PTE

o cracked. He masked it in front of the crowd, but tre

ass lined his table. His mind spun – not from the alcohol, but

nown and realized what kind of empire she carried in her blood, he would've treated her diffe

uldn't have her, then ruining her would taste j

he had believed the child was his, bending over backwards to keep her close. Only to discover the truth: the baby was

rved him hollow. And now, staring into the amber

come his ne

, he wouldn't

d on the counter. A single

lay some games wi

urved into a

just found

**

a blade. The air was too thick, too heavy – choking Lisa

able, the sharp sound echoing. Her gre

weak little doll who needs her powerful husband to swoop in and save her? Because that's

eadable. "I protect my name", he said, voice cli

ht, but rage on

f the hall, words tumb

lf, that I'm nothing more than a spoiled brat. Do you know how hard I've worked to prove

between them. "You think they see weakness?' His tone was low, almost

rength – that's control. You control everything, everyone, like we're all ju

his jaw tightening. He leaned down, close

learn the difference between pride and

se the truth was, for a split second out there, when he shielded her, when he threatened Dane,

es are watching. The day you forget that will be the da

r made ready

er wavering into something sharper, colder

you going

ugh for his rage to lac

Lisa standing alone, torn between fury and the unspoken drea

**

he paced the room like a caged animal, her chest tight,

presence heavy, eyes dark as sin. He r

d. "Where are y

r?" his tone w

er? I stayed up waiting for you! You ignored every call, every

't with

perfume – you don't wear

rd her "So...you know my scent?" Her knees weakened a

r, irritation flashing across h

to leave d

his wrist. The moment she touched him, the air thi

ce trembling but fierce. "I know this is a co

othing to me", he said. "That picture? Business. Since then, I've ha

e knew she had seen

heart searing through her. His breath fanned across

ing to her parted mouth, "did it make you

arted, anticipation trembling through her – wa

istance, his mouth shifted,

her. "I won't touch you until you beg for

breath caught in her throat. And