g estate. A Gothic-style manor, all stone and shadow, loomed against the settin

e larger than the entire ground floor of her Long Island h

icked shut behind him, the sound of

he announced, his tone lea

pping," Chloe

his lips as he walked to a minibar and poured a glass o

ble in front of her, along

she asked, her

id dismissively.

d. She recognized the pill. It wasn't a vitam

as nothing more than a thing. A tool to soothe his demons, to be

She threw the bottl

kened. "This is n

p her jaw. With his other hand, he picked up one

ng, but his strength was overwhelming. S

to touch her lips, the bedroom doo

en! S

itative voice roar

ne of silver hair, strode in, followed by

going rigid. He insti

ice tight with a complex mix

to Chloe's side, his eyes filled with genuine con

as she sank back against the s

n his eyes vanished, replaced by the sharp, predatory

bas

uck his son across the face with

red welt already forming on his cheek

. fiancée?" Arthur's voice wa

anc

with the pin pulled. Chloe and Damie

belief to incredulous fury. "Father,

oe, his tone softening once more. "Miss Chloe Beaumont, I am so sorr

The ones who had taken her mot

aved my mother?" Chloe asked

dear old friend. It is my dut

son. "Apologize. Apologize to Miss B

ed in his cheek. Under his father's unwavering c

am...

ely overturned in the space of a few minutes. Chl

rently, a

d's name w