Chapter 3
DANI
After sitting by my father’s bedside, listening to his worries, I found Paul Knight’s number in my father’s diary and called him.
Others might have sent an email, but time is of the essence and it feels as if we don’t have time for that.
He answered smoothly, and with great charm, in a voice rich with warmth. Perhaps it was a little too warm, a little too smooth, but I found it reassuring. It was what I needed.
“Ah, Daniela,” he said, as if he’d been expecting my call. “How is your father?” His voice dripped with concern, so much so that I almost believed it.
I explained, politely but directly, that I was sorry the alliance hadn’t gone through and that my father was still very eager to make a deal. I also mentioned—offhand and casually, as if it wasn’t the real reason I was calling—that I’d recently discovered he had five other sons.
Because I was so worried about having to marry Oscar Ramos, I didn’t dance around the topic.
“Mr. Knight, my father is most anxious for this alliance, and I was wondering if there was any possibility that we could form an alliance, if one of your other sons might be more amenable to this arrangement.”
He paused and I heard my heartbeat thumping inside my ribcage. Then, his voice turned warm again, almost approving.
“It’s certainly worth considering. Why don’t you come over, and we’ll set something up? I’m sure both our families can benefit greatly from a short alliance, especially with a family whose business is as prestigious and as successful as AO Eletronica’s.”
My heart sank a little at that. I wasn’t going to correct him, but I also don’t fully share my father’s pessimistic view that our business is failing. But a man like Paul Knight would have done his due diligence and gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb. He’s obviously happy with the company. I sense he needs us as much as we need him.
Naturally, my parents were shocked when I told them I was going to New York to meet Paul Knight. My father insisted that he come along, but I told him all I needed was for him to get well again.
And to believe in me.
His reply?
Always , filha.
***
I’m sitting in the VIP lounge at the airport, a bottle of still water in my hand, though I haven’t taken a sip.
My flight to New York boards in less than an hour. I should be going over my talking points for my meeting with Paul Knight. I should be reminding myself why I’m doing this; why I’m about to step into the lion’s den of one of the most ruthless business families in the world.
Instead, I’m staring at my phone, Raquel’s name glowing on the screen.
I should call my best friend.
I want to call her.
But what would I even say? That I’m flying to New York to discuss a potential business alliance that could help my father’s company. An alliance that involves me marrying a man I’ve never met? That I might walk into that meeting and have my future decided by cold negotiations between men who see me as leverage rather than a person?
That won’t go over well.
Raquel would murder me.
A wry smile tugs at my lips. My best friend from childhood, the person I went to Georgetown University with and lived with while in the US—she wouldn’t just murder me—she’d stage a full-scale intervention, drag me to a law office, and have me signing restraining orders against every single Knight before sundown. She isn’t just protective; she’s relentless. Brilliant. A force of nature wrapped in designer heels and sharp wit.
And I’ve told her nothing .
I never even mentioned anything to her about Jett Knight.
I thumb at the screen, hesitating. Maybe I’ll visit her before I fly back home. She lives and works in Miami. I could say I have a layover, meet for a quick drink, pretend everything is fine. But Raquel isn’t the kind of woman you can lie to, a least, not easily. She knows me. She reads between the lines, catches the hesitations, senses the things I don’t say.
She isn’t an idiot. And now, if I suddenly tell her I’m flying to New York with no clear reason? She’d know something was up.
I exhale sharply and lock my phone.
The worst part is, she’s going to find out eventually. I can’t keep an entire marriage from her. Should things work out for me on this visit. And when she does find out, she’s going to question it. Hard.
Because men fall for me. They always have. Raquel has seen it happen too many times.
She’s been my shield against them when I needed her to be, my wing woman when I needed an escape. She knows how they stare, how they follow, how they want . She’s spent years teasing me about it, rolling her eyes at the way they trip over themselves to impress me, joking that I should be charging a tax for the privilege of my attention.
So when I have to tell her I’m getting married, to a man she’s never heard me mention, a man she knows I haven’t been dating, she’s not just going to accept it at face value. She’s going to suspect. And if she suspects, she’ll dig .
Which means if this works out and there is a marriage, we have to be convincing .
My stomach twists at the thought. I don’t even know any of the Knights yet, and somehow, I’m supposed to play the part of an adoring wife to one of them? To hold hands and smile up at a strange man like he’s the center of my world, convince Raquel, and everyone else, that this marriage is real ?
I grip the armrest of my chair, my pulse hammering.
It’s not just about fooling my friends. My father and Paul Knight have been clear: no one outside of our families can know this is an arrangement. If the truth gets out, it could ruin everything—the business deal, the fragile alliance, the perception we need to give to the outside world and the investors and shareholders.
This marriage is one that is made in heaven, but it’s also a merger of two powerful families.
It’s my father’s chance to boost his company.
I have no choice.
I have to lie to Raquel.
If things work out, and there is a marriage, I’ll have to convince her that this is love, not business.
And I must make an alliance, because if I fail, if somehow I can’t walk away with a Knight, then I’ll have no choice but to marry Oscar Ramos.
