Chapter 1My kidnappers ripped off my blindfold, and I saw the last two people I ever expected—my parents.
The same ones who dumped me at an orphanage twenty years ago, then went and adopted Maya to be their perfect little heir.
"Listen. Maya broke something that belongs to Ryan Holt's wife. You're gonna take the blame."
"Everyone knows he's powerful and obsessed with his wife. He's pissed as hell right now. Maya can't handle what's coming."
"But YOU can."
"And honestly? This is the only useful thing someone like you could ever do for this family. You should feel lucky."
Smack—a photo landed in my lap.
"Look at his face and remember it!"
I leaned back, totally calm.
Didn't need to.
Because Ryan Holt?
That's my husband.
...
One second I was celebrating my ninety-ninth company going public.
Next second, someone shoved me into a black car.
Probably a kidnapping. Happens to rich people.
But when they took off my blindfold, I saw them—the two people who left me at an orphanage twenty years ago.
My birth parents.
"Listen."
My mom didn't even say hi.
"Your sister Maya pissed off Ryan Holt. You're taking the fall."
I just stared. "What??"
"God, you really don't know anything."
My dad sounded annoyed. "The biggest family in New York. Ever heard of them?"
Oh, I've heard of them ALRIGHT.
Across the room, Maya—their replacement daughter—was crying her eyes out.
"I didn't mean to!" she sobbed. "I was just trying to help!"
"Shh, it's okay, baby. You're fine."
That was Derek—my fiancé.
Ex-fiancé, I guess.
He was stroking her hair like she was some hurt puppy, not someone who just screwed up big time.
Then he looked at me like I was dirt.
"Fix this mess. And if you blow it, I'll shut down every one of those little shops you keep yapping about."
Those little shops?
Nice, Derek.
Those SHOPS are worth more than your whole family combined.
Whatever.
"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked.
Maya stopped crying instantly.
"Ryan Holt is insane," she said. "Everyone in New York knows how dangerous he is. If he comes after me, I'm dead. But you can handle it."
My mom nodded fast.
"Exactly. You've always been tough. Maya's too delicate for this."
"Plus," my dad added, "you're pretty. Maybe he'll see you and just forget the whole thing."
I almost laughed.
Were they seriously telling me to sleep with him?
My mom's voice went cold.
"Do what we say, and maybe we'll let you back in the family."
"Maybe even find you a good husband. Give you a real life."
Maya was draped all over Derek now, looking pathetic.
"Sis, I know this is hard," she said softly. "But you're the big sister. You're supposed to protect me."
She paused, and I saw this smug look flash across her face.
"And if something happens to you... don't worry. We'll put your best photo at your funeral. Light candles every year on your birthday."
Wow.
They're already planning my funeral.
Any hope I had about these people—gone.
But what did I expect?
People who abandon their kid don't suddenly grow a heart twenty years later.
Derek threw a photo at me.
"That's Ryan Holt. Remember his face. Don't screw this up."
I caught it and looked down.
Blond hair. Sharp face. Those green eyes.
I almost laughed right there.
My husband's so hot.
Chapter 2
Yeah. The head of New York's most powerful family—Ryan Holt—that's my husband.
Total hardass at work, but at home? He's a big baby.
Gets mad about the smallest things.
He's been ignoring me lately because I've been too busy with work. Moved out three days ago and won't answer my calls.
But even when he's mad, he still got me a birthday present.
Such a brat.
But... cute.
I put the photo in my pocket and made my voice shake.
"Will he... hurt me?"
My dad just shrugged.
"That's up to you."
"Whatever. Stop talking. Go find Ryan Holt and apologize."
I walked to the door.
Derek grabbed my arm.
"Wait."
He stared at me like I was about to run.
"You're not gonna run, are you?"
Run? I'm going home. Why would I run?
But Derek didn't care. He got in my face.
"I know exactly how girls like you think. You grew up in an orphanage with nothing. I bet you learned every dirty trick there is."
He dropped my arm like it was gross.
"Get this straight," he said.
"Maya's my fiancée. Not you."
"Whatever you've been doing for twenty years, who knows how many guys you've slept with."
"Even if you begged me, I'd never want you."
I had to stop myself from laughing.
I've got Ryan. Why would I ever want this trash?
That's like owning a Ferrari and choosing a broken bike.
Before I could say anything, Derek shoved me in the car.
"I'm taking you there myself. Can't trust you."
Maya grabbed his arm right away.
"I'm coming too! I can't be away from you that long. What if she tries something?"
Derek kissed her forehead.
"Baby, relax. You're the only one I want. I don't even wanna look at her."
He glanced at me in the mirror, looking disgusted.
"I heard all about her. She's just some slut who throws herself at guys. Probably slept with half the city."
Maya hung on his arm, saying she had to come make sure I didn't "mess everything up."
Derek looked at me again.
"Don't do anything stupid. The Holts aren't people you mess with. You make them mad, no one can help you."
Maya smiled.
"Don't worry, babe. She won't dare."
"This is probably the best thing that'll ever happen in her pathetic life. She's not gonna ruin it."
I ignored them, closed my eyes, and leaned back.
These people are hopeless.
The car drove up the hill.
When I saw that white house, I relaxed.
