Lethal Temptation

“Don’t get any ideas, little girl,” Lucian said finally, his voice deep, sharp, arrogant.

“This arrangement is a joke. An insult. I’ll never love you. You’ll never be my true mate. Let’s get that straight before the wedding so you don’t embarrass yourself hoping for more.”

I cleared my throat, keeping my voice even.

“Understood, Mr. Nighthorn. I’m not looking forward to the wedding either. If I had a choice, I’d have turned it down, but your father left me and my family with two options—accept or go rogue. I expect nothing from you. And I will give you nothing in return.” I responded.

He finally turned to look at me, eyebrows raised.

“You really have no pride, do you?” he said. “You think this is some noble sacrifice? My father’s paying your family a fortune for this. You and your parents—just more middle-class shovel-holders, ready to dig for gold.”

I inhaled sharply. My hand twitched. Don’t hit him, I told myself. Not yet.

His smirk widened.