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.

“Just a man who doesn’t give a damn about you. Simon, you touch her again, and your whole Perlman family will have to

audacious tone. Just who was

night air was crisp

his lap, the temperature inside as chilling as the embrace of

a word, and the oppressive silence

awkward in her disheveled clothes,

could, his hand came down sharply and slapped her butt. “Eager to get off my lap? Were your ex–fiancé’s legs more comfortable? I thought your hatred ran deep, but it seems

1/3

17:47

Chapter 21

cruelty was biting

in embarrassment, “Mr. L,

her pale face with mockery. “You think I

seat in front, signaling the

in his

pulled her closer, his gaze falling to the torn fabric of her blouse. As he

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

do you think I’m doing? Should I finish here what you started with that

humiliation. “Please don’t

her you

paled further. “I didn’t want to worry anyone with this. I can 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 so low…”

she have expected Simon to do something

make

you for your kindness, Mr. L, but let’s be clear. Ours is a contract marriage. We should maintain our distance. I don’t want to bother you with my issues, and I’ll stay out

fell for a few

feel the temperature

help but look back, whispering, “Madam, Mr. L was working late… He rushed back to pick you up from the airport, but you didn’t reply to messages or answer your

Whitney blinked in surprise.

Ludwik’s voice

The assistant fell silent.

head to the sound of Mr. L’s

Then keep your

his lap, squeezing herself as far into

chest grew stiffer. After a

Whitney’s face vanished, and she stopped shivering as

palpable, yet his observation was meticulous. He a man was