Bound by Deception

tly as she closed the door to

xpression neutral as she walked down the lon

wood had ties

oincidence. I

her family-it all led back to Nicholas in some way. And if that was tru

reason her family

ll ran dow

, to take him down before he could do the same to h

was pe

movements calm, measured. If Nicholas suspected anyt

mal. Needed to find s

d the main foyer,

ke a woman w

mposure slipping for only a second

gainst the doorframe, w

that held a dangerous glint-he was different from N

ly, though she already had a feeli

ents lazy, like he had all the tim

wisted. Nicho

ghtly. "I didn't realize I was marri

"Oh, sweetheart,

ng. "Tell me, Evelyn-why do I get the feeling

kept her expression cool. "

"Maybe. Or maybe you're just

could respond, a familiar

" Nichol

the base of the staircase, his gaze locked

, big brother. Just getting

elyn, his expression unreadable

And here I was, thinking we'd

ned. "Don't you have

, fine. I'll play nice-for now." He glanced at Evel

n walked away, she couldn't shake the feel

was dangerous i

ust gained an

-

ppeared down the hall,

dable, but there was som

way fro

row. "Your own brothe

his presence suffocating.

why do I get the feeling

f second, Evelyn saw something flicker

he murmured, his voice da

efused to let him see how mu

led sweetly. "Of

e for a moment longer

fting back to cold indifference. "

"Oh? You didn't strike

ut appearan

hat exactly am I supposed to

ed. "Just don'

If only you knew, Nicholas. You'

rand ballroom of an elite social event,

ng to belong in a world of wealth and po

she had

ers followed. People watched t

rip firm but not affectionate. To outsiders, they

lyn kne

icking against the polished floor. She was striking-h

ut there was an edge to it. "I see

twitched sligh

tly. Victoria Hale. The woman rum

ssessing her with a sharp smile. "An

unshaken. "That's

sigh, but Victoria only

most predatory. "I wonder, though-

closer, tilting her head just enough

g as I

faltered for a fr

velyn, amusement flas

, Evelyn knew she

she couldn't shake the feeli

Adrian across the room, his knowing

asn't just w

s wai

to make

ame to tr