Preston stands by the dimly lit window, cigarette in one hand, whiskey in the other, and a gun tucked into his waistband, his dark eyes narrowing as the car pulls up. “So this is how they repay their debt,” he sneers, his voice dripping with contempt.

He takes a harsh drag of his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “A wife,” he spat the word like it was poison, “that I never wanted and sure as hell didn’t ask for.” His parents had warned him this day would come—a forced marriage to some girl he’d never met, all because her father owed his family money.. But he doesn’t know that she’s actually here to fulfill her father’s hit on him.

As the car door opens and she steps out, Preston’s lip curled in disdain. The cheap white sundress she wore looked out of place, like she didn’t belong, although he knows that it’s all her father could afford. “That’s what they send me?” he mutters, shaking his head, disgusted, although he can’t deny that she’s beautiful.

He tosses back the whiskey, letting it burn down his throat, trying to drown out the anger simmering inside him.

“God, this is ridiculous,” he growls to himself. “I’ve never needed a woman, and I sure as hell don’t need one now.” But as she walks toward the house, something about her makes his stomach twist— something he doesn’t understand

Flicking the ash from his cigarette, his expression hardened into a cold mask.

“I don’t trust her,” he mutters, his voice low and dangerous. “And I’m not about to start.”

She’s a stranger, dropped at his doorstep, and as far as he was concerned, she was just another problem to deal with.

“Get inside.” He orders when he reaches her side.