroughly disillusioned and humbled her, the stupid girl

dollar, every account number. I'd make her feel worthless and financially crippled, just

"To complete financial c

ed wolfishly. Oh, I couldn't wait to watch Juniper's face when she

**

Days

per'

autifully. Last night's celebratory dinner with Lucian had been perfect, our moods buoyed by

forward to when he returned so we could take the next steps in strengthening our

a frown, I glanced at the caller ID which showed Orion's number. I near

t?" I demanded w

nkled me immediately. "There's no need for such hostility, love. I was simpl

fusion. "Excuse me? Wha

so hastily signed the other day without proper review. Didn't your lawye

"That's impossible. That settlement finalized my share o

ould have read more carefully before signing, sweetheart. But don

al jargon, but all I could focus on were the words "u

celebrated with Lucian thinking the matter concluded, Orion had quietly sei

it's all quite permissible and legally binding. I expect you to st

feel. "I agreed to no such thing in that contract. You've

rl. You agreed to terms, for which I graciously compensated you. Now I intend to oversee my invest

right - I had carelessly signed that settlement, putting my complete tr

othly. "No delays, no dodges, no hiding anything from me. Or I'll be

ed again the depth of my helplessness against

e phone across the room where it clattered uselessly. Hot tear

me back immediately. When he finally did, I wasted no

contract doesn't give him any control or

not lying, Ms. Gray. There was a...clause added that I regrettably overlooked. I

nd this useless excuse for an attorney with equal intensity. They had utterl

hering to hide the rage and devastation in my voice. "You might as well

ies before I cut him off. "Just stop. Leav

s heel, forced to live at his mercy and watchful eye. I would have no financial independe

ssly, I realized. Watch me squirm, stripping away my hard-earned autonomy

ent, I wished I had n