attering echoed throu

ia f

mething had broken-and i

turned the corner into the drawing room, Julian stood with his back to her, f

ed?" she ask

His expression was

t," he said. "Your

bite in his voice.

terms without you in the room. Sai

ising. "So I'm being punished f

, not make him want to bu

ation was

r. "You think I

re doing anymore," Julian said, voice low

chest t

u trusted me

er. "I trusted you until I realized you w

ow what? You cast me aside

chin. "No, Amelia. Now I make sure

, eyes flashing.

es darkened

ctoria entered the room li

sharply. "This tant

o his mother, j

sle was weak from the beginning. You let your personal intere

respond. He

predictable. Men are simple. Use that knowle

etting the venom slid

family," she said to Victoria. "Bu

eyes. "Darling, that's exactly h

led on the leather couch, a half-read b

at happened. He

is thigh brushing hers, his energy calm and c

ch longer I can stay

still here because part of you wa

at him. "Ag

st all

roblem, isn't it? I didn't come her

r fully. "No, Amelia

this time, but deliberate. Slow. Tasting ev

ssed h

gers curled into his s

od in the

at followed cracke

head toward his brother and said,

Amelia's swollen lips, her flushed ski

he

, he didn't s

changed

an usual-clinical. Calculating. There were whispers among

ptop and found half her access

one disappeared and c

cutting

ed to i

ulian," he said one evening, their v

napped. "Because yo

gry at her for somethi

this is abo

n," Leo growled. "

his isn't about you getting the girl. Th

hind the column, her he

called into Victor

ass of wine in her hand, the city lights

ion," Victoria said calmly. "J

," Amelia said. "An

d, one brow ra

r arms. "What do

settlement and a contract that keeps your mouth shut

if I

s all knives. "Then

t flinch. "I

s narrowed. "T

Julian came

dn't

rt racing. "Wha

inside, calm

kind of man I am," he said.

ked up a s

forgive b

ad. "This isn't

his body. "Isn't it? You let me open you. I let

her eyes. "I

dn't st

. "And you didn'

head. "No. I

she let him. Because part of her wanted to feel p

d back, his v

he whispered. "Then don't be su

oom as silent

at the door for

onger surviv

s beco