Page 14 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

A flicker of guilt burned in her sternum. She was exposing him, giving Julian access to him, letting him use her to win over Devan and thereby work his way into that elite circle of businessmen.

A voice at the back of mind told her this wasn’t what good sisters did.

But what about good brothers?

Did they dangle their sisters in front of predators? No. And so she was left with no choice.

She zipped up the blush-pink dress. Its pleated skirt sat prettily around her knees and the sleeves covered her arms to just below her elbow, warm enough to stave off the mild autumn chill. Lily smoothed her hands over the crystal beaded bands around her waist and admired how the metallic silver threads woven into the fabric caught the light.

It was perfect.

She buckled a pair of strappy, red-soled stiletto sandals on her feet, checked her make-up in the mirror and went downstairs to wait for Julian.

‘Are you going out?’ Devan asked, the moment she reached the main floor.

‘Yes.’

‘With whom?’

‘I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Dev.’

Lily walked away but he followed.

‘I know it isn’t with your friends.’

Lily wanted to laugh. Of course it wasn’t. She was twenty-four, but instead of having nights out with people she liked, she avoided them. She couldn’t tell them about her arranged marriage. Gossip like that would spread like wildfire. And constantly turning down invitations had seen them drying up altogether. So no, she would not be seeing her friends.

‘If you know it’s not with them then you already have a good idea of what I’m going to say.’

‘Lily...’

Another reprimand. She was growing tired of them.

Heaving a sigh, she spun to look at her brother. ‘I’m going on a date, Dev.’

Worry clouded Devan’s eyes and then they quickly flashed with anger. ‘Is this why you suddenly want out so badly? So you can date someone?’

‘I want out because I want my life back. I’m dating someone because I want to.’

‘Dating?’

Panic and disbelief warred in his tone. Lily couldn’t bring herself to care.

Whatever else Dev was about to say was cut off by the sound of a growling engine. Lily hadn’t expected the flare of anticipation in the pit of her stomach that it brought, but there was no denying that she couldn’t wait to see Julian.

* * *

Julian drove through the tree-lined streets of Presidio Heights. The houses were old and beautiful. The blue and gold sunset sky reflected on their walls and windows. The money that flowed through these streets was clear.

This was where he should have bought a home if he’d been strategic. It would have placed him in the ideal location to move among the people with whom he was now trying to conduct business. The thought of being here, however, sent an involuntary shudder through him.

His home was the one decision he’d made with his heart, and the freedom he felt every moment he spent in it was worth any trouble now.

After the childhood he had had, being so monstrously trapped in that dark house, now being able to sleep while looking up at the night sky was something he absolutely would never give up.

He let his mind drift to Lily and how trapped she was. Even if she hadn’t agreed to this ruse he would have found a way to free her, but she didn’t need to know that. No one did. He would teach her how to live for herself, and maybe when she made her own home she would find it to be her sanctuary too.

He turned into the drive of an Edwardian-style mansion and killed the engine of his McLaren Artura. This agreement with Lily was necessary for both of them, and he had zero intention of letting any emotion into the arrangement. Especially after he’d kissed her cheek and burning hot arousal had coursed through him. He had wanted to seize her lips and push her against that ridiculously large cork board. Wanted her to push back against him.

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