NE

from the room. The day had already been

e stilled-because everyone knew the truth. Drexon Moreaux didn't just hold

ime stuttered. His expression gave nothing away-

ge failed me, forcing our gaze

ame came out steadier th

I found him fucking my sister-" I flicked a glance at Melis

test quirk at the corner

p, my bridal silk whis

eaux. Imagine the headlines if yo

tched. Good. He

osal-" I tipped my chin up, all fire

that wasn't my style. A man like Drexon Moreaux wo

moment before her claws dug into

e shrieked, spittle flying. "

g it away, brushing imaginary filth f

ciated, watching satisfaction curl through me as the r

your family's reputation. You sho

ife between her ribs-she knew it, I knew it, and th

ty. Without a word, he gestured to the study door. I followed, tossing a

licked shu

mbre doing traitorous things to my pulse. I steeled myself-now wasn't t

tment," he continued, patronizing as a

arried?" I

row arch

re? Some society darling

on

" I stepped closer, the heat of h

wrist. The contact sizzled up my arm. "Yo

id, tilting my chin up. "Two si

opted children. Becoming their mo

nd that made sane men nervous. "Save

your senior,"

. "Funny, all I hear are excuses instead of reasons." My fingers brushed imaginary lint

ed my movement. A charged silence stretched betw

you like." My voice stayed steady even as m

sting Kellan and Melissa

pmother would have me auctioned off

e sent a thrill through me, though I sc

th his broad back, then matched his stride with what I hoped looked like effortless

the silence like a blade.

her perch on the sofa, the Moreaux matriarc

hoice t

shattered glass. She whirled toward the Moreaux

f mistake?" Her venomous gaze snapped to me. "That sc

irt. "Enough, Tema." Her quiet authority carried

ould challenge Drexon's decision-no one exc

just short of invading Drexon's

ged that lovely merger with the Vanderbilt heiress. Don't throw away decades

aise his voice.

." Each word fell like

rely yo

and I'll have my lawyers freeze ev

ed shut, her face

ered forward, that saccharine smile stil

en anything but rivals. She trailed a f

yes glittered with malice. "Why don't I marry Kel

y body locked. Th

mid-touch, my grip

aning close enough to smell her floral

ure Kellan will love whatever di