Page 23 of Vicious Seduction

I waited to respond until her eyes returned to mine. “Baby, you tell me I’m the only one to see you in them, and I’ll buy you the whole goddamn store.”

“I don’t want a store.”

“And I don’t want you to go near him.”

Her teeth tugged against her bottom lip. “I have to go now.”

I allowed her to slip away, a frosty chill lancing through my chest.

Lina’s previously confident strides were now measured and cumbersome as if burdened by the weight of the world. Something or someone had a hold on her with a death grip. Figuring out exactly what had her in its clutches would take time, which was in low supply between my plans progressing more quickly than expected and my patience rapidly dwindling.

Now that I’d tasted the desperation in her kiss, I made the easy decision that it was time to force the issue. It would be best for everyone involved. She’d be free of Wellington, and I’d no longer have to worry about falling for the wrong woman because Lina would hate me once I executed my plans. Any longing in her eyes would turn to pure resentment.

It was the smartest move I could make, and I fucking hated it.

CHAPTER 12

LINA

If Oran Byrnewas sent as a test to challenge me, I was failing. He was creeping under my skin a little more with every interaction, wearing down my resolve and confusing my priorities.

I was supposed to go home with Lawrence that night. The lingeriehadbeen for him, and I’d left the shop committed to seducing my way into his bed. Our relationship had been purely ornamental—I’d been the very definition of arm candy. I had no idea why Lawrence hadn’t sought more from me. Most older men in his position would jump at the chance to use me to boost their ego. All Lawrence seemed to want was to be seen with me on his arm. That wasn’t enough. I had to find a way to take the relationship to the next level to gainhis trust. Without trust, I’d never get information on the Society.

The Society was Olympus’s dirty little secret. A club within the club. A group so secretive, there weren’t even whispers of its existence. I only knew about it because my mother and stepfather were members. So was Lawrence Wellington, and he was also the key to getting my sister back.

It was my fault they’d gotten their hands on her, and I wouldn’t rest until she was home with me where she belonged. She hadn’t even turned eighteen, for Christ’s sake. She should have been my only focus, but Oran had muddied the waters so badly that I kept losing my way.

His jealousy over me being with Lawrence shouldn’t have factored into my decisions, yet when the club dinner ended, I made my excuses, claiming a headache, and left alone.

The following two days were a barrage of guilt and frustration. How could I have possibly let Oran sway me into missing an opportunity to gather information? What if a night with Lawrence unveiled a clue that helped me get my sister back? No matter how grotesque the situation, it would have been worth it. I would have done anything for Amelie.

I’d already sacrificed so much, and it would all be for nothing if I failed. I refused to allow myself to stray from my goals.

Oran was just another rich bastard who wanted what he couldn’t have. They were all the same. I wouldn’t let him get in my way again.

Thankfully, another opportunity presented itself days later when Lawrence invited me to a charity dinner event. I was so relieved to have another chance that my nerves barely acted up. Normally, I had to fight back my visceral reaction to the man and everything he represented. Tonight was different.

I hovered close to Lawrence as we mingled with the city’smost influential residents. I leaned into his touch and looked at him admiringly when he spoke. I played my part perfectly, and as the evening drew to a close, I was more determined than ever to ride the wave of momentum and push the relationship to the next level.

It’s just sex. You’ve lived through worse, Lina. Think of Amelie. You owe it to her.

Think of Amelie.

Think of Amelie.

I chanted that phrase in my mind on the way to Lawrence’s car. Once we were closed off in the back together, I angled myself toward him and ran my hand up his thigh.

“You haven’t even tried to touch me, Lawrence. Don’t you find me attractive?”

He sighed. “There are two types of women, Lina—those you keep on your arm for the world to see, and those you fuck. That truth is especially important for a man like me who has …particulartastes.”

Of course. Why hadn’t I thought of it before?

“You like kink,” I said quietly.

“What I like is something a woman of your standing would never tolerate.”

“You don’t know that.”

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