Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 791

Whitney spun around, eager to get away. "I'm done dealing with you. If my uncle sees me not back soon, it'll be trouble.

And lay off Bryce, will you? If you stir things up, it'll only get messier between us."

No sooner had she been roughed up, Ludwik was already plotting to confront Bryce. That would just scream to Bryce that she had snitched. That was the last thing Whitney wanted.

"Whitney, do you really think things between us can ever be clear again?" Ludwik's voice was soothingly warm. "We're way past that point. You keep defending me, throwing harsh words but always siding with me in your heart. I don't buy that I'm not in there somewhere." "Ludwik, shut up!" Whitney snapped back, her patience worn thin.

But her retort pulled at the cut on her cheek, sending a sharp pain across her face. "Ah, ouch..."

"What's wrong, does it hurt? Stop shouting," Ludwik said, concern lacing his voice as he thought about dashing to the mansion's entrance to grab some first aid.

Whitney grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Do you want my uncle to see you?"

At least his SUV was blocking the view.

The man looked at her, visibly distressed by her facial injury, unsure of what to do. "Then how about I blow on it to ease the pain, Whitney?"

He leaned in close, his breaths warm and teasing against her skin amidst the chilly night air.

Whitney's lashes fluttered under his gentle breaths, slightly amused and irritated by his awkward attempts to comfort her. "Are you treating me like a kid? Stop, that's not going to help with the pain. If you really want to make me feel better, just stop getting on my nerves." "When have I ever upset you? I'm just speaking the truth. And as for Bryce, don't worry about him. He hurt the woman I love. If I don't teach him a lesson, what kind of man would I be?" Ludwik's tone was calm, but his gaze was icy.

Whitney glared at him, at a loss for words.

She tried to change the subject, casting a glance towards his midsection with a teasing edge, "Well, you're hardly a man now, as far as I could tell."

the bathroom that night; it's not like I'm completely out of the game... just a bit hurt. I'm getting treatment. Soon, you'll see what you've been missing, darling. You haven't forgotten, have

dirty; you were the one who

a smirk. After a moment of silence, he looked down at her gently and said, "Whitney, you're asking me not to go after Bryce because you're actually looking out for me, right? Now that I'm down on my luck and the Lippert family's standing is

taken aback by his

to see

flustered tone, "Get over your delusions. I just don't want you messing with my husband and throwing

dark eyes trailing down her neck, "Look at you, chasing after me in such a hurry you didn't even put on a jacket or

heated gaze down only to realize her blunder. In her rush, she

was just in a tank top and

an almost complete view,

"Asshole."

plenty of times before; it's all memorized," Ludwik explained, though his eyes still held

talking!" Complete embarrassment sent Whitney

she wrapped his coat around

him feel strong and protective. A slight smile played on his lips, especially when

was safely in her room, the cold air helping her regain composure, she glanced out the window at Ludwik's

sudden death of Audrey and

gripped her. What if Ludwik

hesitated,

-

warning you again, stay away from

his face in the dim light. She was still being stubborn, claiming she didn't care about

she was, worried enough

from her, Ludwik knew he still