CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH A BILLIONAIRE

Emma

FOUR YEARS EARLIER

Okay, celebrating your college graduation on top of a bar, dancing and shooting darts wasn’t exactly the most mature way to get recognition for four years of hard work.

Yes, it took us an extra semester. The first year was hard. Both sissy and I failed most of our classes the first semester and never caught up. We weren’t geniuses. Just two average girls with an artistic gene. Or something like that.

But we finally graduated. Yes, summer was behind us, but we had our entire lives ahead of us. Many more summers.

My dreams were finally coming true. I got an offer for an internship with National Geographic and my first assignment started in a week. A freaking week. I would travel the world taking pictures. My father was always a fan of the old adage “a picture's worth a thousand words.”

I wanted my pictures to make a difference in this world. Hopefully, make the world a better place.

“Another shot for the girls,” someone shouted in the back.

It was amazing what a tight mini-dress could accomplish. Drinks followed, sissy and I danced on top of the bar, moving sensually. Slow, fast, slow. After weeks of packing, studying, and more packing, we deserved to celebrate and unwind.

The loud music pumped through the speakers, vibrating through every surface. The music bounced off the walls, the latest Dua Lipa’s best hits album playing one after another. A few of the girls danced together on the bar, while others were too busy sealing their lips to their boyfriends or men they’d never met.

My gaze traveled over the crowd. It was September yet most girls wore skimpy little summer dresses. But then, this was California. Summer dresses were almost a year round outfit.

The bar was too crowded. Probably over capacity, but nobody had started kicking us out. Our last week here. The last four years had been filled with some seriously wild s**t, but we never got in trouble. Sissy claimed it was because her brother had connections everywhere.

Alexander Dante

He didn’t even remember me or the whole incident on my eighteenth birthday. I was so nervous and excited that day. Branka and I couldn’t wait to get to the University of California, Berkeley. We shared a birthday and celebrated at my parents’ home that day.

The birthday party was still in full swing. The chatter and laughter of guests could be heard from downstairs. My family. Friends. Sissy my best friend. From the moment my parents and I moved to Montréal, the two of us clicked and had been inseparable ever since.

I’m sorry your brother couldn’t make it today,” I murmured. I knew how much she hoped he’d be here. He was the only family she loved. The only family that was there for her.

“It’s okay.” A hint of bitterness colored her voice.

I reached for her hand and squeezed it gently in comfort. “It’s not okay,” I murmured. “But I’m happy I got to spend all day with you.”

From all she had told me, her brother always came through. It could be that he was just late. In four years, I had yet to meet the famous, or infamous, brother.

Alexander Dante, Alex to those closest to him.

Untouchable. Ruthless. Corrupt.

Connected to the mafia. Not that I’d seen it firsthand. Those were just the rumors. In reality, it could be that the guy was just a ruthless businessman. If there was one thing I’d learned from my parents, things weren’t always what they seemed.

“Send him another message,” I suggested softly.

She shook her head.

“Father reads my messages. Sometimes I think he reads his, too.” Huh? There were so many things I didn’t understand about sissy’s family. I don’t want him to give me a hard time. Another difference between her parents and mine. Her father was mean, cruel even. And her mother, well she seemed to be only a ghost of who she once was.

“You can use my phone if you want,” I offered. I knew how much it meant to her to see him today. “That’s okay, thanks. I called Alex earlier and left him a voicemail that I’d be here.

I nodded. The two of us stood in front of the mirror. She had changed for the occasion and looked gorgeous in her sheer, golden dress that was long in the back but shorter in the front. The contrast of gold against her dark, auburn hair was striking. I still wore my white, skater dress.

“I just can’t wait to get out of here,” she remarked, meeting my gaze in the mirror. Her gray eyes turned dark, like storm clouds, every time she was sad. “Our last night in Montréal. Let’s make it a memorable night.”

I nodded although I wasn’t as thrilled about leaving my parents behind. I was excited about going to California and attending university there. But unlike her, I also couldn’t wait to come back to visit my parents. And we hadn’t even left yet.

