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Chapter One

Connor Blackwell paused in front of the enment While he wouldn’t have cared, he knew his father would fuss over small details like that Satisfied it was perfect, he turned and walked briskly across the parquet flooring, wincing at the uneven sound of his heel landing just out of balance of his usual stride His hip was still sore, but he was doing his best tothat discomfort, because his father was certain to lash out at him about that too

The last thing he wanted was another lecture fro entirely if he could have Of course, one didn’t skip out on their father’s fifty-fifth birthday party, especially after Brenda had called to tell hi forward to his presence Talk about laying on the guilt trip, but he could endure an evening of chastisements if it made the old man happy

Trying to saunter as usual, while hiding any discomfort from his hip, he entered his father’s study, unsurprised to find the older ht surprise to see Brenda, but he shrugged it off As the daughter of his father’s oldest friend, she was over rown up with her “Happy birthday, Dad”

He slid a s a seat in what he hoped was a casual fashion He winced slightly when his bruised hip collided with the wooden chair arm, and it was a relief to rest for a minute His doctor had advised hi pressure on the hip for at least teeks, but he hadn’t been able to do that and still come to the party

“Happy birthday, indeed,” said Willia into a fierce line of disapproval “I guess ift this year is that you’re still alive”

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Connor si, wasn’t it?” He sounded blasé, almost dismissive, of his brush with death, but he couldn’t deny he was still having nightular basis evena prototype car rather than coh the crash had sidelined hi season That should please his father

“Too dae as he slammed his fist on the desk He was in a fine fury this time “Have any idea what it’s like to turn on the news and see footage of your son’s car having crashed into the wall and reduced to a charred crisp?”

He dropped the casual act and leaned forward slightly “I’m sorry if it upset you, Dad, but I was out before the car exploded I only received a few minor injuries” Other than his bruised hip, which was still i for a feeeks yet, he was mostly healed otherwise There was a bit of tenderness in his right rib upon occasion, but for the most part, he could pretend like he hadn’t been in the accident—except for the nightmares, of course

“You have no heirs and no one to take over for you It’s clear you have little interest in the family business, and I’ve co over, but until she’s old enough, I’ht you had died, and I realized there was no one there to step in, I knew things had to change, Connor”

He felt the first stirring of concern as he stared across the desk at his father, who still hadn’t sat down Brenda hovered at his side like a pale shadow, her hand lifted as though prepared to reach out for Williah coes?” He geared hi yet to figure out how

Ever since he had been a young man and had deliberately broken away from his father’s corporate footsteps to follow his own path, first as athe racing arena, his father had harangued hiument

His father was a dictatorial bastard, but the worst part was, it was partially because he loved Connor and worried for him To be fair, Connor knew he could also be an intractable ass himself, and he and his father were likely to butt heads because they were so alike in many ways

“It’s high tiot married You need an heir, and there should be someone I can leave this company to in case Lizzie has no interest either Most of all, you need soacy”

Connor snorted “What legacy? I fro line of businessmen who sacrificed their lives for the co a few races on the Foracy, Dad”

“I certainly do,” barked Willia away the con it over to the first charity that will take on the monstrous responsibility”

Connor shook his head, though he was mildly concerned His father had a te threats of which he wouldn’t follow through “You wouldn’t do that You’ve given the best years of your life to the company”

He still re that Connor had no intention of following him down that same dreary path The company was practically William’s life, especially since Connor’s ive it away Would he?

“I will So to throay everything, so am I If you don’t marry Brenda—”

Without thinking about it, Connor was out of his chair so quickly he banged his hip against the arain It was all he could do not to curse as the pain coursed down his leg, but he was too focused on the shock of his father’s words “Brenda?” He turned his gaze to the young wo “What does she have to do with anything?”

“She’s a good girl froood family, and she’ll be an asset to the family and the Blackwell na some of the burden off me, and even if she can’t settle you, any children you have will ensure the company’s future”

He started to argue, but drew up short when he saw the warning in Brenda’s gaze He looked back at his father again, and this time sahat he had missed before His dad’s skin was flushed, and he was clearly breathing heavily Sweat dotted his brow, and there was a faint rasp each time he took a deep breath

He returned his gaze to Brenda, who shared a concerned look with hireed to such a preposterous idea She was trying to protect William from his own te, but he hadn’t realized it had gotten so dire, and as he watched his father’s rage grohen the silence lengthened, he wondered if the other e of a catastrophic heart attack He certainly appeared to be

Feeling the need to diffuse the situation and calm his father soon as possible, he said, “Relax, oldAs it happens, I’ve been seeing someone”

Brenda frowned, and then her expression smoothed He was certain he saw a hint of relief

“Who?” asked Willia floozies”

Over the years, he had “seen” quite a few of those, but he couldn’t always remember their names the next day Now, he realized he needed a name quickly “I don’t think you’ve met her”

His father’s cheeks reddened further “Because she doesn’t exist You?

?re just delaying I won’t have it, do you hear me, Connor?”

“Easy there, Dad I’ the catering staff setting up on the other side of the building” His own irritation was stirring to life, but he n it in because it wouldn’t help the situation He needed to calm his father, not provoke hi from his lips before he could call them back

Willia heavily over his eyes “Assistant? You’ve never mentioned an assistant before”

“Seriously, I’ve never elina? I can’t believe that I don’t knoould function without her, Dad” That elina coordinated his calendar and travel arrangee, email, and the occasional phone call He hadn’t seen her in person for almost two years, since he had interviewed her for the position Skype on his phone hardly counted, since the ie was small and didn’t do her justice

“Well, excellent I assu?”

Connor opened his elina’s absence, but his father pressed on before he could think of anything