KIER

"Welcome back, fam! You know the drill, live and loud from my favorite spot in the city." I angled my phone, letting the stream capture the pulsing lights and packed dance floor. The chat exploded with messages—half drooling over me, half begging for attention.

I leaned back against the leather booth. My tailored shirt clung tightly to my chest, the top buttons undone to flash just enough skin. I ran a hand through my messy hair, pretending not to notice the lens lingering on my face.

"In case you forgot, you’re tuned into the Kier Blackwood channel, where you watch me live a life you’ll never afford. But hey, at least you can pretend."

I skimmed the chat, smirking at the desperate comments. Kier, you’re a god! Notice me, please! What’s tonight’s drink?

I swirled the champagne, holding the crystal flute up to the camera. "Champagne, because why settle for less? And before you ask, no, it’s not cheap. Not that you'd taste the difference."

"And you all keep asking for the secret to my glow," I teased, dropping my voice for effect. "It’s all about flawless lighting… and elite company." I panned the camera to the gorgeous models beside me, laughing and clinking their glasses.

The chat blew up with emojis—some crowning me king, others calling me a prick. I just chuckled. "Oh, and for those asking if I’ll ever settle down? Hate to burst your bubble, but love’s just a cheap ploy. I’m here for the good stuff: money, power, and a wild time."

I grabbed one of the models, pulling her flush against me, and crashed my lips onto hers. I kissed her deep and wet, like the world was ending tomorrow. She straddled my lap as I flashed a cocky grin at the camera and winked. Cutting the stream, I tossed my phone aside and gave my undivided attention to the hot girl grinding against me, and the others waiting their turn.

I partied like there was no tomorrow, blacking out long before I ever made it home.

A shrill ringing pierced my throbbing skull. I peeled my eyes open and swatted blindly at the nightstand. Why the hell did I even own an alarm clock? I didn’t care; it had to die.

"Shut up!" I groaned, chucking the clock at the wall. It shattered into plastic pieces. I smiled as sweet silence flooded the room. I was just stretching out on the mattress when I brushed against someone beside me.

Assuming it was one of last night's girls, I threw an arm around their waist. But the body I grabbed was fully clothed. Strike one: no woman in my bed ever wore clothes. Strike two: the solid muscles under my palm.

"I do not appreciate being groped, sir," a deep voice rumbled.

My eyes snapped open. My burly bodyguard—who doubled as my driver—was lying on my bed.

"What the fuck, Damon?" I yelled. Scrambling away from him, I tumbled right off the mattress and slammed into the floor. "Shit!" I hissed.

"Mr. Blackwood, I sent your guests home because—" he started, but I cut him off.

"I didn’t tell you to do that! Who gave you the green light?" I barked. But the words died in my throat when I looked up and saw the last person I expected.

"I did. Get your act together and meet me downstairs," my father, the notorious Donald Blackwood, demanded. He didn't wait for an answer, just spun on his heel and slammed the door.

"What the hell? It’s too damn early for this," I groaned, raking a hand through my hair.

"It’s noon, sir," Damon pointed out, but I shot him a lethal glare.

"Shut up and get out. And let's get one thing straight: stay out of my bed unless you're on my fuck list," I snapped. He grimaced and walked out, clicking the door shut.

I sighed, rubbing my tired face. "What does that old man want?"

Downstairs, ten minutes later, I literally spit out my orange juice.

"Do I need to repeat myself? I said you are marrying Genesis Caldwell tomorrow," my father repeated.

I gaped at him. He had lost his damn mind. This had to be a sick joke.

"Dad, you’re tripping. There is zero chance I’m marrying some random chick tomorrow. Where is this even coming from?"

My father scowled, his gray eyes flashing with sheer disgust. "It’s coming from your reckless behavior. I am done tolerating it. You will do exactly as I say, or you will lose everything. The trust fund, the company, this flashy penthouse. All of it, gone."

What the actual hell? Was this a nightmare? If it was, I needed to wake up. Fast.

"Dad, you can’t do that," I argued, jumping up to pace the room. The ground was literally crumbling beneath my feet.

"Watch me. If you aren't at the courthouse tomorrow, every single asset gets frozen."

"Fuck!"

"I’m sick of your antics. It’s time you grew a pair. You’re almost thirty, and you live like a frat boy," he said coldly, before dropping the real bombshell. "If you want the company, you will marry this girl and give me an heir."

"An heir?" I choked out, my stomach doing flips. I never wanted kids. Settle down? Hell no. And he was forcing this on me in twenty-four hours?

I stepped toward the kitchen counter, staring down at the photograph he had tossed there. To my shock, the girl looked oddly familiar, though I couldn't place her face.

"Dad, she looks like a teenager! Isn’t this illegal? You expect me to marry a kid?"

"I just don’t have a recent photo," he deadpanned. "But you should know her. That’s Genesis Caldwell. You two were thick as thieves when you were kids, even if she was just a toddler."

I shook my head in total disbelief, but something about her sparked a faded memory. She was undeniably gorgeous in the photo, but people change. Would she even be my type now?

"I don’t remember her, Dad. Can’t we rethink this? I swear I’ll clean up my act. Don’t back me into this corner," I pleaded.

He just shook his head, standing up and smoothing his crisp suit. He shot me one final glance, and I knew my fate was sealed. I was marrying a virtual stranger—a ghost from my past.

Hand on the doorknob, my father paused, looking back with a smug smirk.

"Tomorrow, Kier. You’ll remember her. And trust me, she won’t be so easy to forget this time."

The door clicked shut. His words hung in the dead air, hitting me harder than any hangover I’d ever had.