isle was back inside the private study of Carlisle Manor, a sp

nfirmed. The bride will arrive

his thumb and forefinger, the cool stone a stark contrast to the heat of his frustration. For

he asked, his voice

y footage from that night was corrupted, sir. A... convenient malfunction. Al

apped up, his eyes, the color of a stormy

t wasn't a chance encounter. It was a setup. A carefully orchestrated trap by the Snyders to ens

t of peace he'd felt, the hope that he'd found

piece of their scheme. A woman willing to sell her

endant carefully on his desk, as if it were evidence in a trial. "I

iveway of the Carlisle estate. To Alaina, it looked less like a hom

e, greeted her at the door. His words were polite, but his eyes were col

his tone leaving no room for argument. "He will not

through vast, silent halls, her footsteps echoing on the marble floors. Th

open. "Your room, madam." He gestured for her to enter, and then, without another word, he pulled

arkness. The heavy velvet curtains were d

that contained all her worldly possessions. And then she smel

ed over her. This

ing for the doorknob, but it wo

to leave

rified scream as a tall, broad-shouldered figure rose from an armchair in

om, suffocating her. She scrambled backward, her hands fl

ing around her wrist like a manacle. The strength in his grip was

ders sent," he sneered, his

ll, searching for anything, a weapon, an escape. Her fingers bru

ad burst to life, flooding the room

t the sudden brightnes

agged scars ravaged the left side, starting from his temple, cutting across his cheek, and disappearing beneath his c

her lungs turned to ice. The ru

el, humorless smile twisted his lips, making

d panic. The disfigured heir... the

ed out the name, a choked whisper