Andrei Andreevich's eyes narrowed with recognition, and then I felt the rush of his sudden searing hatred like fire. I could feel the heat of his intense eyes all over my body. “Have you met Prince Andrei?” Aldric asked, looking between us. Everyone at the table was staring as well. Maybe it was the way I looked like I had seen a ghost or the way he was gritting his teeth. Either way, we both looked vicious. “Prince?” I choked out. The last time I remembered, he didn't use his worthless title. I could not look away from his face, the face of the man I’d dreamed about unwillingly for the past ten years.His cruel, sensual lips curved as he leaned back in his chair. My heart tried to pump blood aggressively, but I resisted. I wasn't going to let my guard down for him. “Miss Bennet,” he drawled. “I didn’t know you were in Hawaii. And gambling. What a pleasant surprise.”Miss Bennet? He would never call me that ten years ago. He loved to call me Illyra all the time. His tone also carri

My brow furrowed as I tried to read his expression. I couldn't understand what he was trying to do. What on earth was he doing? What was Andrei planning in his dark mind? Was he trying to help me? Or giving me more rope to hang myself with? It had to be the latter because his eyes screamed mercilessness. Andrei would never help me, especially when he had a chance to revenge. Repressing my inner tumult, I stared him down. In for a penny. I could use his idea to my advantage. I lifted my chin. “If it’s worth five more, why not ten more?”The corners of Andrei's mouth lifted. “Yes, indeed. Why not?” He looked around the table. “Miss Bennet has raised the wager by ten thousand dollars.”To my shock, one by one, the men agreed to my supposed “raise,” except for the German, who folded with an unintelligible curse. What was happening? Could I really win and save Lyra? Was Andrei helping me, and for what reason? And just like that—oh, merciful heavens—there was suddenly a pile of chips at

LyraMy eyelids fluttered, then flew open as I sat up with a sharp intake of breath.I was still fully dressed. I was sleeping on an enormous bed in a strange room. The masculine, dark-floored bedroom was flooded with golden lights from the window.How long had I been sleeping? I yawned, and my mouth felt dry. Who had brought me here? Could it have been Viktor himself?The thought of being carried in those strong arms against his hard chest as I slept on, unaware, caused me to tremble. I looked down at the mussed white bedspread.Could it possibly be his bed...?With a gulp, I jumped up as if it had burned me. I glanced around the room and expensive furnitures. The clock on the fireplace mantel said three o’clock. Gracious! I'd slept for hours.I stretched my arms above my head with another yawn. It had been nice ofViktor to let me sleep. Flying to and fro to save my sister had drained me completely but I felt so much better after the long nap.Until I saw myself in the full-length m

Lyra“I’ll look into it further.” He tilted his head. “After we are married. Right now, eat and sign the documents.”“Oh. Right. The deal.” I took a deep breath. “But she’s safe? I hope Andrei hasn't tried to hurt her.”He snorted. “What do you think? Why do you think she wouldn't be safe?”I looked up. “You think she is? I mean, they hate each other. It's only normal that he will try to hurt her.”“She is crafty. And sly. I doubt even my brother will be able to control her,” he said dryly. “It’s more likely she’d be putting him through hell. She has done that before so it won't be quite hard to do it again. You should not be worried about her being in trouble. Trust me, she isn't.”Feeling reassured, I leaned my elbows against the table. The way Viktor described her relationship with Andrei was quite weird. “You don’t like my sister, do you?”“She’s a liar,” he said evenly. “A con artist. What do I have to like about her?"“Not anymore!” I cried, stung. "She has changed. We have left

ViktorAn hour later, we exchanged wedding rings, speaking our vows in a simple ceremony in the office of a justice of the peace indowntown Honolulu. I couldn’t look away from the radiant beautyof my bride.Or believe that I'd told her so much about my past. I’d told her aboutmy heartbreaking first experience with love. I’d told her I’d been a virgin at twenty-two. What the hell had possessed me? I had never been so vulnerable with anyone. Why was Lyra Bennet so different? I didn’t care if she looked at me with her weepy eyes and vulnerablesmile. I'd never try to comfort her again with a little piece of my soul.From now on, I'd keep my damned mouth shut. It seemed like charming people and getting anything out of them was a family talent they possessed. “And do you, Lyra Bennet, take this man to be your lawfullywedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer orpoorer, as long as you both shall live?”Lyra turned to look at me, her soft brown eye