Chapter 1

Sarah thought her life was perfect.

Five years married to Ethan, CEO of Aegis Global Solutions.

His company was powerful, private security, big government contracts, some off the books.

They lived in Washington D.C.

Publicly, Ethan adored her.

Their marriage looked like a fairytale.

He made her seem like his most cherished person.

His biggest weakness.

She believed it.

She loved him, a deep, passionate love she thought he returned.

But there were the accidents.

The attacks.

A car bombing attempt two years ago.

A kidnapping last year.

Ethan always saved her, always the hero.

She trusted him completely.

Then, one evening, the illusion shattered.

Ethan was in his study with Marcus, his head of security.

The door was slightly open.

Sarah walked by, on her way to their bedroom.

She heard Ethan' s voice, low and serious.

"If I don't make Sarah the obvious target, how can Olivia continue her work in those conflict zones without becoming a pawn?"

Sarah stopped.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Olivia.

Olivia Hayes, the famous international human rights lawyer.

Ethan' s childhood sweetheart.

He still talked about her sometimes, a distant fondness Sarah had never questioned.

Now, the words echoed.

Obvious target.

Pawn.

Sarah leaned against the wall, her hand covering her mouth.

Her life, her suffering, it was all a show.

A charade to protect Olivia.

The recent "botched corporate espionage attempt," the one that left her with a concussion and three broken ribs, it was probably another setup.

Ethan had held her in the hospital, his face a mask of concern, vowing revenge on those who dared touch his wife.

Lies. All lies.

Her perfect marriage, her adoring husband, everything was a lie.

The pain was sharp, a sudden, brutal tearing inside her.

She felt sick.

Her world, so carefully constructed, so beautiful, crumbled around her.

She wanted to scream, to confront him.

But a cold understanding settled in.

She couldn't. Not yet.

She needed to know everything.

She needed to escape.

Later that night, Ethan came to bed.

He wrapped his arms around her, his body warm against hers.

"You okay, sweetheart?" he murmured into her hair. "You seem quiet tonight."

Sarah forced herself to relax, to sound normal.

"Just tired," she whispered. "My ribs are still aching a bit."

He kissed her shoulder. "I'm so sorry you went through that. I'll make them pay, Sarah. I promise."

His voice was sincere, loving.

It made her stomach churn.

She closed her eyes, feigning sleep, her mind racing.

She had to be smart. She had to be careful.

Ethan was dangerous, more dangerous than she had ever imagined.

And she was his perfect, unsuspecting decoy.