Tangled in Deceit

ded streets of Manhattan, the din of the c

maybe even Dominic-but she ignored them all. She couldn't think straight

real, had been playing a role all along. Even now, with his explanations about family ob

back at her in the glass, pale and tired, but her eyes burned with a new determination. She woul

phone buzzed again. This time, curiosity got th

known Number "We need to talk. Meet me

ber, but she didn't need to. But there was only one person who

stared at the words, something shifted. If he wanted to explain, to finally

**

whiskey. The amber liquid burned his throat, but it did little to dull the ache in his

not saying the one thing that mattered most was tha

lackwood name wasn't just a legacy-it was a leash. And Lila, with her

would come, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing at t

de as her curiosity took the best of her. Upon getting

or answers or to let Dominic manipulate her

gly slow. Her heart pounded with every ding, her mind racing

she hesitated. Her hand hovered over the handle,

d turn away, th

His tie was loosened, his hair disheveled, and his eyes-those dark,

said, his v

she said firmly, stepping ins

udden breath followed, cl

seated comfortably as she stared

f place as his pupil kep

m as he began his words, his voice turn

e uttered. "Fo

ed to me, Dominic. You let me believe there was something bet

The engagement with Lila is a sham-a deal our families made to secure

ice trembling. "You're okay with giving up your l

c admitted. "Not u

her chest tighten, but she would

for me," she said. "You let her hu

ing. "If I brought you into this world, you'd become a tar

ieve him, to let herself fall into the vulnerability she saw in his e

hone buzzed on the table. He glanced

it?" Oliv

r the screen. Then he discover

tomorrow morning. Be ready to make a

h dropped. "Wha

hand. If I don't publicly commit to the engagement,

You're just going to let her win? You're goi

" he said firmly. "I'm done playing her games.

caught. "What ar

. "I'll end the engagement, walk away from the merge

knock at the door prompting Dominic standing

was a man in a dark suit

our father has requested an urgen

pale. The room suddenly felt smal

n out," he murmured, his hear