Torn Between Us

ived with a

uldn't, not after Leo. Not after what they shared in the dark. It hadn't gone further tha

ly, achin

, there was still Julian-watching, calculating, waiting for her next move.

dining room, the atmosphere

lian was to her right, reading through his phone, immaculate in a charcoal suit. Leo leaned bac

nce drew three

he said, trying t

ng a tight, unreadable smile. Only Leo met her g

nally said. "We have

he tension in the room was so thick it could ha

week," Julian began. "They're old money, volatile, and easily swayed b

inked. "E

ur profile-Hawthorne's new sustainability advisor. You'll speak when I cue you,

ed. "So I'm

ow so only she could hear. "You're the difference betwee

you used someone," Leo mut

to the business, Leo, maybe you'd have a seat at th

f I'm being paraded like a pawn, I'd at

inally, her voice cutting through the room.

g more than th

" Amelia asked. "This isn't a

the one who walks away with blood

e room without

walked through the garden until she found herself again b

round herself, trying

Leo's bruised tenderness, and Victoria's pi

he was beginn

ou," came L

flinch. "

he way it sinks its teeth in you

what about you? Y

m worse. Because I'll burn this place dow

es locke

sed me,"

uldn't

u regr

said. "

n't know how to. Her silence

, the air between

he whispered. "But I don

reaching for her hand.

thing in his eyes flickered-

ulian knocked

d it, wary,

" he sai

w wh

eo kiss

fened. "

if I want to win you ba

ous and intimate. No

on't o

No. But you want to belong to someone.

k, heart hammering

aid. "I'm

d walked away, le

behind him and presse

ith fire, the other with ice. And she was drowning so

a Holdings meeting, Amelia

er beside Julian, his hand at her l

was all charm and greed. He greeted Julian wa

t?" he asked, s

ll be advising on the partn

ngly. "She's one of o

said he heard a diffe

countered questions, built rapport, and diffused

e time-not just watching her performance, but

deal was softened, not close

urmured as they stepp

to lecture me on b

"No. I like seein

voice sharp. "Even i

darkly. "Esp

Amelia found herse

tate-the highest point, the furth

was alre

urse

running,

trying to

understood that mo

Using you to distract Carlisle, t

you'r

nce was an

te Julian so m

ok everything that was mine and smiled while doi

d m

w tight. "You were ne

ant me to

you to b

rt tangled in truths she

king me choos

he said. "B

hey both knew