kin nearly broke. The physical pain was the only thing keep

stantly forced her racing heart to steady. She met his suffocat

ra replied, her voice eerily calm and laced with a subtle

ar; it was seared into his memory from a single, chaotic night. The same perfume that had clung to the skin of the woman

, the side doors of t

anger. He had just received a text that Chantell

mpletely. He walked stra

ndon office. I need to step out for twen

. He looked at his nephew like

" Cedrick's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Or is t

h, but no words came out. He didn't dare talk bac

ateful glare at Isidora, silentl

to the tension between the uncle a

out of Cedrick's l

or. She pushed open the heavy walnut doors at the

melling strongly of mothbal

oor, pressing her hand to her chest.

e a full breath, the bras

ed the door open, pu

ached behind him and pushed the lock. The

d, but her spine hit the

ce, his large hands grabbing both of her wrists

His knee forced its way between he

chest heaving agai

ainst the skin of her neck. He inhaled deeply

rating growl against her collarbone. "You wore this exact scent

ned her face away. "Please show so

ed something vio

wline, gripping her chin with bruising force. "Was sleeping with me part of the plan? Did you think one n

d her hands against his chest, trying to pu

ingers tightening their grip.

age. "You play the frightened mouse, but you crawled into my bed without an invitation.

ic engagement to claw her way into the Garrison fortune. He believed her ugly makeup and dowdy clothes were he

ing laugh. The fear vanished

g onto his without a shred of fear. "I am merely surviving a business arrangement. If I had any

d. The insult hit his e

to punish her for the insult, for the deception. He needed to taste the lie on her lips and remind her-and himself-

nst hers, heavy footsteps pou

hiding, you ugly bitch?!" Kevin's

ndle rattle

bsolute terror. She pressed her hands flat again

e rattling door handle, then do

s face. Instead of stepping back, Cedri