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Liam’s alliance, sworn in blood, would be a force to be reckoned with. It wavered the doubt in Shaye’s mind.

Despite Rihanna’s gaping expression and Thierryshooting to his feet, prepared to protest, Shaye reached for Liam’s hand.

His palm clapped against the wet surface offered by the other man.

A sizzle of power shot up his arm.

“What have you done?!”

Shaye sprang to his feet and twisted.

Moira dropped to her knees on the carpeted floor of the adjoining living room, hugging her belly, eyes glistening with tears as they tore from his shocked gaze to the blood smeared over his hand.

Rihanna dropped beside her, arms wrapping about her shoulders as Moira gasped for breath.

Her broken gaze locked on his.

Ripped his heart to shreds.

“What have youdone?”

21

Kate spotted the stunning blond woman, seated alone toward the back of the restaurant. She sipped a glass of red wine as she traced circles over the white linen tablecloth with the tips of her fingernails. The hostess hurried to the podium to greet Kate, but Kate waved her aside and beelined toward the blond woman.

No one sat at the tables surrounding her otherwise secluded table. It struck a warning chord inside Kate, but she’d made up her mind as she mulled over their initial meeting. If this woman could somehow give Bryce back to her, she’d be willing to strike a deal with the Devil himself.

Bryce was hers. She’d settle for no less.

Kate slid her purse from her shoulder and took the seat opposite the blond woman. She continued to draw lazy circles over the tablecloth while gently swirling the wine in her glass. The rude woman didn’t even glance up. In fact, her only acknowledgement came in the form of a cryptic question.

“Do you know who Bryce is?”

Kate snorted and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms overher chest as she dropped back into her chair. “How about we start with whoyouare and how you know my fiancé.”

The woman’s doodling finger stopped, as did the hypnotic swirl of the wine. Kate cocked her head, pursed her lips, and arched her brows when the woman finally lifted that unnatural golden gaze to her.

The chill that slid beneath her skin in her office the day before returned. Despite how warm the sun-like glow appeared, it almost froze her to the marrow.

“How about”—she flicked a finger toward Kate—“you tell me where the scar on his palm came from.”

Kate’s arms dropped and she straightened in her chair. “How the hell do you know about that?” She leaned forward, challenging the woman’s unblinking gaze. “And, it’s not a scar. It’s abirthmark. He was born with it.”

The corner of the woman’s mouth curled up in a sinful grin as she lifted her wine glass and took a slow, drawn-out sip.

Kate exhaled an exasperated breath and shook her head. “You know what?” She snatched her purse from the table and stood up. “I’m wasting my time with you. I don’t have the patience for your fucking games.”

Kate spun around and took a step.

“’Tis such a shame, Katherine.”

The woman’s taunting voice drew her up short. She kept her back to the stranger, but felt the burn of her sun-like gaze spread over her back.

“Mayhap I misjudged you. Mayhap you’d rather give up what is rightfully yours because you know you stand no chance against the competition.”

Kate hissed, spinning back to the woman. “Howdareyou make assumptions!”

“Step carefully, Katherine. I extended an offer to you. Ican easily rescind it and be on my way. I’ve far better things to focus on than a mere human’s broken heart.”