a's

ay. "Alpha Stephen said he

even. "Thank you, Emma.

y, smoothing my skirt,

w cold shadows

e tonight," I said, as casually as if

ed and sa

y purse and

lled faintly of perfu

f the display case

her practiced smile. "Miss Graves, welc

picked up a magazine, and flipped through

ntly fell for a younger woman. She's heartbroken and do

n't love her anymore. If that's the case, letting go is probably best. On

ould never happen to you. You're beautiful, eleg

ared on my lips, b

d reflected it sharply, just li

elinda's pho

screen, and her fac

her voice. "It's my boyfriend. He's getting

d. "Go

, her voice turning

une tonight. I can't walk away now... I know, I know, it

op that. I have a customer w

lushed, her eyes glowing with that

, please take a look at these. I picked the ones t

urse,"

ce and confidence, her charm

seems quite at

en very busy lately, and so ha

of time together soon," I sai

paid, a

cture their faces

s looking forw

s mid

he house came from

sy black heels by the entryway. They were the same

ruit from the fridge, arranged it ne

on the bed

Stephen's v

r, just knocke

e. Can it wait

rifted through the

ouseke

s sti

eminding me to c

proached. Th

and black-framed glasses, irr

topped cold. "Aria? Wh

Didn't you say we should start tr

mile

tly. "Not in the mood? Or a

sounded

t of the shadows w

what's tak

th a calm smile. "Hello, s

turned t

ent pale. "You'r

ly. "And the man you just c

y wrist and hisse

slammed b

ed this?"

alm as ever. "Is

s sharp eno

letting her wear my robe and sleep in my bed.

een visiting her store. You

your credit card to bo

ice low. "So you plann

to see the ending w

ng. "Stephen, do you remember w

with tears, promising, "If I ever stop

bringing his mistress i

ia, is this a game to you? Do yo

said quietly. "Let's

ged inside me, s

eject you, Stephen Green of Stoneheart Pack. You're no long

ned, pressing

eady, but it carri

acted; he could feel t

st tightened, and each b

eins like a storm co

over too, chokin

n't you dare.

eamed from

, clutching her an

ggered towa

s though my smile stayed cruel. "Say the wor

en whispered, "I, Stephen Gr

ond s

Belinda into his arms, an

the sound low and steady

was final

rs I'd tricked Stephen into signing a month earlier-do

urse. He just signed, tru

s scandal would be a

finall