Sissy’s eyes traveled over me. “Are you going to change?”

I lowered my eyes. “What?” I swept my hand over my skater dress. “This isn’t good enough?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s fine for an everyday event, but not for our birthday. Today’s special

“Fine, fine,” I retorted dryly. “I’ll change.”

Turning eighteen seemed to be a big deal. Yet the same face I’d known yesterday stared back at me today in the mirror. Same raven black hair. Same hazel eyes. My mouth was still the same, that top lip slightly bigger than my bottom one.

“Do you feel older?” I asked.

She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Not really. But we’re eighteen now. Legal adults.”

“My lips curved into a smile. I wasn’t quite sure if I felt like an adult. Or that I was even ready to be an adult. I was certainly in no rush.

“I guess I better hurry up and change before all the food is gone,” I said, eyeing the dress that sissy picked out. It was a beautiful dress, but it was way over the top for a simple birthday party in the backyard. So was sissy’s although that didn’t seem to stop her.

She clapped her hands. “Wonderful, I’ll wait for you downstairs. I need to have some of your mother’s crème brûlée before it’s all gone.”

She was out the door before I could even protest. It would have been wonderful if she’d given me a boost of confidence once I tried the fancy dress on. I didn’t want to look like an overdressed peacock.

“Save me some,” I yelled after her. “Hide it from everyone.”

Her laugh rang down the steps, right along with her thumping heels against my parents’ hardwood floors.

My eyes roamed over the room where sissy and I spent so much time together over the last four years. It wasn’t grand or super luxurious, but I loved my room nonetheless. Pink and white bedding over the mahogany canopy bed. The antique white dresser and the vanity were the only other furniture in my bedroom.

Frames with my parents’ pictures stood on the dresser. Our trips all over the world. It was where I got my taste for adventure and the will for justice.

Nostalgia hit me. One more night and I’d no longer lay my head down to sleep under my parents’ roof. One more night and I’d be thousands of miles away.

“I guess it’s part of growing up,” I mumbled under my breath softly.

I shook my head, then took off my dress, leaving me only in my white panties and bra. Discarding it into my hamper, I reached for my dress, hanging it on the rail of my canopy with my back to the door. It slipped off the hanger, falling silently to the floor.

Bending over, my ass in the air, my fingers curled around the soft material was exactly the position I was in when the door opened.

“What the… ?” A deep voice came from behind me.

For a moment, I stayed frozen, staring at the man upside down through my legs. Shiny black loafers. Tailored and expensive business suit. Stormy gray eyes that studied me.

Or maybe he studied my butt in the thong.

I shot up, whirling around.

The moment I saw him upright, my step faltered back involuntarily.

Hard face. Even harder eyes.

A shudder shot up my spine, and for a fraction of a moment, I forgot to breathe. The most gorgeous face I had ever seen. But it was not that which took hold of me. It was the darkness and ruthlessness in his gray gaze. A gaze the color of the skies right before a thunderstorm.

The angular jawline spoke of determination and stubbornness. The slight stubble on his face made him appear harsh and untouchable. Not that he needed it, because I’d be terrified if I found myself alone in a dark alley with him. The dark three-piece-suit hugged his broad, towering frame.

Lethal.

This man was lethal. I might have turned eighteen only today, but I’d stake my life on it. This man could end a human life without losing sleep.

His one hand was tucked into the pocket of his suit pants while the other hung casually down his body. My eyes flickered to that strong veiny hand. A single ring on it with some weird looking symbol. The letter ‘A’ with a skull.

We stared at each other, frozen, the seconds stretching into a lifetime. He was like a dark demon focused on his prey.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped out of my stupor, trying to appear brave.

“Where is she?” he snapped back.

“How in the hell should I know?” I narrowed my eyes on him. He reeked of darkness and danger. You’d think I was smart enough to scream for help. “Who the hell is she?”

My father always said that sometimes I was too brave for my own good. But I wasn’t reckless. At least not now. All I had to do was scream and my father would come after this guy. Although, if I was honest with myself, I wasn’t sure that Dad could could kick his ass.

