Page 72 of Desperate Measures

Tablets.

Electronic vehicles.

What had once been considered luxuries—all those high-performance gadgets we all craved—had morphed into essential tools for daily life.

From work to entertainment, fitness to communication, these devices had become extensions of ourselves. With that shift from things you’d like to things you actually needed to survive came an ever-growing expectation.

People didn’t just want these products, they needed them now. They demanded they worked faster, lasted longer, and recharged more quickly.

Kind of like my husband.

Desire was the driving force behind the market. And behind my investment in this marriage.

Sure, I was tickled that Liam had made me a partner almost immediately. For the first time in my life, someone recognized my value as something more than just a Volkov. He seemed to see me.

Like really see me.

Even better? I enjoyed my new job.

ODI was a special place. It had just the right amount ofpush the limits,ask all the questions, andtake no shitmeetscool tech company ambianceto make employees feel proud and excited about their work for us.

Nano batteries were the key to unlocking unlimited potential in today’s market.

With their superior energy density, faster charging capabilities, and longer-lasting power, nano batteries transformed the way we interacted with our devices.

With few American companies making strides in this area, ODI had a pretty open field.

Improving lives, powering the technology you crave.

That was our company motto, and it wasn’t half bad.

As the demand for more efficient and convenient products grew, ODI’s role in the market was becoming more crucial. The company’s future looked great.

As for my marriage, the jury was still out. We had crazy physical chemistry.

That part was undeniable. It was the emotional side I was unsure about.

I knew it was foolish of me to have feelings for the man, but how was I supposed to help it? Love cropped up unexpectedly, and well, I knew myself well enough to realize it was hopeless.

I was in love with my husband-of-convenience.

Maybe I should have just told my parents about that DJ all those years ago, but the person I was would never have done that.

Ironic that I’d craved independence and freedom and wound up losing both in an arranged marriage to keep my promise to Margaret O’Doyle for getting me out of that whole mess.

And what did I have to show for it now?

I’d actually fallen in love with the man. But what would happen when he fell in love with someone and wanted out? Or worse, did he think he could keep a mistress and me as his wife?

We hadn’t thought that far ahead. Hadn’t laid out any ground rules.

For all I knew, Liam could already have one.

No! He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. Would he?

He’d never said anything like it, and his whole demeanor was that of someone possessive. But I knew men like that, and it was just part of his chemical makeup. It had nothing at all to do with me.

And to my utter shame, I really wished it did.

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