Chapter 9
Across the ocean in a dimly lit room, I watched the Blackwood stock prices plummet on my screen while swirling red wine m my glass, settling back into the leather sofa with satisfaction.
“Congratulations, Mr. Kane. Soon the Blackwoods will be crushed under your heel.”
Lucas Kane’s lips curved into a smile:” Never imagined the spare Blackwood daughter would go after her own family this ruthlessly. Color me impressed.”
“You’re giving me too much credit, Mr. Kane. What kind of family would just abandon their daughter and sister to die?”
The truth was, when I’d called begging for help that day, Dad and Marcus weren’t actually busy.
For anything involving Madison’s celebrations, they always cleared their schedules completely to be by her side.
And they’d just chosen not to answer my calls.
Kane’s spies at the party had confirmed as much.
Dad had always seen me as expendable.
Marcus had already used me to secure his position as heir–I’d outlived my usefulness.
“Good thing you switched out Madison’s guys, or I really would be missing some fingers right now.”
Kane grinned.
“Just doing what you asked. But I heard you’ve been poking around Kane Industries‘ books lately?”
My wine glass paused mid–swirl.
His face broke into a dangerous smile as he stood and gripped my chin.
The pressure was gentle, but the warning was crystal clear: “Remember why we’re partners. It’s about destroying the Blackwoods, nothing else. Don’t go where you don’t belong.”
“I can fake someone’s death, but I can also make it real,”
My breathing hitched for just a moment.
Then I smiled and covered his hand with mine. “Of course, Mr. Kane. We’re the perfect team.”
He hesitated, then released me: “My private doctor says your scars are treatable. Start preparing–we’ll schedule the surgery
soon.”
My eyes lit up.
As he headed for the door, I called out: “Your face–why don’t you consider getting yours fixed too?”
He turned back. “Does it bother you? How I look?”
I quickly backtracked. “That’s not what I meant at all. It’s totally your choice.”
He studied me for a moment, then left without another word.
I first connected with Lucas Kane when I was shipped off to Marcus’s company.
The Kane and Blackwood families were sworn enemies–years ago, the Blackwoods had used dirty tactics to drive Kane’s parents to their deaths, forcing the family to flee overseas to rebuild.
Kane overlooked our past grievances and accepted me, the daughter of his enemy.
He needed a wife to inherit his parents‘ estate and fight off his greedy uncles.
But his scar and cold demeanor kept scaring off potential brides.
I needed powerful backing against Marcus and the rest of the Blackwood family, who could toss me aside whenever it suited them.
Turns out my guard was justified.
Two scarred outcasts–that’s how we ended up together.
After my scars were fixed, I started accepting invitations to high–society events.
Before, I’d avoid every gathering possible, and when I couldn’t get out of it, I’d wear a veil to hide
my
face.
I’d spent so long covering up that I’d almost forgotten what I looked like without the scars.
Kane didn’t give a damn about appearances.
He’d show up to every party like nothing was wrong, totally ignoring all the “Beauty and the Beast” comments people made behind our backs.
What I didn’t know was that while I was on Kane’s arm at these events, someone else was always watching from the shadows.
1
Tonight I’d had way too much to drink. I was stumbling on the stairs when a hand suddenly reached out to steady me: “Miss Blackwood’s been pretty ruthless with her own family lately.”
That voice…
I whipped around, instantly sobering up.
“Ethan!”