He c****d his eyebrow, as if he was surprised. When he didn’t answer, I continued, “And who are you?” My voice hitched just a tad bit higher, while my heart thundered against my ribs.

He slipped his other hand into his pocket as his gaze fell down my body, lazy and observant. Just as slowly, his gaze traveled back up my barely decent state.

“Watch your tone, little girl,” he drawled.

Be smart, Emma. Be smart, Emma.

“Or what, old man?” I sneered. Jesus, this wasn’t smart, yet my mouth refused to stop. “One peep and my dad will… Kick. Your. Ass.”

Maybe. But he didn’t need to know that.

He took a step forward, I took one back. Another step towards me and like we were made of the same poles on two magnets, I took one back.

“You really think so?” His tone was low, deep, almost threatening.

I pushed my shoulders back and realized my mistake right away. I revealed more of my barely covered body. But I couldn’t show weakness.

“I do,” I sneered. “Now get lost.”

His eyes narrowed, then traveled down my body again, leaving me feeling strangely breathless and my heart racing in my chest.

I attempted the same tactic and let my gaze fall down his body. It was a mistake because it became even more apparent how tall, muscular, and breathtaking he was. Not a good conclusion to come to while alone with a stranger in the room.

My eyes locked on his shiny, expensive, black shoes. Italian leather, if I had to guess. He still wasn’t moving. But now we stood so close together, I could smell his spicy, woodsy scent. Powerful, just like his presence.

“What’s your name?” His question caught me off guard, and I lifted my eyes back to his, meeting those dark stormy eyes.

“None of your business,” I snickered. “What’s yours?”

Where did that come from?

“None of yours,” he deadpanned. “If I tell you, I’d have to kill you.”

“What. The. Hell?

“Get out!” I took a step forward, and pushed my palm against his chest, then realized I dropped the dress that covered my upper torso. I quickly folded my arms in front of my chest.

We still stood in the middle of my girly bedroom, his towering frame in a dark suit looking ridiculous among all my pink.

His eyes lowered to where my palm rested only seconds ago, then came back to my face. We looked at each other for a moment and I realized his hand was on my wrist, the rough pads of his fingertips brushing against my fluttering pulse.

“Careful, Emma, he drawled. “Or you’ll find yourself in the wrong bedroom.”

It wasn’t until he was long gone that the realization sunk in.

He knew my name!

Ten minutes later, I smoothed the non-existent wrinkles of the light pink dress. It hugged my body too tightly, making it hard to breathe. I wasn’t used to wearing snug clothing and heels. Being careful not to get my strappy pink heels stuck in the dirt, I kept my gaze focused on the ground. The music and laughter vibrated all around me and a smile already formed on my lips.

“Emma, come and say hello to our guest.” Maman’s voice traveled through the air.

Taking a step over the gravel, I steadied my ankle.

“I’m coming,” I grumbled. “These damn shoes are getting stuck.”

Another two steps, I looked up and froze.

A pair of dark gray eyes in a black three-piece-suit watched me, pinning me to my spot. The guy that barged into my bedroom stood next to my father. A smile lifted his lips and my eyes locked on them. Such sensual, well-proportioned lips. I wondered how he kissed.

Hard. Rough. Wet. Demanding.

“There you are.” My mother pressed a kiss on my cheek. “Joyeux anniversaire, ma chérie.” Happy birthday, my mother wished me in French.

“Merci, Maman,” I murmured, keeping my eyes on the stranger.

A set of arms wrapped around me and I swayed. “He made it,” sissy squealed in delight.

“Who?” I muttered, flicking a frown her way, then returning it to the gorgeous stranger. Why was he talking to my dad?

“My brother.” My head whipped her way and I followed her gaze. “Alex, I swallowed hard, remembering how I yelled at him barely ten minutes ago.

“Emma, meet Mr. Alex Dante.” My father’s tone held a note of caution. The one that told me he’d rather not have me talk to the man. If only he knew, I spent a few minutes alone with him. “Mr. Dante” my daughter Emma.”