Paper Marriage Proposition (Gage Brothers 1)

Beth flipped the pages. “Phone numbers of the people he meets with, the kind of deals he’s done and with whom, reporters he’s dealing with, the women.” She slapped it shut with some drama. “Everything is here—everything. And I will give this book to you if you help me.”

He stared fiercely at the little black book, then into her face. “And Halifax hasn’t noticed this book is…in his ex-wife’s hands?”

“He thinks it fell overboard the day he took me yachting.”

A dangerous fire sparked in Landon’s eyes; a dark, forgotten vendetta coming to life.

But the elevator jerked to a halt, and his expression eased, once again calm and controlled. “Revenge is tiring, Miss Lewis. I’m not a man who makes a living at it.”

And then he swept out past the doors, stalking into the noisy, swirling ballroom, and Bethany felt her heart implode like a soda can crushed under his foot.

Music and laughter boomed. Jewels glinted under the chandelier light. Beth could see the top of his silky ebony hair as he wound through the sea of elegantly dressed people and soaring marble columns. She could see him—her one and only chance—walking away from her. And all she could think of was no.

Waiters twirled around with armfuls of canapés, and Bethany methodically maneuvered around the crowd. She caught up with him by the sloshing wine fountain as he snatched up a glass.

“Mr. Gage,” she began.

He didn’t break stride as he tossed back the liquid. “Go home, Miss Lewis.”

Beth sprinted three steps ahead of him and raised the black book with imploring hands. “Please listen to me.”

He halted, set the empty glass on a passing tray, then stretched his hand out to her, palm up. “All right, let’s see the goddamned book.”

“No.” The book went back to her chest, protected with both hands. “I

’ll let you see the book when you marry me,” she explained.

“Pardon?”

“Please. I need my circumstances to change so I can get custody. Hector will hate the idea of you having me as a wife. He will…he will want me back. He will fear what I can tell you. And then I can bargain for my child. You can help me. And I will help you destroy him.”

Something akin to disbelief lifted his brows. “You’re a little thing to be full of such hate, aren’t you?”

“Bethany. My name is Bethany. But you can call me Beth.”

“Is that what he called you?”

Her hand fluttered in the air. “He called me woman, but I can’t see how that matters.”

The disgust on his face said it all, how romantic he thought the “pet name” to be. Bethany did not have time to explain, for he’d plunged back into the crowd. Everyone, it seemed, either came forward or waved at him. Event security spotted Landon from their posts, and their quick eyes landed immediately on Beth.

“Look, I warn you,” she said, bumping her shoulder against a woman who said, “Hey!” and swiftly apologizing before sprinting back to his side. “Hector is obsessed. He believes you’re out to get him and he wants to get you first. If you do not actively do something, he will tear you apart.”

He stopped and frowned darkly. “I don’t think you have the vaguest idea of who I am.” As he bent forward, his narrowed gray eyes leveled ominously with hers, making her hackles raise. “I am ten times more powerful than Hector Halifax. He’d dance in a pink tutu if I said so.”

“Prove it! Because all I can say is Hector is happier than he’s ever been. He’s not hurting at all.”

“Landon! God, Landon, there you are.”

He did not glance up at the speaker, but stared at Beth with eyes so tormented they provided a peek into the darkest pits of hell.

Her heart pounded a thousand times in only a couple of seconds.

And still he didn’t speak.

“Let me make this clear, Miss Lewis.” Whatever she’d seen in his eyes vanished as though a shutter had dropped. “I am not in the market for another man’s leavings—nor am I in the market for a wife.”

“It will only be temporary, please, my family is helpless against his, I cannot even see my son! I crawl around the streets waiting for a glimpse of him. You’re the only man who hates my ex-husband as badly as I do. I know you hate him, I can see it in your eyes.”