her from a light, restless sleep. It was just befo

desire evident against her back. His lips

r. The sensation was revolting,

orce than she intended. She scrambled to the edge

ight. His face was a mask of confusi

e tight. She wrapped her arms around herself, t

hing hers after he had been with Elyssa made her want

ftening into one of concern. "Oh, honey.

sn't just concerned; he was assessing. Was she really sick, or was this somet

stand. The screen lit up his face. He thought she was looking

from

ust hours ago while Gloria was at her mission briefing. Elyssa

ect, vicious

es, not at the betrayal, but at Elyssa's recklessness. He q

t to do that.

he suddenly went still. He shoved the phone under hi

he asked, his voice

weak smile. "Y

row night." Gloria's stomach tightened. Elyssa would be there, of course. The thought was repulsive,

he lavish company gala

arby table. "You look exhausted. But your

lebrating Darwin's latest business triumphs. He hadn't left her side all evening, hi

uple," someone else whi

. She felt like a ghost at her own party, watching a play where

crowd, a sea of tuxedos and even

sa D

t any red dress. It was the custom-made Valentino Darwin had bought for Gloria f

m, a spark of triumph in them. She gl

eetness. She deliberately let her gaze drift to Darwin. "Darwin was just telling

ke, a piece of intimate

e red silk. "Darwin has such impeccable taste, doesn't he?

hard to breathe. The room seemed to tilt, the c

the pain. She looked at Elyssa, a slow, con

ngerously calm. "But you should know, a mistress sh

stunned fury. Her face paled, then flushed a blotchy red. S

Darwin found so captivat

came up. The sharp sting of a slap ech

o the side. For a split

training

oved with practiced speed. The crack of her palm connec

silent. The music stopp

and flying to her face, a lo

going o

e pushed through the crowd, his face a thunderous mask. He