THE BILLIONAIRE’S STOLEN BRIDE

“Why are you sending this to me?” Elena Marlowe stared at the envelope in her hand. There was no return address. Only her name was written across the front. She opened it and read the message again. “Your mother left something behind. If you want the truth about your family, come to Sterling Tower tonight at seven.” “Who sends something like this?” For three months, since her mother’s death, Elena had been dealing with strange phone calls and a black car that sometimes appeared outside her apartment. She had tried to ignore them. This message made that impossible. At exactly seven, she entered Sterling Tower. The receptionist looked up immediately. “Miss Marlowe?” “Yes.” “Mr. Sterling is expecting you.” Elena frowned. “He knows I’m coming?” “Yes, ma’am.” The elevator opened onto a quiet office. Alexander Sterling stood behind his desk. “You came.” “You sent for me.” “I did.” “Why?” Alexander picked up a document and placed it on the desk. “Because I have a proposition for you.” Elena looked down. “A marriage agreement?” “Yes.” She looked at him. “You want me to marry you?” “For six months.” “You don’t even know me.” “I know enough.” “Then you know I’m not going to marry a stranger for money.” “This isn’t about money.” “Then what is it about?” Alexander’s expression changed. “Your mother.” Elena went still. “My mother?” “She knew my father.” “My mother never mentioned your family.” “She had reasons.” “What reasons?” Alexander pushed a photograph toward her. Elena picked it up and froze. Her mother was standing beside Victor Sterling, Alexander’s father. “Where did you get this?” “My father kept it hidden.” “Why?” “Because he was afraid someone would discover what happened twenty-one years ago.” “What happened?” Before Alexander could answer, the office door opened. An older man stepped inside and stared at Elena. “You shouldn’t be here.” Alexander turned sharply. “Leave.” The man ignored him. “She looks exactly like her.” Elena frowned. “Like who?” The man looked at Alexander. “Your mother never told you?” “Told me what?” He backed toward the door. “She wasn’t supposed to survive.” Elena’s heart raced. “What does that mean?” The man left. “Explain,” Elena demanded. Alexander stared at the closed door. “It means your life has been a lie.” “You expect me to marry you after telling me that?” “I expect you to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.” “Then start talking.” Alexander looked at the marriage agreement. “You may want to read the second page.” Elena turned it over. Her expression changed. “What is this?” “A condition attached to my grandfather’s inheritance.” “What does it have to do with me?” “That,” Alexander said quietly, “is what I intend to find out.” Before Elena could answer, her phone buzzed. Unknown number. She opened the message. “You should have stayed away from the Sterlings.” A second message appeared. “Now they know you’re alive.” Elena slowly looked up at Alexander. Someone had known she was coming. And someone had been waiting for her to be found.