eous. It swallowed the alc

he unmistakable, terrifying crack of gunfire, instantly followed by the

rian yanked her hard against his chest. His muscular body felt like an impenetrab

nded, his gravelly whisper

vely gripping the expensive fabric of his tuxedo jacket. Her heart beat err

ice chillingly calm amidst th

the velvet curtain of the alcove ripped open. A shadowy figure stepped into the d

t of Isabella. He fired a concealed weapon he had pulled from his jacket. The deafening blas

tightened. He dragged her backward, deep into the rec

and a hidden door seamlessly groaned open, revealing a pitch-black staircase leading down. "The men attacking this gala belong to a powerful criminal syndi

ispered fiercely, tears of confusion and betrayal pr

ent, underground passage. He stepped inside behind her, pulling the heavy hidden door shut. The sounds of the screaming crowd above

sical blow. She stumbled on the stone ste

fury. "You bought my life, forced me into a marriage contrac

pletely cornered her against the damp stone wall. He reached out, his warm, strong

g lips with a sudden, suffocating intensity. "But I am also the only man alive who can kee

ated him for what he had done, yet looking into his dark, possessive eyes, she knew she h

ispered, her defiance melti

k that made her heart race fo

ovocatively over her lower lip, "we make them