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.
Trapped in the heat of his gaze, his lips curving into a slow, satisfied smirk that only deepens my discomfort. My hands instinctively push against his chest, but his grip doesn't falter.
"Do you know Alec?"
I frown at the strange name. "No, should I?"
"A wife should," he corrects playfully. He leans closer and my face tilts away so his lips can graze my temple, only to take a nip at my ear. "Alec is a friend—best friends since boarding school and he's throwing me a party in honor of us."
I free a wry gesture, a sound scraping off a bitter laugh. "As if I'd ever been seen at one of your disgusting sex parties—I've seen the tabloids and I won't be a part of any of that."