Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 265

Whitney frowned as she clambered out of bed, her mood sour.

"Mama..." Danny's little head popped out from under the covers, his eyes rubbing sleepily, yet alert with a hint of fear. "Who's at the door?"

The thought of danger had his heart racing. Could it be that Ludwik had found them, come to take him away?

"Don't worry, sweetie," Whitney soothed, instinctively wrapping him tighter in his blanket before stepping out and gently closing the bedroom door behind her.

She approached the front door of her apartment, reassured by the presence of security cameras in the hallway. It wasn't fear that guided her hand to the doorknob, but curiosity. She cracked the door open and peered out, "Who's there at this ungodly hour... Ah!" Her question was cut short by a sudden yank that pulled her from the safety of her home.

The man who grabbed her was large and powerful, fueled by anger as he pinned her against the wall.

Whitney looked up into the face of the man before her, a flash of guilt passing through her eyes-Danny was just inside! She feigned composure, snapping irritably, "Mr. Lippert, can't you take a hint and leave me be?"

Her voice was husky with sleep, velvety eyes still clouded with dreams, adding to her inadvertent allure.

Ludwik's gaze dropped lower, his expression darkening as the scent of her perfume wafted from her delicate, pale collarbones.

The quiet of the night seemed to amplify the temptation, distracting him.

After a moment of frustrated distraction, he looked like he wanted to throttle her, his voice low and threatening, "What kind of sorcery have you used on me, you scheming woman?" Whitney took a moment to understand his accusation.

Her half-lidded eyes and fluttering lashes gave her a look of lazy seduction.

Ludwik's adam's apple bobbed, his anger intensifying at her proximity, "Out with it! What tricks have you pulled? Why is it that I can't feel anything for Elaine or any other woman, but you?" Finally catching on, Whitney realized he was frustrated after finding no spark with Elaine. And he thought Whitney had something to do with it?

She snorted softly, her lips curving into a faint smirk as she looked up at his handsome, vexed face, "Oh, Mr. Lippert, has your charm worn off, and now you come to me for relief?"

He was speechless with rage, his handsome face turning a shade darker, almost wishing he could wring her neck.

His ears reddened slightly as he threatened with narrowed eyes, "Like that little show in the bathroom earlier? What witchcraft was that? I want to see it for myself this time!" Whitney stiffened, the heat of his body making it hard to breathe, but she was not the one at fault.

was still holding onto some misguided desire

he didn't quite understand and was quite

"Frankly, Mr. Lippert, your passion disgusts me. Do I really need to resort to tricks? A man who can't control his

dark and stormy, "Don't play coy. Would I be like this if you hadn't flaunted

was searing his

past three years, how many men

nonchalant,

business is it of yours?" Whitney's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, "You better go home, Mr. Lippert. Keep bothering me,

way to seduce me, she wouldn't be heartbroken," Ludwik spat back, his anger boiling over, "What have you done to me? Why can't I resist you? Explain yourself, or you won't have a moment's peace tonight!" Whitney rolled her eyes, her voice icy,

"Delusional!" He would never.

caused our child's death. I

he spoke of, Danny, was

man didn't deserve to know that Danny was

feeling is mutual.

you to

her-not overtly. But he

tried to dismiss him, "I have no interest in midnight chats, Mr. Lippert. I'm cold. And since you find me

mischief. Ludwik paused, asking, "What

castration; that'll

deep breath

moment, Whitney turned to

get out of my way!" he snarled, shoving a leg

thought, Whitney aimed

groaned, a twisted grimace on his face as he braced against

to me anyway, Mr. Lippert. But rest assured, I

any man, and certainly not for a scoundrel

in too much pain to reply, seething at the thought of grabbing her, of showing her who was in charge. But the pain

just wait!" The man's voice was laced with fury, teeth clenched tight as he saw her hastily close the door. The words she had flung at him flashed through his mind, igniting a jealous rage that drove him to kick the door. "What, you hiding some lover in there? Who is it,