Julian saw this, her three years of patience, he

hest with both hands. "Let go of me!" s

tightened, pulling her flush against his side. He turned his head slo

Damian's voice was smooth as silk, yet it fi

h rage and confusion. "What are

eraphina, then back at Julian. "She didn't seem to remember she was your girlfr

ng her to deny it. "Sera... tell him! You love me! You're ju

ily for years was finally catching up. She looked at Julian's pathetic, desperate face. Then she looked a

slid her hand over Damian's on her waist. She leaned into

The proposal was a mistake. I was tired of being your secret.

he'd been slapped. "You..

voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

is face turning ashen. "You've

You should be careful, Julian. Didn't you say the bet was to mak

w she knew. He turned to his uncle, his voice cracking. "Uncle

an, each step measured and terrifyingly slow. He

his left hand, the platinum band glinting under the office lights. "Are you sur

nized it. It was the exact same one Seraphina had pulled out at

s her ring..." J

urmur meant only for his nephew's ears. "And just so we're clear about wh

o

nuclear bomb in the de

h. He looked at Seraphina-the girl he had mocked, used, and discarded-now standing intimately beside the one man in the f

nd fled, slamming the heavy oak door

hat followed

weak, but she refused to sit down. She turned to face

e shaking. "Why would you say that to

is arms over his chest. He looked infuriatingly calm. "Y

. "You knew who I was. You investig

y eyes locking onto hers. "Give

like a physical bl

powerful ally to destroy Julian and your family. I need a wife to deal

ords settle over her. The room was so

ed down, his lips brushing the shell of

aused, his gray eyes locking onto hers with an intensity th

but this time, without Julian's presence

t...

ho looked to be in his early thirties, who radiated p

but looking into those steady, unblinking

oking. He w

rienting tenderness she had no idea what to do with. She had assumed he was experienced. That she was just another notch on a bedpost she

hat night shifted, and she di