Bloodbound: The Alliance
Landen Vacheron, heir to a fortune built on oil and ambition, has lived his life as a wealthy playboy, the world bowing to his every whim, thanks to the empire his billionaire father, Colton Vacheron, forged. But as his older brother Vance steps into the role of CEO, Landen begins to see that the true cost of power and privilege is far greater than he ever imagined. Avara Du Pont is a devoted daughter who set aside her own dreams to bolster her father’s political aspirations. Unaware of his dark secrets. When it comes to light, Colton Vacheron offers him a proposition he cannot refuse; a marriage alliance between Avara and Vance, as a way for him to garner more political influence. And Mayor Du Pont will receive a king’s ransom as payment to stave off the shadows spilling into his life. Avara agrees to the fake relationship in order to protect her family from her father's criminal ties.
Chapter 68
Akio POV
"I would never!" I refute, giving rise to an emotion too strong to deny. "You talk of matters you don't know."
"I know more than you think," he counters. "You're loyal to Botan. Even a blind man can see that. But Haru's organization has thrived under the stewardship of Botan. Any threat to him is a threat to Haru but not all dangers are weapons and war."
My eyes cut back into him but I say nothing.
"I suspected… but with what you just said confirms what I didn't want to believe." The back of his head drops against the seat with his face inclined, his back slightly arching as a breath claws through him. "This isn't about betraying Botan. It's about exposing his only vulnerability. Haru knows about her I'm sure but—but," he stammers, stumbling over his pain. "I'm also sure he doesn't know how bad or how deep things are—which is the only reason Haru hasn't had her killed yet."