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.
Vance POV
I peer into the standing mirror, uncuffing my sleeves and rolling them up.
A hardened frown knots my face. Still too formal. I'd hate to be deigned a stiff, not that I care about Kelsey's opinion of me. I blow out a heavy breath, unbuttoning the shirt with frustrated haste as I move back into the walk-in wardrobe. I toss it on the headless seat in the center, then I unbuckle my belt, ripping it out and placing it away. I scour the shelves for something casual. After a while, I change into a billowy short-sleeve shirt with matching loose-fitting pants. I switch out my Oxfords by Berluti for flip flops.
I leave my room and head downstairs, brought to a pause when I hear Landen's voice floating to the foyer. I follow it, trailing down the corridor, and his voice grows. His bedroom door is ajar, I nudge it open, leaning my shoulder against the frame.