The Bargain

Desdemona Sutton-Knight has spent her life being perfect.
The perfect daughter. The perfect sister. The perfect student.
Her final year at Spearcrest Academy was supposed to be perfect, too. But when her brothers make a mistake that could destroy their futures, Desdemona knows it's her duty to protect them. And to protect them, she needs a scapegoat.
Someone expendable.
Someone ruthless.
Someone willing to do anything—for the right price.

Elias Lennox has nothing to lose.
He has no money, no family, and no illusions about the way power works in Spearcrest.
The rich play dirty—and he’s learned to play dirtier. So when the untouchable golden girl of Spearcrest comes crawling to him for a favour, he sees her for what she is: his key into the world that’s always shut him out.
He offers her a deal: he’ll take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit and in return, she’ll be his girlfriend for the year.

All she has to do is convince everyone they’re madly in love.
All he has to do is remember that she’s just a means to an end.
But the thing about lying? There is always a cost.