And that isn’t a choice.
It’s a death sentence.
The boarding announcement crackles over the speakers, and I rise, smoothing down my dress. I pick up my phone one last time, staring at Raquel’s name.
Then I tuck it away.
I’ll deal with her later .
For now, I have bigger battles to fight.
***
Paul Knight paid for my flight, and set me up in a glamorous hotel in New York.
I arrived in New York from Brazil last night. I’ve been here twice, for a weekend with friends when I was studying in Washington and the second time when I ran the marathon. This city isn’t completely alien to me.
Landing so late, I went straight to bed and have spent the morning getting my bearings, reading up on the Knight brothers again. I’d already done my research before leaving Brazil, but looking at photos of them online now, knowing one of them might end up as my husband, makes it feel different.
There are five of them. They all look ... impressive . Handsome, powerful, successful. But I don’t care about looks. That’s never been my priority. It’s the person inside that I’m more interested in.
And the “why?”
Why would someone marry a stranger for a year? I have my reasons, and I’d like to know theirs.
I’m due to meet Paul Knight at his apartment later this morning. He told me he doesn’t think I should go to his office. He wants to talk about this informally.
I’d like to believe him, I really would, but for a man heading the multi-billion Knight Enterprises, I’m surprised he’s able to make so much time for me and at such short notice.
He mentioned that he’s hosting some kind of high-profile event tonight at his penthouse, and I’ll have to come to that. He’s asked me to “Dress to impress,” for that event.
For now, this morning’s meeting is an informal chat about “how we can best help one another” and he’s arranged for a chauffeur to pick me up.
I’m curious about meeting him.
I should be grateful that he agreed to meet me so soon. For now I’ll focus on what my father told me: One year. That’s all we need, filha. One year, and the cash injections from the Knights will go a long way to helping with our ambitious plans to boost AO Eletronica.
I get ready quickly, nerves frayed as my mind buzzes about what to expect. I’m nervous as I get into the chauffeured car. My heart races when I step into the elevator of the building where Paul lives. This sprawling tower symbolizes wealth in a way I didn’t think was possible. As I ascend, shimmering glass and mirrors everywhere, I’m in awe of the magnificent views of the skyline.
I know this lifestyle well. The wealth, the glitz. I’m used to this life of privilege and security. I’ve grown up surrounded by luxury, attending exclusive events, brushing shoulders with politicians and billionaires.
I shouldn’t be surprised, but this is another level.
Anxiety floods my veins, and I take a few calming breaths and try to imagine my father smiling and healthy again.
The elevator dings and the doors glide open. I step into a world of polished marble and large expansive windows overlooking views of places I’ve only seen in films before.
A maid ushers me in, but I barely take in my surroundings before Paul Knight greets me.
He’s tall. Gray-blue eyes. Not as warm as I expected. Truth be told, he’s nothing like I expected. His voice on the phone had been smoother, more inviting. In person, he studies me with a sharp, assessing gaze. His smile is soft, but I feel as if there’s something calculating behind it.
I recover quickly, returning his smile as I step forward.
“Daniela,” he says, extending a hand. “Welcome.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Shall we?” He gestures for me to follow him.
I pass a few rooms, before Paul Knight leads me into this smaller more informal one, but I don’t see photos anywhere. The entire penthouse reeks of money and mind-boggling wealth, yet there is no color. No warmth. No woman’s touch. Everything is sleek and metal or glass. It’s nothing like my home back in S?o Paulo. The home that will always have a place in my heart, no matter where I might settle in later years.
We sit. We talk. He asks about my family, my father, my mother.
“It takes a lot to call me directly,” he muses. “I’m impressed.”
“I understand, Mr. Knight.”
“Don’t call me Mr. Knight,” he corrects, amused. “Too formal. If we’re going to be family soon...”
I force another polite smile, as the picture of Oscar Ramos in my head fades, replaced by a blur of the Knight brothers. I have no idea which one it will be. I look around the room and find it odd that there are no family photos to be seen. Not a single photo up anywhere.
“I was surprised to hear from you. It’s been months since the previous deal fell through. What prompted this, Daniela?”
I have to be careful. I can’t tell him about Oscar Ramos, or my father being so sick with worry.
“Well, Mr.— Paul ,” I correct myself quickly, “You were the one who approached my father first.” His eyes narrow. He doesn’t like being reminded of that fact. He tilts his head, and I can’t tell if he’s surprised that I said what I did, or if he’s angry.
I smile, leaning forward slightly. “My father is excited about this arrangement, as am I. It’s an incredible opportunity for both of us. I truly believe we can benefit from each other.”
He tilts his head, considering me. “So, you’re not in it for the relationship?”
I blink. “It’s an arranged marriage, Paul.”
“In some cultures, arranged marriages lead to... fruitful entanglements.”
“Yes, but affairs of the heart can be unpredictable,” I counter smoothly, “It might be better, for both parties, to see this more as a business proposition.”
His smile sharpens, and he seems to like my answer. “I like that you’re pragmatic. Business-minded, too, and you have no delusions about what this is.”
