His Sister's Fiancé, My Forbidden Protector

of The Vault was not u

evening gown, biting into her exposed skin, but she didn't s

es clinked. Laughter erupted like gunfire. Somewhere in that warm, golden room, Sebastian Vance was announcing his enga

life she no longer felt part of. She brought the crystal tumbler to her lips, draining the last

ic

was sharp.

gap of the wooden decking. She spun arou

nd-large, long-fingered, a heavy gold signet ring on the pinky. The flam

arved from granite. Eyes that were dark, intelligent, and

n Sterl

ss returned, swallowing him whole, leav

a voice said. It was deep, scrapi

compromised her balance. She tugged at her foot. The

that drifted toward her, mixing with the scent of rain and expensive cologne. "If you're planning to jump,

ett snapped, tugging har

oot. The shoe ga

d, arms flailing. She braced for the impact

ever

out of her. She was slammed against a wall of solid muscle and wool. Her ha

look

of Sebastian Vance. This was a dangerous, predatory kind of beauty. His eyes were the color of

me. Of course he did. Everyone knew the girl Sebas

dn't let go of his coat. The heat radiating fro

didn't let go immediately. His hand on her lower back was fir

. It made her reckless. She was tired of being the victim. Tired of being the sad, abandoned girl. S

w, his grip tightening painfully.

h disgust. "Do not make yourself pathetic, Scarlet

Scarlett stumbled back, catching herself on th

ace door

You ou

completely void of emotion. The momentary flicker of intensity was g

pocket and pulled out a card. It was black, heavy, with gold foil letter

urned and walked back into the lig

at the card. Har

ickling. She felt cheap. A charit

near the terrace exit. With a shaking

r pity," she whis

er apartment. The lights were off, which was s

ett flicked the swit

ut the main bre

treetlights filtering through the blinds. She looked ten years older

ropped her purse.

He saw the news. He invoked the 'morality clau

the room spi

g out a tablet. The scr

in Massive Ponzi Scheme Investigation.

ion was a front." Rachel was sobbing now. "They're asking for five mill

her, in handcuffs, being shoved into a

uous vibration. Messages from friends cance

collapsing.

uttered, pacing the small room.

er contacts. Blocked.

d over one name.

ty. He owed her. He had used her fat

di

he background noise was loud-music,

oice was slurred, mocki

the phone. "My dad. They arrested him.

sound. "I heard. Tough break, bab

d you know him. Yo

m.," Vance interrupted. "We can disc

ne wen

e. She felt sick. Beg. Th

down at the street. Rain had start

the stone planter where she had discard

n Sterl

her with cold disdain. But

g on the couch. She looked at the

r. She had to get back to The Vault befo