Page 30 of Protecting Lanie

Her emerald gown shimmered under the soft lighting, the thin silk molding to her curves in a way that made her skin heat under Archer’s gaze. The man hadn’t let her out of his sight since they’d arrived, his possessiveness simmering just below the surface.

And part of her liked it.

She felt his hand at the small of her back, guiding her through the room like heownedher, and the way her body responded told her that maybe she wanted him to. But she couldn’t think about that now.

Because she’d just seen him. Lanie’s stomach lurched. Vinnie. He was here.

He stood near the edge of the room, half in the shadows, watching her. His mask obscured most of his face, but she didn’t need to see it to know.

The way he held himself. The way he leaned casually against a marble pillar, completely at ease, like he belonged here.

Like he wasn’t a monster.

Her fingers clenched into fists. She couldn’t fall apart now. Not in front of Archer. Not when she was supposed to be proving to herself that she was stronger than this.

Lanie swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep moving. She couldfeelArcher’s gaze on her, assessing, measuring. He knew something was wrong, but he hadn’t called her on it. Yet.

"Champagne?" A waiter appeared beside them, balancing a tray of crystal flutes.

Lanie nodded quickly, grabbing a glass. She took a sip, hoping the cool liquid would calm the rising panic in her chest.

It didn’t.

"Talk to me, little one."

Her breath caught at Archer’s deep murmur, his voice a quiet command against her ear.

She turned slightly, meeting his gaze through the delicate lace of her mask. "I’m fine," she lied.

His jaw flexed. “Don’t lie to me. From this point forward, if you lie to me, there will be consequences.”

She hated lying to him, but there was a part of her that now wanted to lie to him so she could experience those consequences. She wanted to experience being put over Archer’s knee, having those powerful hands deliver his discipline. She wanted to know someone cared enough about her to discipline her. But more than that, she wanted to know what it felt like to have Archer drive his cock into her so that she screamed as she came. The thought made her whole body tremble.

But if she told him now—if she let even a hint of fear slip past her lips—he would tear through this room and rip Vinnie apart. And that was exactly what Vinnie wanted. For her to make a scene. Vinnie would think he was still in control—only he wasn’t.

Archer studied her for a long moment, the intensity of his stare making the butterflies in her belly that had been fluttering around take flight. Finally, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers lingered, trailing down the delicate column of her throat before settling at the curve of her jaw.

"You’re lying," he murmured.

Her breath hitched. "I’m fine," she repeated, more firmly this time.

Archer’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening ever so slightly as he raised an eyebrow. "Another lie. That’s five when we get home. I suppose you’ll tell me when you’re ready," he said. "But understand this, little one—nothing happens to you tonight. Nothing."

A shiver rolled through her. Before she could respond, a familiar chime buzzed from her clutch. Her stomach dropped.

Slowly, her fingers curled around her phone. She cast Archer a quick glance, then turned slightly away, just enough to shield the screen as she unlocked it.

A new message. No number. Just two words.

Leave. Now.

Lanie’s throat tightened. Her hands shook. Then another message appeared.

Or else.

A wave of nausea hit her. She felt it—the sharp stab of helplessness creeping up her spine, wrapping tight around her throat like a vice.

No. Not again.

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