“I am fully aware that this is purely business.” I don’t yearn to meet a man and fall in love.
Not yet.
I had two relationships while I was in college here in the US. Nothing serious. Ever since I moved back home, I’ve been focused on proving myself at my father’s company. He gave me a prestigious role, but I work hard, long hours, to prove myself. I don’t want anyone to accuse my father of nepotism.
But I see what my parents have and I want a marriage as strong and as durable as theirs. I want a man to look at me the way my father looks at my mother, when she doesn’t even realize it. When she’s doing the most mundane of tasks like watering a plant, or sipping her coffee.
My father looks at my mother as if she were his next breath.
I hope to have that one day.
For now, I keep mostly to myself. I’ve learned to bury my own needs and focus on my family and our business instead.
The marriage of convenience is like a task on my to-do list. It’s a goal, something that needs to be done, and once it’s done, I can cross it off.
Most of the men I’ve met see me as a commodity. So it’s going to take a special man for me to open up and trust him. To allow myself to fall in love with him.
I feel a coldness here, sitting across the room from Paul. There’s a lack of spirit here, but I try to remain positive. The Knight brothers are closer to my age than Oscar Ramos, and I should be grateful for that. At least I’ll have more in common with them.
And it’s only for a year.
Paul tells me the rules. This will be a marriage in name only. Separate bedrooms. No emotions. No feelings. No commitment. It’s a business arrangement, nothing more.
But we will have to live together.
The outside world will need to see that we are an alliance, that Knights and the Oliveiras make a formidable partnership, Paul enthuses. I look up and force myself to nod, as he talks about the business deal, more than it being a marriage. That’s a good way of looking at it.
He’s watching me, waiting for an answer to a question I’ve already forgotten.
“I’m family-oriented,” I add quickly. “I love my parents, and I’d do anything for them.”
“Oh?” His eyes darken slightly, as if weighing my words. “You would do anything for them?”
I straighten, careful not to appear too eager. “Of course. My father built this business from nothing. It means everything to him.”
Paul leans back, steepling his fingers. “Is there anything I should know?”
I swallow. Does he already suspect?
“I just want what’s best for my family,” I say carefully. “And who wouldn’t want to come and live in America?” I throw in a light laugh. “Your sons are all accomplished men. Handsome too.”
“And filthy rich,” he adds.
This feels like a test. “Yes, as am I. My family, I mean.”
He nods.
I sit back, feeling more emboldened now that he’s talking more about business than feelings and emotions. “People use dating apps to find someone compatible. I’d rather align with someone who shares my goals.”
Paul watches me for a long moment. Then, he smiles. “That is exactly the type of woman I’d hope for my sons to marry, but …” He leans forward in his expensive looking leather chair.
“I’ve been a businessman for over forty years. There are CEOs, and captains of industry who don’t have the balls to pick up the phone and call me. And yet, you did.”
I flash my glitziest smile, hoping to gloss over the desperation he might have sensed in what I did. Why I did it.
“I’m not shy, Mr. Knight.” I continue, “I just don’t like seeing a good opportunity pass me by. If I want something, I go for it.”
He surveys me for longer than I am comfortable with. This is nothing like what I was expecting. I feel like I’m being chewed to pieces by piranhas.
“It’s just that people don’t do what you did unless they need something desperately.” It’s like he can smell blood in the water.
“We both have a lot to gain from this union, Paul. You get access to the number one global telecommunications company in Latin America.” We were , but surely he will be doing his own due diligence.
“I agree, absolutely. I was just curious to know if you were acting out of need. But I see now that you’re not just beautiful. You’re smart, and you’ve got guts.”
I swallow and remain silent, because I was acting out of need. I no longer know how to gauge the success of this meeting. It’s been nothing like I imagined. “And that’s a good thing,” he continues, oblivious to the chaos churning inside me. “Because you’ll need your smarts and guts, especially when it comes to my boys.”
My eyes widen and I wonder if he’s issuing me a subtle warning.
He chuckles. “Don’t worry. They don’t bite, but … I can’t see them being amenable to something like this.” He stands. “I wouldn’t be able to sell this as an arranged marriage deal, but I’ve been working on this, ever since we spoke. I believe tonight’s event would be the perfect opportunity for you to meet my sons. I’m hosting a special evening tonight.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Special?”
“A soiree. I didn’t think you’d want to be presented like some prize pony at a gala.” I listen intently, as he continues. “But my sons are headstrong. If I make this about business rather than a matchmaking spectacle, they’ll be more likely to listen.”
“Is that why your oldest son pulled out?”
Paul’s lips tighten. “He had other ideas.”
He doesn’t elaborate.
Instead, he smiles again, smoothing over the moment. “Tonight will be a networking opportunity for high-profile business partners. Key investors. Industry leaders. And you . The surprise guest.”
I exhale slowly. This is bigger than I expected.
I nod. “I’m … I’m looking forward to it.”
He gives me one last unreadable look. “I do hope this will lead somewhere.”