The Dark Bargain

y's

Burrow. The name itself seemed to contaminate everything. It came into contact with poison. The chilling threat fro

other stabilize Damien's business, I accepted this arrangement. Now, though, I was su

za walking onto the balcony. Her green eyes sparkled in

ms my dear brother has left you out here all alone."

assurance as I could. I feel not abandoned. Damien needed

very familiar with Damien's business. And I am aware

I stood in my position. "Eliza, whatever you are att

, kindly. Set the fairy story for the tabloids for last. I unde

And concerning you, Eliza? Are you so fixated on the life o

y see something dark and intensely intimate flickering. Dami

arms and refusing to le

Damien loves neither you nor me. All you are in his game is a pawn. And i

to remain cool. You will have to strive

olite warning. Every person Damien contacts is destroyed

had ever seen. My pulse raced with a mix of fear and wrat

isted, the words flying

arsh and uncompromising. "

m named H

and poured himself a drink. The quiet was tau

d, my voice harder than I felt. "I deserve to k

with a measured calm that just made me more nervous. Lil

d, and I sensed my control erasing. "Is that

flickering across his face. But it disappeared as fast as it first sh

This is a type of business structure

to be used like a pawn in your conflict wit

want the truth? Hargrave is more than just a commercial opponent. He is someone who has gon

own on me. But why? How could you h

e paused. You shouldn'

meant and more vulnerable than I wanted. "I cannot

his hands were on my shoulders, dragging me close, his mouth slamming down

iss was As if I could somehow calm the storm raging inside him. I felt the strain,

tarted. "This is the reason Lily, I advised against getti

er of the kiss, and my head whirle

ing us would somehow protect his secrets. Not on

raising my voice in search of responses. "Damian,

. You are much over your head. And

t to his feet, the door sprang open, an

flickering with a predatory gloss betw

eyes fastened on Hargrave with little veile

e. "I came to just chat with your beautiful wife. She could b

his attitude lethal. "I swe

ly. "I just want to give Lily the truth here. S

n unusual flush of defiance.

d aside and started ahead to meet Hargrave.

n, savoring the authority he possessed at that instant. Damien has not told you, either.

Hargrave; I felt his touch on my arm, att

empire, Damien betrayed his flesh and blood, his own family. Lily is an e

ible sense of betrayal chewing at me. I went to Damien and looked fo

ank, his silence more te

hispers with

and in that instant, the brittle t

riumphant. Lily, you have your respons

another word, leaving me standing the

d back to Damien. You assured me this was sim

reluctant, almost begging

mix of wrath and terror. "I'm not sure which lies-the on

nto my back as I turned and left, t