Hearts Beyond The Empire

tter than to answer t

ehind her back-not because she felt unsafe, but because she'd learned the

as tall, tailored, and carrying an en

His voice was s

ted. "Who'

ope. "The Empire Consor

in years-not since her father's political career crumbled in a scandal th

sition under the employment of the Vale family. Compens

yes narrowing. "

man said. "And you don't

-

ard the Vale estate just outside the capital. She had no suitcase-just a leather

stone, manicured hedges, and security that said:

elled like old money

than her, where a man stood with his back to her

turning. "You're punctual. That's

d shoulders under a dark tai

she saw

on

s. But there was nothing soft about him. Not his cl

h predatory ease. "I need someone who understands discretio

I'm being toyed wit

is lips curved. Not

ling to be owned," he said. "Now the

her voice low. "Tr

-

estate gardens. The silk sheets felt foreign against her sk

n afraid. But all

just past midnight-withou

od there,

Her body stiffened. She didn't know what

ck employee

n do

er. "But you're not jus

be fall open just enough

really her

rs threading through her

hed into hers,

wasn't romance-it was war. Teeth

her shoulders and

dness. He pushed her down onto the bed, trailing kisses

o stop," h

ite," she whi

e torn, bre

ry. She gasped, arching, nails digging into his back as he drove into

er head, panting against h

e me," s

he

ai

ag

x, sweat, and something dan

-