His Sister's Fiancé, My Forbidden Protector
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of The Vault was not u
evening gown, biting into her exposed skin, but she didn't s
es clinked. Laughter erupted like gunfire. Somewhere in that warm, golden room, Sebastian Vance was announcing his enga
life she no longer felt part of. She brought the crystal tumbler to her lips, draining the last
ic
was sharp.
gap of the wooden decking. She spun arou
nd-large, long-fingered, a heavy gold signet ring on the pinky. The flam
arved from granite. Eyes that were dark, intelligent, and
n Sterl
ss returned, swallowing him whole, leav
a voice said. It was deep, scrapi
compromised her balance. She tugged at her foot. The
that drifted toward her, mixing with the scent of rain and expensive cologne. "If you're planning to jump,
ett snapped, tugging har
oot. The shoe ga
d, arms flailing. She braced for the impact
ever
out of her. She was slammed against a wall of solid muscle and wool. Her ha
look
of Sebastian Vance. This was a dangerous, predatory kind of beauty. His eyes were the color of
me. Of course he did. Everyone knew the girl Sebas
dn't let go of his coat. The heat radiating fro
didn't let go immediately. His hand on her lower back was fir
. It made her reckless. She was tired of being the victim. Tired of being the sad, abandoned girl. S
w, his grip tightening painfully.
h disgust. "Do not make yourself pathetic, Scarlet
Scarlett stumbled back, catching herself on th
ace door
You ou
completely void of emotion. The momentary flicker of intensity was g
pocket and pulled out a card. It was black, heavy, with gold foil letter
urned and walked back into the lig
at the card. Har
ickling. She felt cheap. A charit
near the terrace exit. With a shaking
r pity," she whis
er apartment. The lights were off, which was s
ett flicked the swit
ut the main bre
treetlights filtering through the blinds. She looked ten years older
ropped her purse.
He saw the news. He invoked the 'morality clau
the room spi
g out a tablet. The scr
in Massive Ponzi Scheme Investigation.
ion was a front." Rachel was sobbing now. "They're asking for five mill
her, in handcuffs, being shoved into a
uous vibration. Messages from friends cance
collapsing.
uttered, pacing the small room.
er contacts. Blocked.
d over one name.
ty. He owed her. He had used her fat
di
he background noise was loud-music,
oice was slurred, mocki
the phone. "My dad. They arrested him.
sound. "I heard. Tough break, bab
d you know him. Yo
m.," Vance interrupted. "We can disc
ne wen
e. She felt sick. Beg. Th
down at the street. Rain had start
the stone planter where she had discard
n Sterl
her with cold disdain. But
g on the couch. She looked at the
r. She had to get back to The Vault befo