He's royalty. Ruthless. And used to getting exactly what he wants.

Payton doesn't belong in my world of crowns and calculated lies-she's too real, too raw. She thinks she can slip into my life for one night and vanish. But I've already decided... she's mine.

She planned for a quick escape.

I plan to never let her go.

She hides in the shadows, playing it safe behind her clipboard and perfect smile but I see the fire underneath, and I want to be the one to unleash it. To claim it.

In my world, secrets are currency and power is a weapon. She doesn't know it yet, but loving me comes with consequences. And I'll burn kingdoms to the ground to protect her from every single one.

Now, she has a choice-run from what we've started, or risk everything to stand beside a man who would give up the throne for her.

Because I'm not just falling for her.

I'm ready to rewrite the rules for her.

And this time, I'm not asking.