Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 369 Playing Along

His kiss was fierce, pulling me in, his hands gripping ne with a force that betrayed his fear of losing me The sterile hospital hallway stood empty, as cold and sent as a tomb. But here, we were, caught in al whirlwind of heat, our lips meeting, each breath sharp d electric

The hospital air around us thickened, charged with the weight of what was happening

1 gasped for air, his lips smothering mine as if he were sealing my very breath

My fists pounded weakly against his chest, my body fighting against the onslaught, but he didn’t yield. Reluctantly, he pulled away, his eyes dark with desire, gering on me like a predator eyeing its prey. I breathed deeply, grateful for the space to fill my lungs again, but my heart still raced

Then I saw it. The camera. My face flushed, heat flooding my skin. Had they caught that? The kiss. The

moment.

All of it, now in full view for whoever might look.

A wave of panic rushed over me. “Caden,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “Next time… can we be more discreet? Somewhere more private?” I felt the weight of the gaze I knew was on us, invisible yet somehow tangible.

He stepped closer, his expression darkening, but not in anger–in amusement.

His fingers brushed over mine, his touch lingering as his thumb traced circles over my palm.

“Rosaline, he murmured, his voice low and laced with something far too dangerous. “Are you asking me to take this further?” His hand, warm and strong, sent a shiver down my spine.

I blinked, taken aback. Then I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss his words. “You’re reading too much into this,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. I couldn’t let him distract me now, not with everything on the line.

I cleared my mind, getting my mind back on track. This was no time for distractions.

The plan was bigger than just Queenie and Eleanor–it was about Heidi, too. The one who’d poisoned Richard alongside them.

The one lurking in the shadows, pulling strings, as dangerous as any of them.

Tonight, we had failed to capture her.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Heidi and her master was biding their time. They were players, too.

in this game–she was central to it. Whoever was behind her had a bigger

to be taken out of the game. Quickly.

gaze, his eyes sharp and searching, feeling the shift in my thoughts. “Caden,” I

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369 Playing

Caden’s POV:

furrowed with concern. What’s

Heidi, whether she was Tessa or not,

disappointment, and my heart, well–it belonged to Rosaline.

to matter. No woman but

my

heart.

+8 Pearls

low. “Believe me, I don’t have a the proof yet. But from everything I’ve gathered.

ruille her hair. “Still bothered by Heidi? I

not that…” Rosaline shook her head, her eyes searching

I asked, confusion

it wasn’t Heidi, then what else could it be?

you remember, years ago, when you told me Tessa saved

like a punch to the gut. “Yes,” I answered, my voice heavy with

moment.

sacrificed

never forget

if Heidi wasn’t Tessa, why did she know so much about that day? Why did she seem so familiar with it

interrupted my thoughts. “Do you remember when Heidi tried to pin the blame on me for leaking the Eclipse Group bid? After we exposed her, she showed you her

low. “Of course. I

Tessa, she

don’t look like they came from a fall off a cliff. They don’t even match

slowly creeping in. “So what are you saying? The pieces started to fit together in a way that made my

resolve, unwavering. “Caden, help me put on a show. I’ll give you

thought, I nodded.

Rosaline’s POV: