Page 16 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

The clause required Aria to 'comply with all direct instructions issued by Damien Blackthorne whenever he deems necessary to preserve the stability, security, or public standing of the union.'

It was a blank check for absolute control.

“This says I have to obey you.”

“In limited circumstances.”

“Circumstances you define.”

“Someone has to exercise final discretion.”

“Then define those circumstances right now.” She would not be his walking puppet, an asset he could use and abuse.

“That defeats the utility of discretion.”

Aria gripped the edge of the page and tore Clause Thirty-One directly out of the contract.

The sound of ripping paper was shockingly loud in the silent room.

Damien went entirely still.

She tore the page in half. Then again. She let the shreds flutter onto the table.

“No obedience clause.”

Damien’s gaze drifted down to the scraps of paper before rising back to her face. “You are testing the limits of my patience.”

“I’m discovering if you have any.”

“I could make one phone call and strip away every concession you’ve fought for tonight.”

“You could,” Aria’s voice trembled, but she held her ground. “And then you’d know that the only way you could hold me was by purchasing my mother’s next breath.”

Damien stood up slowly.

Aria’s chair scraped against the floor as she pushed herself up to meet him.

He walked around the heavy glass table, stepping directly into her personal space until she could feel the heat radiating from him. Every instinct screamed at her to retreat, or yield, but she refused to yield an inch.

“Do not mistake my willingness to negotiate for weakness,” he warned softly.

“Do not mistake my desperation for consent to everything you demand.”

Damien’s jaw tightened. Aria’s heart hammered against her ribs. She had struck him in the car; now she had shredded his contract. Fear and a dark, dangerous tension coiled tight between them.

Damien lifted his hand.

Aria flinched instinctively, bracing herself.

His hand paused mid-air, inches from her cheek.

The energy in the room shifted instantly. The cold anger in his eyes vanished, replaced by an unreadable intensity. He slowly lowered his arm without touching her.

“Has a man laid hands on you before?” he asked softly.

“That is none of your business.”

“It became my business the moment you braced as if I might.”