Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

A sudden chill swept through the private room, sending a shiver down Whitney’s spine.

Simon shot up from his seat just as Whitney turned her head to see a tall figure clad in a perfectly tailored black suit, his mask hiding a stern jawline beneath. Those deep, piercing eyes aimed a chilling gaze straight at

her.

Why was L here?

Whitney tried to compose herself in disarray as her cheeks flushed a bashful pink.

Without a hint of tenderness, his icy grip hoisted her up. He had appeared next to the couch without notice, his frosty stare alone enough to send Whitney’s heart racing with fear.

Biting her lip, she immediately positioned herself behind him.

He turned, his gaze sweeping over Simon, who had his arms wrapped around Whitney’s waist.

Simon faltered, taken aback. This man was supposed to be a thug, but the aura around him was so intimidating that Simon’s arms fell away without conscious thought.

Coming back to his senses, Simon’s anger flared. “You again, you thug!”

But before he could throw a punch, he was met with a fierce blow that sent him sprawling to the ground.

“Hiss.” Eyes blazing, Simon scrambled back to his feet. Just then, two other young men entered from outside. Simon’s demeanor shifted on spotting Nolan Fuller and Parker Doonan. Nolan was from one of the four families, while Parker, not quite from that elite circle, was even more notorious. His family, the Doonan family, was one of the rulers of the underground world.

Parker was the youngest head of the Doonan family.

Now, the Fuller family’s young lord and the Doonan family’s head were flanking the masked man, like his right and left arms.

Simon’s expression soured. Maybe this guy was not just some thug after all. But who was he?

Whitney was abruptly swept up in the man’s arms as he strode out of the room.

“Stop!” Simon bellowed, his pride wounded. “What right do you have to take her? You’re nobody to her!”

The man’s eyes narrowed, a sneer spreading as he glanced down at the woman in his arms. “Didn’t you tell her who you belong to?”

Whitney hung her head as if she had done something wrong.

“Who the hell are you?” Simon roared, still not ready to back down.

the door shut with a sneer. “Just a man who doesn’t give a damn about you. Simon, you touch her again, and your whole

audacious

was crisp with a hint

carried to the car, sitting on his lap, the temperature inside as chilling as the embrace of

and the oppressive silence was

in her disheveled clothes,

she could, his hand came down sharply and slapped her butt. “Eager to get off my lap? Were your ex–fiancé’s legs

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Chapter 21

cruelty was biting when

hit, Whitney muttered in embarrassment, “Mr. L, there’s no need for sarcasm…

foul as he eyed her pale face with mockery. “You think I want

the seat in front, signaling the

his arms

his gaze falling to the torn fabric

delicate skin, and Whitney, already rattled by the night’s near–disaster, pushed his

from above. “What do you think I’m doing? Should

burned with humiliation. “Please don’t speak so

lied to my mother, telling her you were going out with your BFF, right?” He

explain. I needed a phone book, and indeed, if you hadn’t arrived in time, I couldn’t have borne the consequences. But I never imagined Simon would stoop

have expected Simon to do something so

“Didn’t I make myself clear?

calm reflection, stated, “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. L, but let’s be clear. Ours is a contract

for a few

feel the

seat shivered and could not help but look back, whispering, “Madam, Mr. L was working late… He rushed back to pick you up from

Whitney blinked in surprise.

Ludwik’s voice was

The assistant fell silent.

head to the sound of Mr.

Then keep

and quickly crawled off his lap, squeezing herself as

herself, the man’s chest grew stiffer. After a second, he barked

and she stopped shivering as he turned on the heat.

palpable, yet his observation was meticulous. He a man was hard for any woman to