Page 84 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

“Do I have your word, Dr. Swan?” She nodded hesitantly, and sat back down with a resigned sigh. I glanced down at the empty sheet of paper in front of me. “Tell me your requirements, aside from taking care of the diamond smugglers. Consider them taken care of.”

The way she stared at me made me wonder if she was determining whether to trust me or strangle me. She brushed her hair out of her face and inhaled deeply. Whatever it was, she resigned herself to her faith and to me.

“If you want my fidelity, I want yours too.”

“Done.” Surprise crossed her expression at my fast response. Cheating wasn’t my thing, and I’d seen plenty of what my father’s infidelity did to our family. I didn’t want to repeat his mistakes. “What else?”

She hesitated for a flicker of a moment, then steeled her spine and smiled. “I’ll continue my work, and if it requires travel, extended stays out of the country, you won’t stand in my way. My son comes with me, of course.”

My son. God, how it irked me to hear it stated that way. I wanted to announce it through every channel—to the entire world—that Ares wasourson. He was an Ashford. But there’d be time for that.

“We’ll discuss it together,” I stated diplomatically. “If you’re pregnant, certain areas of the world won’t be safe. If I can accompany you during your travels, I will.” Her jaw tightened but she gave me a terse nod. “Then you have my full support, Dr. Swan.”

I knew I couldn’t forcibly hinder her career. If I held on to her too tightly, I’d only end up crushing her. It’d only push her further away.

“One last thing,” she said, her tone firm. The look in her eyes intrigued me, so I straightened my back. Whatever she was about to demand was clearly non-negotiable. “My son’s name is to be kept out of the public. I don’t want him dragged through the mud, alongside your—” Her tone faltered for a moment as she searched for the right word. “Your father’s political career.”Interesting.She must have kept tabs on my family if she knew about my father's political career and the continual scandals that always seemed to follow him. She sighed and looked away. “I don’t want our marriage broadcasted and impacting any of our children. My career, either.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. I wanted the entire world to know she was mine.

“Understood. I’ll do what I can to divert media attention.”

Chapter35

Odette

Something about the way Byron watched me had me on pins and needles.

No matter how this went, I feared there’d be no getting out of this marriage of convenience—fancy word for forced marriage—unscathed. I’d be a fool to lie to myself.

There was no denying the way he affected me from the moment I laid eyes on him. Six years apart almost amplified the attraction. Much to my dismay.

In the short time he’d known me, he’d hurt me more than anyone. How much would be left of my heart when he was done with me?

“If we do this—and I mean if—I want nothing to do with your father.” Surprise flickered in his eyes. He couldn’t really be surprised. Could he?

“Okay.” He agreed too easily. “If that’s what you want. You’ll always be my first choice. Forever. But in return, I have a few requirements of my own.”

He said forever,my heart sang. Except, I couldn’t blindly trust him. He had lied before. He had deceived me before. I had to keep my reason and keep my feelings to myself. Yes, my body melted for him, but it didn’t mean my heart had to lie on a platter for him.

“Tell me your requirements,” I murmured, annoyed. “Aside from bestowing you with heirs. Assuming you can deliver.”

I couldn’t resist the jab. Although judging by his grin, it didn’t have the desired effect. I realized my mistake the moment I heard his next words.

“To ensure I can deliver, Madeline, you’ll be in my bed every single night.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he didn’t give me a chance to. “Sometimes during the day too.”

X-rated images flashed through my mind, flustering me. The thought of sharing a bed with Byron—night in and night out—made me lose that very reason I was struggling to keep hold of. The last time I spent a night with him, I had lost all my restraint. Even just hours earlier, I barely recognized the woman splayed out on the desk in his office.

Heat rushed through me as memories flooded in. The same ones I kept at bay in order to survive my broken heart.

I bit down on my lip, a pulsing ache throbbing between my thighs matching the one in my chest.

“There’s no going back after this. From this day onward, your body and your essence are mine. I want all of you, and I won’t settle for anything less.”

The intensity of his gaze made me feel vulnerable. I wrapped my arms around myself, as if it could shield me. The craving in my body worried me. No, it actually terrified me. How could I want him after all that he and his father had put me through?

Yet, I did. Maybe in the grand scheme of things, I was my own worst enemy. If only I could hate him, I’d save myself a world of heartache. Six years ago, I’d have given him everything without a second thought. Today, I was a different woman. I had to put on a mask of indifference and protect myself.

“Do we have an agreement?” I nodded. “Words, Odette. I want your words.”