Danny Carmody has lived life privileged but lonely. He has always sacrificed his own needs to meet the demands of his family. Now he is faced with an arranged marriage intended to reunite the Carmodys and the Dwyers, the city's two most powerful families. Out of his sense of duty, he agrees. But always a romantic at heart, he secretly nurtures hopes of finding love within this sterile business arrangement. Once he meets his intended groom, Evan -- a talented, attractive architect -- those hopes soar.<br><br>Evan Dwyer has grown up reviled by his family. Before he was even born, his mother was blamed for breaking up a planned marriage between the Carmodys and the Dwyers. As a result, both Evan and his mother have lived their lives in virtual exile. But now he has suddenly been deemed of use to the families, and they are blackmailing him into participating in the arranged marriage.<br><br>Furious, he reaches out to the FBI for help and finds only more complications. Too many people want to use him to advance their own agendas. By the time Evan realizes Danny might just be the safe harbor he's looked for all his life, it may well be too late. Evan has set in motion forces that threaten to destroy any hope they have for a future together.

Family Ties

Danny smiled. “Sure. Take your time.”


The food arrived just as Evan was getting out of the shower. He padded into the living room and inhaled appreciatively. “Mmm. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I ended up with just a granola bar for lunch.”


The waiter arranged the dishes on the dining room table and left, pocketing a substantial tip from Danny.


Conversation was light as the two men settled in to enjoy their meal. When they had finished, Evan spoke. “That was wonderful. Way better than the food on the wharf in China.” He picked up the snifter of cognac and sampled it, a pleased look on his face.


“Aren’t you going to try the best key-lime pie in the state?” Danny gestured to Evan’s untouched dessert dish. The hotel was famous for their four-inch-high whipped key lime pie with coconut, and Danny hadn’t been able to resist finishing his piece.


Chapter 71