All Chapters of Tangled Hearts: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Aidan Creek?The name rolled around in my head like a loose marble; I'd seen it somewhere, probably in a newspaper, or overheard it in one of those whispered conversations meant for ears much wealthier than mine. He was one of the richest men in California, practically untouchable.So why the hell would he want a petty thief like me to be his mistress?I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. "You have to be joking. I'd marry a pig before I'd marry you."Aidan didn't flinch, just stared at a slow, calculated stare that had my skin crawling. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but sharp enough to slice through steel."Then I'll make sure you rot in prison," he said. "Trust me, you don't want to know what happens to people like you in there."I froze. It felt like he gut-punched me with his words. He was right: he was the one with power and influence, and I didn't stand a chance. Prison wasn't just a punishment but a sure death sentence for someone like me."Why won't you let

It seemed, suddenly, that a week or two passed in a mist of duties and lies. Playing Hera was a lot more difficult than I'd thought, and Aidan's crankiness wasn't helping one bit. We even had to stage photos, pretending for the press that we were madly in love.I hadn't bargained for any of this paparazzi, the scrutiny, the eternal click-click-clicking of cameras that gave me the creeps. Aidan had assured me it would eventually die down, but I was anything but convinced. I was a small-town girl; I wasn't built for this world of flashing lights and fake smiles.The worst part, though, was sharing a bed with Aidan. I'd had my room to start, but his dad insisted on the arrangement since it would make the charade all the more believable.I lay now, awake in the dark, and listened to the soft rhythm of Aidan's breathing. He had looked different while sleeping-softer, almost human. The constant tension that always twisted his features had dissipated, leaving him to look… peaceful. His hair,

Her lips collided with mine with a power that took my breath away. For an instant, I paused, the tempest of feelings tearing at the barriers I’d created around me. Artemis was the flavor of uprising and sweet defiance, and even though my brain urged me to stop, my body let me down. This was not meant to happen. Artemis had remained an enduring, persistent allure, always too nearby, too intense, too… her. I had reminded myself countless times to keep my distance. Women like her—no, all women—brought trouble, and I had learned this lesson through tough experiences. My history carried wounds I couldn’t reveal, reminders of how effortlessly trust could be broken. Yet at that instant, all the rules I had established for myself fell apart. Her lips melted against mine, urging a reaction I had suppressed for far too long. My hands acted independently, grabbing her waist, drawing her nearer until the warmth of her body endangered to burn away every bit of my self-restraint. And then I ki

8 p.m. arrived sooner than I anticipated. My phone vibrated in my hand as the moment approached. This evening wasn’t an ordinary one—it was one I couldn’t manage to get ready for, regardless of how hard I attempted. I stepped out into the silent hallway; my heels clicked against the polished marble floor. Daymon stood by the door, his broad frame rigid, his eyes locking onto mine. Something about the intensity in those eyes ripped a ripple of unease right through me."Daymon?" My brow furrowed; I slowed my steps. "Why are you looking at me like that?"He hesitated, something unreadable crossing his face. "No reason," he murmured, tone flat. With reluctance, he added, "You look… good, ma'am.”The tightness in his tone was not to be missed. He wasn't one for compliments, and the words felt out of place.We walked silently to where the waiting car was, his eyes staying on me. But then the sleek black Range Rover came into view, and everything else faded. Aiden leaned casually against th