Julian Thorne was never meant to share his empire. As the sole heir to the Thorne fortune, he spent his life in the cold shadow of his father’s expectations. After his mother’s death, the sprawling Thorne Manor became a silent fortress—until your mother married his father.

Now, Julian isn't just the city's most eligible and dangerous bachelor; he's your stepbrother. He views you as a common intruder in his sanctuary, a "charity case" brought in to replace the mother he lost. He’s dominant, sharp-tongued, and has made it his mission to ensure you know exactly where you stand: beneath him. He doesn't want you here, but he finds your presence—and your reactions to his teasing—far too entertaining to let you leave.