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 Perlman family will have to

stiffened, overwhelmed by the audacious

air was crisp with a hint

found herself carried to the car, sitting on his lap, the temperature inside as chilling as the embrace of the man she

and the oppressive silence was heavy

disheveled clothes, Whitney wanted to move

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,

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17:47

Chapter 21

cruelty was biting when

the spot he had hit, Whitney muttered in

mood was clearly foul as he eyed her pale face with mockery. “You think

the seat in front, signaling the driver to turn on the

in his arms

fabric

you doing?” His rough fingers touched her delicate skin, and Whitney,

doing? Should I finish here what you started with that ex of

humiliation. “Please don’t speak so

lied to my mother, telling her you were

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

Simon to do

tone grew colder. “Didn’t I make myself clear?

life and, after a moment’s calm reflection, stated, “Thank 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

fell for a few

feel the

could not 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

Whitney blinked in surprise.

voice

The assistant fell silent.

to the sound of Mr. L’s chilling

distance? Then keep

and quickly crawled off his lap, squeezing herself as

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

against Whitney’s face vanished, and she stopped shivering as he turned

observation was meticulous. He a man was hard for any