e pressed a blue gel ice pack hard against her swollen righ

the marble counter, lit up. A loud

as Joy Jacobs. She tapped the green ac

ucked in a sharp breath as

ed instantly, her voice sharp thr

her bruised skin. She recounted the entire

of pure rage exploded

amed. "I swear to God, Camelia

like garbage because he actually believes you're just a gold-digger af

of the penthous

confidential files in the stud

topped dead at the

itchen, echoing off the high ceilings. Every

aw locked. His face tur

area. The air around him f

ge hand snatched the phone r

he red end-call button. Joy

he hard stone counter. The glass scre

ly are you malicious," Duke spat, "but you also s

raight up into his furious eyes. "She is my

d, cutting her off. "You a

e going to stand beside Christabel's bed, and

voice was ice-cold. "I

y single word. "I d

n on the marble island. The wa

bared. "She is too weak to stand, let alone throw

s way out of Camelia's throat.

hread of Duke's control. He reached across t

into her bicep. "Do not t

mpenetrable calm. "If my presence is so offensive, Duke," she said, her voice dropping to a quiet,

. His grip on her arm loosene

e shoved her arm away. "Nice try. You w

he study, grabbed a manila folder off th

alone in the kitchen, slowly rubbing the red,