Synopsis:
Lila thought she had it all until a month before her wedding when she discovered her fiancé's betrayal—a secret life with another woman. Heartbroken and humiliated, Lila learns that her uncle, a key trustee of her late father's estate, has been scheming to prevent her from inheriting the family fortune. Determined to fight back, Lila makes an unexpected alliance.
Enter Kane "The Jackal", a wealthy, enigmatic man with a dangerous reputation. Kane offers Lila protection and a deal she can't refuse: a marriage of convenience that will not only secure her inheritance but also fulfill his own shadowy motives. As they navigate high-society treachery, Lila is pulled into Kane's ruthless world, where enemies abound, and trust is a rare commodity.
But as sparks fly and their lives intertwine, will Lila keep her resolve, or will she fall for the man who always gets what he wants, no matter the cost?
Excerpt:
Lila had underestimated how commanding Kane could be until the moment she challenged him directly.
Without a word, Kane rose from the leather chair across the room, his every movement deliberate and calculated. Each step toward her felt like a slow countdown, and Lila's heart pounded in time with the measured clicks of his boots against the floor.
He stopped just before her, close enough for her to feel his presence radiating like heat. Then, in one swift motion, he placed a hand on the armrest of her chair, leaning forward. His other hand landed lightly on her knee, brushing it aside as he stepped between her legs.
Lila froze, her breath catching. Her wide eyes met his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Kane tilted her chin upward, catching it between his fingers, forcing her to look at him. His voice, low and steady, sent shivers down her spine. "You are my wife now."
She blinked, her throat dry, and gave a shaky nod.
"I've given you space to adjust," he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her lower lip. "But we made an agreement, Lila. And I always expect people to honor their promises."
"I know," she whispered, unsure whether the tremor in her voice was from fear or something far more disarming.
His eyes lingered on her lips, and her breath hitched as she instinctively wet them with her tongue. His focus didn't waver, his gaze making her feel as though she were standing on the edge of a precipice.
"You married me for your inheritance, to stand against those who wronged you," he reminded her.
"Yes," she said, her voice barely audible.
"And I married you for my reasons," Kane continued, his lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. "Now it's time for you to fulfill your end of the deal, isn't it?"
"Yes," she murmured, unable to look away. Why did the air feel so thick? Why couldn't she breathe properly?
Suddenly, his hand dropped from her chin, and she watched in stunned silence as he leaned in. Her heart raced as she realized what was about to happen.
But the kiss never came. Instead, he stopped just short of her lips and issued a single command:
"Kiss me."