SINFUL DEAL

ing the cold weight of it against her skin. It was expensi

rse. Nothing about thi

she had to pr

carried himself-calm, powerful, unreadable-was infuriating. Like this was just another busines

oothly, placing a hand a

fened at t

ppropriate, but it was a reminder-

Mrs. B

convince the world that

exclusive venues-an opulent ballroom filled with chande

th before her downfall, people who had turned their

d

were watc

Not as the woman whose c

ian Blackw

htened slightly as they steppe

en as the weight of the m

sn't he

e months, she had to m

a, da

-profile socialite and one of Damian's oldest family fri

fe she had been born into. And if Elena wasn't mistaken,

amian Blackwood," Victoria mused,

head-on. "I wouldn'

a quiet, amused

k deepened. "No

darling? I have to admit, I never thought I'

ble, but his grip on Elena's waist t

ht person, it makes se

re effortles

rfec

a treacherous little jump

clearly entertained. "We

ass, her eyes nev

ng about it, as if she was

ybe sh

orld, appearances

destroy the illusion th

onversations, meaningless ple

ed her rol

saw Sara

o had ruined

had nearly d

at something her date had said. She looked untouched by the chaos she had cause

stomach

s her world, after all-but knowing it and

the shift in

as quiet. "

wed hard.

ers across the room

ession d

softer now, but firm.

e had noticed. H

elf to breathe.

moment. Then, before she could

eyes snapping to

fingers to his

ief. But

ke the entir

every set of ey

ing Sa

breath

ctly what Da

de a statement

n't just some wo

was

rter-wanted to challenge that, th

home wa

ing out the window, trying not to

t kiss h

a perfo

ad t

ll race? Why did her skin stil

, was completely calm. As

ion bubbling in her chest.

ok at her. "

urled into fi

to survive in this world, Elena,

her gaze, his

just play

voice lower now,

own

heart

understood what sh

aring at the man she had

had only scratc

ian Bla

dangerous than she