tique furniture and ancestral portraits. She chose a solitar

a delicate, gold-rimmed teacup. She acknowledged Amelia's presence with a slig

d by the sharp click-clack of

clinging to his arm li

om instantly drop

roze mid-air. Her eyes, sharp and unfor

fawn, hid behind Hunter's formidable fra

an

ucer. Hot tea sloshed over the rim, scalding

he head butler. "James. Why is security allowing trash to

g with tears. She tightened her grip on

ween his mother and Audra. "She's with me, Mother,"

presence despite her slender frame. "Have you lost your mind, Hunter? This family

t's enough," he bit out, his voice

eyes sweeping the room to ensure everyone, includin

my child. I have a re

er own teacup, felt her hand jerk. Hot liquid spilled onto he

ate, tearing his own mother to shreds for another woman. Any lingering, foolish hope that

ed. "Her child?" she scoffed. "How do you know it's yours

out a choked sob and sagged against Hunte

took. Hunter's

a low, dangerous growl, "insul

n accusatory glare, filled with warning. It was her fault. She must have

smile spread across her lips. It was a smile

k of porcelain against wood was the only sound she made. Then, sh

ete and utter indifference to the drama, to him, stoked the fire of his rage