PROLOGUE
The rain hammered against the stained-glass windows of the old chapel like it was trying to drown out the lie being spoken at the altar.
Liora Kane stood rigid in the front pew, black dress clinging to her damp skin, the cheap bouquet of lilies wilting in her white-knuckled grip. Her father's casket gleamed under the dim lights polished wood hiding the truth no one else seemed willing to see. Suicide, they called it. A tragic fall from grace after his company collapsed.
She knew better.
Her gaze lifted to the back of the chapel where he sat. Damien Voss, the man whose empire had swallowed her father's life whole. Even in mourning black, he looked like he owned the air itself broad shoulders, sharp jaw, eyes like midnight ice that didn't belong in a house of God he hadn't come for condolences, he'd come to make sure the job was finished.
Liora's chest burned Six months ago, her father had been on the verge of exposing something big something that could have toppled the Voss conglomerate then the "scandal" hit followed by the debts, then the pills and the quiet note no one believed was real.
She had spent weeks piecing it together in dingy libraries and late-night forums, bank transfers, threatening emails, Damien's signature on the final deal that crushed Kane Financial like it was nothing.
Now her family was ruined her little brother was drowning in medical bills from the stress-induced illness that followed their home was days from foreclosure and the man responsible sat three rows back, checking his watch like he had better places to be.
The service ended people offered hollow hugs and empty promises liora stayed until the last footsteps faded, then walked straight down the aisle toward the exit toward him.
Damien rose as she approached up close, he was taller than she expected, his presence suffocating a faint scar traced his left eyebrow, and his cologne carried notes of cedar and something colder Miss Kane, he said, voice low and controlled My condolences.
She stopped inches away, heart slamming against her ribs "Save your lies I know what you did for a second, something flickered in those dark eyes surprise, maybe amusement Bold words at your father's funeral? Im just getting started.
She turned to leave, but his hand caught her wrist not hard enough to bruise, but firm enough to stop her cold. Heat shot up her arm despite the chill in the air. You're angry, he murmured Good anger keeps people alive but it also makes them reckless Liora yanked free, glaring up at him. You took everything from us, I will make you pay Damien studied her for a long moment, like she was a puzzle he hadn't expected to find interesting then he reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek black card, pressing it into her palm. When you are ready to stop playing in the dirt and face the real world, call me I have a proposal that could save what's left of your family. She wanted to throw it in his face instead, her fingers closed around the card like a lifeline she hated needing as he walked away, the chapel doors closing behind him with a heavy thud, Liora stared at the embossed gold lettering
Damien Voss – Voss International
Her father's voice echoed in her head from better days Never make a deal with the devil, Liora but if you must… make sure you're the ne holding the knife. She slipped the card into her purse, rain still pounding outside.t
This wasn't over.
It was only the beginning.
