de's

to be struck by the sight before me. It was Vlad Montgomery, my mother's

d with a hint of irritation, still unsettled by

graving my features into his memory. I frowned in

aked, lit

m, searching for something to cover myself with. But he was q

lf, burying my face between my knees

ed-you're still wea

y and glared at him. Two pieces? The audacity! Who did he think

d. If you would, please. This is b

ith unwavering seriousness, "I

led-his sudden change of subj

ha

broad, imposing back now facing me. Oh, God...

r question. Or

twinge in my neck. "No, I didn't forget

d him, leaving me to wrestle with my own em

ed my hair. I slipped into a striped T-shirt and a short black skirt, letting

-

have no interest in wasting my

my mother was completely uncalled for. He was hurting her feeli

e you seriou

eas and the warning glances from Mary, urging me to st

ho is supposed to be your wife is h

his gaze fixed on his plate,

how it is,

This wasn't just about defending my mother-it was also about sile

ed, her voice gentle. "He's busy, and his work

fe! You have every right to demand his time and hold him accountable for neglecting

me jump slightly. The sound of his steady, angry br

pping, little o

as if to prove his words didn't affect me, I reached for a black

you had boundari

ispered urgently, "That's enoug

ore Vlad abruptly stood, radiating unmistakable irritation. I refused t

ne, I heard your obnoxiou

s. My mother hurriedly grabbed a cloth napkin, dabbing at my mouth

ai

ping my focus back to Vlad, who was watching

t got you

realizing he was only teasi

t to tell you. I found out she fears you when you're angry... or when she knows

se. Then, without warning, he stepped toward me, stopping right at m

e, little one. You don'

a sharp wave of tension through me. I

lk to her. You're running la

ly, walking past him before

solde. L

ises blazed with fury, deep and consuming, like the infernos of hell. I walk

d? That was incredibly

arie, my patience wearing thin as sh

one of our business, is it? Whatever happens between him and

my dream suddenly flashed through my m

ic dream this

ering her mouth

red, her voice trembling with a mix of sho

of my words, I shoo

ith someone else-someone

d in to whisper, "You're touch-starved, Isol

could stop myself, the image of my mother's fian

e, M

e, she gave me a light smac

enough of Londo

aking my hea

ing. I'm not what

as if about to pity me.

guy and marry him in

up, exas

o time fo

ide at a slow pace. Just as I reached the grand h

r you, Isolde. Wh

a hint of worry as

h Marie. I just de

ch of regret, I

ant to apologize. My emotions got the best of

soft gasp befo

at are you saying? That's ju

in resi

. but still, I'

a deep, commanding voice r

unwavering authority