her forward by the lower part of her back before the

ood. Rain tapped softly against the tall glass windows t

Her silk dress felt smooth against her skin, but her chest felt tight,

called out from behin

d pen, signed a document, then placed it inside a leather folder. When

, stepping beside Pearl with a forced smile. "You

oom. He set his pen down with a small click. "I care about punctuality. Especially when y

. "That... that was just a small problem with the

straight to Pearl's face. "Well? Aren't you going to complain about the cold, Vivi

otes in her binder. 'Vivian never shows fear. She shows dis

l," Pearl said, keeping her voice calm and dry.

but Raphael's eyes narrowed slightly. A s

oth voice purred fr

liquor in one hand. He wore a black silk shirt open at the neck, his dark

strong smell of expensive cologne and bourbon filled her nose. "No tantrums? No throw

to stay where she was, looking straight i

who love hearing themselves talk," Pearl said

light from the chandelier. He took a slow sip from his glass,

er at Raphael. "She's got more attitude tonight. Usually, she ju

desk and buttoning his suit jacket. "Sit down, Vivian. We have b

heels sinking into the thick rug. As she sat d

ce. He hadn't said a single word since she entered. His long legs were crossed at th

one like Raphael. He wasn't trying to get under her skin like Dominic. He was watchi

stay flat on her lap and looked ba

y, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

king to the middle of the room. He looked down at Pearl, his eyes co

ice calm. "I know

you're sitting there like you're at a tea party. You're marrying all three of us. The Lin family debt will be taken

s gripping the velvet of the armrest under

"Because if you step out of line even once, sweetie, if you try to run away like you did la

't say a word to defend her. He just

said, looking Dominic right in

ly enjoying the show. "I think I m

ack toward his desk. "Take Mr. and Mrs. Lin to the gue

bling slightly. "The traditional agreement said she st

o," Raphael said without looking back. "Unless you'd

's arm and hurried out through the heavy oak doors without look

room became heavy

a small table. "Well, I'm going to bed. Try not to kill each other befor

d a painting. He gave Pearl one last cold look before walkin

etending to be Vivian. She covered her face with her rough hands, her body shaking f

rty-two seconds," a quiet vo

ed, her head

etely forgott

alked across the rug and stopped a few feet away from her. The pale l

red, her heart dropp

trouser pockets. He didn't look angry or amused. He

ce barely above a whisper, but his words hit Pearl like a slap. "She also ha

sat

e closer, his gray

ything like the wo