She married a man old enough to be her grandfather to save her sister's life. Lucy Hayes thought marrying Victor Blackwood would be the price of her freedom. She was wrong. Victor is wealthy, powerful, and feared by everyone who knows his name. Behind the walls of his luxurious mansion lies a darkness Lucy never imagined, and a secret connected to the mysterious death of the man she once loved. Trapped in a beautiful prison, Lucy soon realizes that her husband didn't marry her out of pity. He chose her for a reason. And when she begins uncovering the truth about Victor's criminal empire, she realizes that knowing too much could cost her life. Meanwhile, Andrew and his cousin Alexander have spent years hunting the elusive leader of the most dangerous mafia organization. Victor Blackwood. When their investigation leads them to Lucy, Andrew is convinced she is more than just Victor's young wife. Why would a woman like her willingly marry a ruthless man thrice her age? Lucy refuses to tell him the truth. Andrew refuses to stop digging. But as his suspicion turns into an undeniable attraction, Andrew finds himself caught between his duty to bring Victor down and his growing need to protect the woman he once believed was his enemy. Then Victor discovers that Lucy knows too much. And he decides there is only one way to keep his secrets safe. Silence her forever. But Victor has no idea that killing Lucy might be the very thing that exposes everything he has spent years hiding.

After the death of her father, Lucy Hayes, a 22 year old woman burdened by grief, debt, and years of hidden abuse, is left completely alone. Struggling to survive, she works relentlessly while trying to rebuild her life in New York City. The only constant in her life is her loyal best friend, Daniel Reed, who is like a brother to her. Meanwhile, Andrew Kingsley, a 28 year old billionaire CEO, is facing two battles: a major financial crisis threatens his company, and his parents are relentlessly pressing him to get married. Cold, arrogant, and convinced that love is a distraction, Andrew has no interest in any of the women his parents introduced to him. When a chance encounter with Lucy sparks immediate hostility between them, neither expects their paths to cross again. Desperate to stop his parents’ interference and improve his public image during the corporate crisis, Andrew offers Lucy a lucrative deal: pretend to be his wife for a month in exchange for enough money to solve her financial problems. Reluctantly, Lucy accepts. As they spend more time together, their fake marriage slowly transforms into something real. Andrew finds himself irresistibly drawn to Lucy's kindness and strength, while Lucy discovers that beneath Andrew's cold exterior lies a man capable of deep love and loyalty.