Page 104 of Betrayed in the Dark
My stomach recoils as I take in Scarlett’s pale complexion.
I never wanted her to know this bit of public information.
Everyone in our dark corner of the world is well aware of familial connections and long-standing alliances. Unfortunately for me, my future husband is related to one of the most powerful families in the world.
Second only to mine, of course.
“Yes!” She smiles. “Do you know them?”
Scarlett’s lips part, but I speak for her. “We’ve had dealings with them in the past.” Aka, Leo shot and killed the head of the family a couple of months ago after discovering his involvement in Scarlett’s kidnapping. I wave a dismissive hand in the air. “Anyway, I don’t think we’ll have time for a honeymoon, which is fine. I’ll be so busy with moving overseas, and he’ll be busy with work.”
Scarlett’s eyes soften, her lips turning down. “I can’t believe you’re leaving the Alarie Estate. It won’t feel the same without you.”
I roll in my bottom lip, fighting back tears.
I will not cry.
I will not cry.
I will not cry.
“I know,” I manage to get out. “But it’ll be fine. I’ll visit all the time.”
Lie.
Alina glances over her shoulder and then looks back at me. “You know, Eli hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of you all night.”
I scoff. “It’s literally his job.”
Scarlett lifts her shoulder. “I don’t know. He never looked at me that way when he was my bodyguard.”
“That’s because Leo would have severed his dick and made him choke on it if he did.”
The three of us laugh.
“Madeleine,” Cressida utters, her brows drawn together as she glares down at the countertop. “Is there something going on between you and Eli?” She looks up, her eyes boring into mine. “Alastor is my brother, and I won’t—”
“What? No.” I anxiously run my fingers through my hair.Shit.“Alina and Scarlett were just kidding. They didn’t mean—”
“Hey, beautiful.”
I twist to my side, finding a man standing a little too close for comfort. His green eyes roam over my body, not concealing his intentions, while his hand lands on my back, his thumb stroking my bare skin.
Oh, this should be good.
I smile and flutter my eyelashes. “You have five seconds.”
He chuckles. “Five seconds until what?”
“Now, two.”
His brows furrow in confusion. “Until—Ahhhhh!”
“Until I break your arm for touching what isn’t yours!”
The man howls in pain as Eli suddenly pins him to the bar top and forcefully twists his arm behind his back.
“Who the fuck do you think you are putting your hands on her?” Eli roars, his body lined with tension.
