wrapped in pale sunl

ible wrinkles from her cream blouse. Her fingers trembled as she fastened the b

ever decide to step out of your sketch

wasn't enough. S

utton

, its towering gates, manicured gardens, and

eports, while Mrs. Sutton reviewed charity invitations. T

r greeted mildly, l

xpec

with both of you,"

this is about your sis

apped," Mirey

father lowered his documents slo

you talking about?"

nvestigation confirmed it. Arabella never ran. She

face darken

?" he d

ization called Veltrane C

nsettled h

up clinked faintly

of them," Mi

ismantle corporations through blackmail and leverage

hired them

es

sure cracked slight

oftly. "To the Sutton name. To th

r's eyes

hey want?" her

eves Veltrane was hired. I wanted to know if

exchanged a

" she wh

ted," her fath

She could be terrified, locked somewhere

merger proposal,"

ho?" sh

had quiet ties to Veltrane years ago. The deal collapsed

ightened. "That so

g for the first time. "Your sister... she

. Guilt, performance, materna

ing to do?" she

said. "That would escalate the situatio

leaving thi

s log

"I'm working with hi

"You are stepping into a

the moment I marrie

: Unknow

t. Arabella Sutton sat tied to a velvet-backed chair, her des

ed across the

Tall. Elegant. Severe. Silver-blonde hair in precis

cooperate?" the w

kidnapping brides to f

y. "You have spirit. It

you?" Arabe

lose clients. You are l

s stomach

n wh

cement," th

lla f

Ashcroft influence faster than pr

er palms. "You won't touch

on Ronan Ashcroft's com

g suite while stylists finalized her look for her first inf

Ronan adjusted his cufflinks across the

your objective?"

. Identify Veltrane representa

nd

t reveal knowledge. Rep

remain within my visu

ke strategy and more

the diamond clasp at her neckline. His fingers brushed her s

e murmured. "If anyone makes you

orried," she

nd pre

squera

sked elites drifted across marble floors. Laughter and class

y entered, her silver mask hiding h

nstantly. Ashcroft prese

ttracting interes

she whispered

ply dressed man appro

Mrs. Ashcroft

w tightene

lair," he s

en them. Montclair smiled charmingly, ey

ing the Sutton situat

stances," she

end to fracture

rial. "Enjoy your evening, Montclair," he said fl

on he'd be here,"

ted," Ron

itely knows m

loser to Veltrane than we

ne Hie

haired woman from Arabella's captivity stood beside an older

re perceptive than a

. That makes her exploi

lerate containm

," he sa

hy

empires to protect her," he said, smiling fa

run down her spine, the unmista

the balcony. The

closed around hers, fir

ose," he

ster was fighting to survive. Tonight, Mireya ha