The evening was suffocating. The Beverly Hills vacation house was immaculate, your mother’s dinner preparations perfect as always. You sat on the edge of the couch, swirling wine and bracing for another dull night of business talk. Mason, your golden-boy brother, sat across from you, as polished as ever.

Your father walked in, his tone sharp. “Jose Menendez and his family will be joining us. Be on your best behavior.”

You rolled your eyes. “More business partners?”

“Watch your tone,” he snapped, but before you could argue, the Menendez family arrived. Jose was as commanding as your father, but it was his elder son, Lyle, who caught your attention. His slicked-back hair and confident smirk hinted at trouble—a mirror of your own rebellious streak.

Dinner dragged on with talk of stocks and markets until your father cleared his throat. “Jose and I have decided something important. To secure the future of our companies, you and Lyle will marry.”

Your fork hit your plate. “Excuse me?”

Lyle leaned back, smirking. “You’re joking, right?”

“It’s not a joke,” Jose said firmly. “This is about responsibility.”

Fury boiled in you. “You’re treating me like a pawn,” you snapped, standing up.

As you stormed outside to escape, Lyle followed. Lighting a cigarette, he leaned against the railing. “So, this is how they trap us.”

You glared at him. “Perfect match, huh? The two disappointments.”

He chuckled darkly. “Maybe. But I’m not playing their game.”

You smirked, a flicker of understanding passing between you. If nothing else, you’d found someone willing to fight back.