Hearts Beyond The Empire

t the Vale estate, Selene Var

ed games that didn

his world wan

er independence, every night she returned to

bruises-t

hunger that

-

nner was arranged. Not fo

e read, slid unde

own-backless, slit high enough to leave very little to

k velvet and gold. At its center: a deli

round her throat

-

es, wine that tasted like velvet sin. Powerful people sat w

ad of the tab

his arm. "Everyone here already knows

m

tonight, they

se. "Don't ma

-

uendo. Men eyed her like a commodity;

ith wit, confidence, and grace. Damon didn't speak much. He didn't need to.

t, the true

-

ed Alaric Roth, a silver-haired industrialist wi

ck of cards, matte bla

Truths or dares. But the co

a brow. "Def

lar tightened. A belt swung. A

s jaw

him. "Are you w

l let someone else

. "Then pl

-

round wa

at's your grea

"Men who think

ter.

nd round

clothing and wear a blindfo

d let it fall. She sat again in nothing but her heels, a sheer b

tened on his wine gl

s eyes

-

lene was blindfolded, b

card wa

er," som

n st

it," he s

brushing her shoulders. Down

thighs, slowly, possessively, while the other

e to see, but able to feel ever

" he growled

" she w

ud

ning as his fingers slid

or her breathing and the obsc

in again. "You just made eve

e said, shivering.

-

one, he dragged her into the

he hissed, pressing her

r w

e jealous in

egs around his wa

hong in one motion, and took her witho

were muffled by his hand as he fucked her like he hate

me, she screame

like it wa

-

r-shirt unbuttoned, bel

think this

bruised and smiling.

and kissed her-br

see who su