His Rivals virgin Bride

One: The

le didn

ed in white satin gloves as the doors of the Alari estate's private su

sn't th

't the

Dante was suppos

acked in the hearth. Floor-to-ceiling windows threw long shadows over the silk

the armchair wa

p, slow and assessing, one leg crossed over the other, a glass o

, Mrs.

tuttered. S

te," she said,

"I'm the one you

roat c

he razor cut of his jaw, the scar under his eye s

a A

r. The exile. The wo

spered, barely breathin

tching. He walked toward her, each step echoin

mistakes," h

scent of scotch and spice clung to him like heat.

s morning. Your father agree

was marrying Dante. This

- slow, shar

as about leverage. And

r chest. "This can't b

er signed for you. As per Alari custom. You were promised

the floor had drop

would

id with infuriating calm. "But he

darkene

he door, but his hand cau

fr

uietly. "You don't

give. His touch was everything else a

murmured. "Not just on paper

hin tilted, rage warrin

broke on the edge of fury. "You think I'll be

ame one he'd trapped - and pressed a kiss to the insid

k," he murmur

Her breath came in

he droppe

id, already turning away

inked.

dy. Desperate. I want you to crawl to me whe

shut the door, leaving her standing in her wedding g

ose and fel

sts tr

e wedding procession, she felt

had just b

nged to the wron