ora

rained pleasantries and barely-concealed ch

The mask of the sweet, wronged woman was

ce low and venomous. "Even if he helps you, y

e hard. Then, with a theatrical gasp, she stum

eked. "My baby!

e, and I was too stunned by th

ment, drawn by her cry. He saw Sienna crumpled on the f

iding toward me. "You vic

rd, his hand ra

e to move. I couldn't even li

made contact, a powerful arm

front of me, his broad bac

ld as ice. "Are you planning to

for Evander's. "Let go of me! This is my famil

n winced in pain. "Striking your wife in public? Is

silent, everyone stunned

if touching something filthy. He pulled out a han

his mouth. "As for the young lady-if she's in such distress, perhaps I should call my private

nna's face went pale. Pure

If a doctor actually came, the

ut his phone, pr

she stammered, tugging at Julian's sleeve. "I

rce wa

He took my hand, his grip firm and steady.

unned guests and out of

o had just defended me, a tangle of gratitude and suspicion swirling

air hit me. I pulled my

I said, my

k in his voice. "Thank me? I just didn't want any scene at a family gathering to

d his car, leaving me alon

ed from one storm into the eye of an even bigger, more dangerous hurrican

nsibility for that night. Maybe he was just using me to str

dening, unsolvable puzzle, as I burst