Chapter 2

The crowd below the stage erupted in murmurs.

Whispers slithered through the air like snakes.

"That's Nathaniel Grayson's fiancée? She looks like she crawled out of a gutter!"

"Shouldn't someone like him be with a refined lady? Who even is that girl?"

"Well... Nathaniel always did have... unique tastes."

Evelyn Whitmore had dressed like a street urchin on purpose—to scare off her blind date. But Nathaniel didn’t seem fazed.

Not by the whispers.

Not by the judgmental stares.

He stood there, detached, as if this entire farce amused him.

She gritted her teeth.

Trapped.

No choice but to play along.

The engagement ring slid onto her finger, cold and heavy.

The applause that followed was hollow. Polite. For Nathaniel’s sake, not hers.

As soon as the ceremony ended, she bolted.

Three women blocked her path.

"Who are you?"

"What kind of trashy outfit is that?"

"You think you’re worthy of Nathaniel Grayson?"

Evelyn’s patience snapped.

She grabbed two by their perfectly styled hair—

—and cracked their skulls together.

Thud.

They crumpled.

The third woman stumbled back, eyes wide.

Evelyn flicked her wrist. "Move."

She moved.

Across the room, Dominic Prescott choked on his champagne.

"Where the hell did you find her, Nathaniel?"

Nathaniel swirled his wine, lips curving. "Her lips taste like honey."

Dominic gaped.

A crash interrupted them.

Wine splattered across Evelyn’s already ruined outfit.

"Your fiancée’s in trouble," Dominic mused.

Nathaniel didn’t even glance over. "She’ll handle it."

And she did.

Brutally.

Dominic whistled. "Now I get it."

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened.

She was strong.

Clever.

Unbreakable.

Perfect.

Lucas Sinclair approached. "Sir, should I take her to change?"

Nathaniel nodded.

Evelyn stormed over instead.

"One kiss, and you trap me in this circus? You’re insane."

Nathaniel smirked. "How much do you think my kiss is worth?"

She studied him.

His sharp jaw.

Those sinful lips.

"Thirty bucks. Max."

Lucas gasped.

Nathaniel’s fingers caught her chin.

Danger hummed in his touch.

"Bold words, little rabbit. But you don’t run from me."

She scoffed. "Bathroom. Now."

He let her go.

Five minutes later, Lucas returned, grim. "She jumped out the window."

Nathaniel laughed.

Of course she did.

"Find her. Send the betrothal gifts."

Dominic shook his head. "You’re really marrying her?"

Nathaniel’s smile was razor-sharp. "She’s exactly what I need."

Evelyn slipped into her house late that night.

Gregory’s hand swung toward her face.

She dodged.

"You disgrace!" he roared.

Victoria Blackwood sniffled, playing the martyr. "It’s my fault she’s so wild..."

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

She tossed a folder onto the table.

"Here. All the wonderful men Victoria picked for me. Pick one. I’ll marry him."

Gregory flipped through it.

His face turned to stone.

Victoria paled.

Evelyn smirked.

Game on.