Bound by Deception

ears perfecting th

the weight of a hundred watchful eyes pressing down o

hield and a trap. Across the room, Adrian leaned lazily against the

Hale lurked, a serpent coiled and wai

t a party. It wa

walking straigh

cholas said, his vo

not a r

o lead her onto the dance floor. The moment he pulled her close

ulated, controlled, just lik

ell," he murmured, his

laugh. "Did you expect

twitched. "She w

I pas

r n

eath brushing against his ear.

ngers pressing into the small of her bac

ze, unflinchin

unreadable flickering in his eyes. But bef

if I c

ri

holas's grip tightened. For a mo

rp look at his broth

cholas muttered before turning

ct before Adrian took her han

ushing his buttons?" Adrian mu

weetly. "Only w

led. "I like

ous thing to adm

ittle danger

but Adrian Blackwood was just as skil

him even mo

epped away, needing a mome

d the balcony, a firm

tor

lips curled into a smirk. "Car

feigning amusement. "Fro

Watch your back. Nicholas doesn't make mistakes-but if

"And what makes you think

you're still standing here

eeze before walking away, her heels

pushing down the unease

d where trust was a weapon,

reminded that she was

-

at the vanity in her new bedr

of power, and she had held

e information.

rush, her fingers graz

no

s she unfolded the

ifespans. Be caref

as no s

on of who h

n didn't

rway, she found Nicholas standing there,

, she knew- or she

eption had just