Those trees? I planted those.
That garden? Ryan made that for me. Every flower.
Finally home.
Maybe if I act sad enough, my drama queen husband will stop being mad at me.
I must've smiled because Maya saw it.
She screamed, "Stop the car! Stop now!"
Derek hit the brakes.
"Baby, what's wrong? We're almost—"
Maya turned and stared at me.
"Look at her! She's smiling! Like she's going to see her boyfriend or something!"
She got right in my face.
"What, you think meeting Ryan Holt is your big break? You think this is gonna change your life?"
I opened my eyes and looked at her.
"You've got a wild imagination. You should write TV shows."
"Don't talk back to me!"
Maya's face went red.
She grabbed Derek's arm, her voice suddenly sweet.
"Babe, see how rude she is? She's gonna make Ryan so mad. And we'll all pay for it."
"You're right, baby. Looks like we gotta teach her some respect first."
He got out, pulled me onto the road, and threw me down.
Another car pulled up. Some guys got out, all smiling like creeps.
Before I could stand, Derek stepped on my back.
"Listen. You better behave. Do what we say, or you're gonna regret it."
They were really gonna do this in front of my own house?
I bit his leg. Hard.
Derek screamed.
I jumped up, brushed myself off, and shrugged.
"You wanna fight? Let's go."
One guy smiled and walked closer.
"Oh, I like this one. Feisty girls are way more fun."
Derek grabbed his leg and came at me to slap me.
That's it.
I kicked him right in the balls. Hard.
Derek went down screaming.
"Grab her! Don't let her run!"
Chapter 3
The guys rushed at me all at once.
Seconds later, they had me pinned to the ground. Couldn't move.
Derek stumbled up, bent over in pain, breathing hard.
He lifted his shoe and stomped on my head, like he was trying to crush my skull.
"You ungrateful bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?"
Maya was shaking with rage.
She ran over, looking like she wanted to kill me.
"You hurt my man! You're fucking dead!"
She pulled out a little knife from her purse and pressed it against my cheek, almost breaking the skin.
Her eyes went dark.
"This face is way too pretty. What if Ryan actually likes you and forgets why you're here? Then I did all this for nothing."
Before I could react, she dragged the blade across my skin—blood started dripping out.
"I think we should carve 'slut' on your face. That way Ryan will know exactly what you are. He can do whatever he wants to you, but he'll never take you seriously. You can forget about that."
Derek nodded, his eyes full of hate.
"Good idea. Teach her a lesson."
The knife dug deeper. I screamed.
"I'm Ryan Holt's wife! This is my house! Let go of me right now! Touch me and I swear you're all dead!"
Dead silence.
Then they all burst out laughing.
"Ha! Did she just say she's Mrs. Holt? Did I hear that right?"
"Is this chick crazy or stupid? Even daydreams have limits!"
Maya pressed the knife harder against my lips, the blade freezing cold.
"Sis, even your dreams need to make sense. A slut like you? He'd never marry you."
"Maybe we should just cut out your tongue. Save us from your bullshit."
Derek looked down at me, full of contempt.
"Didn't know you were this delusional."
"Ryan Holt wouldn't even look at trash like you. You think you can dream about him?"
Blood poured from my cut lips.
I wanted to fight back, but the pain was too much. I couldn't speak.
My silence made them bolder.
Maya grabbed my jacket and ripped it open. Buttons flew everywhere.
A photo fell out of my pocket and landed on the ground.
The one Derek gave me—Ryan's photo.
Maya snatched it up and showed Derek, like she'd found evidence.
"See! I knew it! She was dying to see Ryan! She's obsessed with him! Look how pathetic!"
"Wow, what a desperate slut. Can't resist any man."
She turned to the guys holding me, her voice full of nasty encouragement.
"She wants men so bad... why don't you guys give her a taste first?"
"See if she's even good enough for Mr. Holt."
The guys started breathing heavy, their eyes turning gross.
One of them ripped my shirt off. The fabric tore loud.
"Don't worry, we'll teach her real good."
"By the time we're done, she'll be perfect for Mr. Holt. He'll love it."
Derek just stood there watching. Didn't move.
I fought back hard, kicking wildly, trying to cover myself with what was left of my bra.
Someone started pulling my pants down, rough like tearing garbage.
They were about to rip my underwear when...
Suddenly, bright headlights hit us, lighting up everything.
Derek and Maya's faces went white.
Like they'd seen a ghost.
They recognized that car.
Because there was only one like it in the whole city.
My husband Ryan's car. One of a kind.
The window rolled down.
He sat there. Same perfect face.
But right now, he looked furious. Eyes cold enough to kill.
"Attacking people at my front door? You've got guts."
Derek panicked and started explaining, his voice shaking, face full of fake smiles.
"Mr. Holt, let me explain! She broke the gift you gave your wife. We just wanted to... teach her a lesson for you..."
Maya's eyes went wide.
She put on a pitiful look, adjusting her dress and pulling her neckline down to show cleavage.
"Mr. Holt, we didn't mean anything bad!"
Meanwhile, the guy on top of me had his hand on my underwear.
I bit down on the pain from my cut lips and screamed with everything I had.
"RYAN!!!!"
