Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Whitney froze, something flashing through her mind, snapping her wide awake.

She let out an angry, sarcastic laugh. "If she's really willing to throw herself into this just for a shot at being Mrs. Nelson's daughter-in-law, then bring it on. I'll play to the end!"

Ludwik chuckled lazily on the other end, teasing, "So, how's it going with Shane?"

"He upset Sandy, and now he's over there trying to explain everything. I bet that'll take all day, if not longer."

Ludwik offered, "If you guys want Sandy to accept Shane-and all the drama that comes with it-shouldn't you send Shane's daughter over to her? There's nothing like your own kid to soften your heart. Trust me, I've seen it work on you, too."

Whitney glared, catching his jab. "You men, honestly-none of you are decent. You have some nerve."

He cut in smoothly, "I was trying to say you're kind! There's no woman in the world with a bigger heart, no one smarter or more graceful than you. You're the best mom ever. If you were a touch more forgiving, you'd make the best Mrs. Lippert, too."

His deep, velvety voice oozed dangerous charm.

like that, he could say practically anything and a woman would fall

of the moment, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but twitch up. "You and your sweet talk-so greasy. Who would want to be your Mrs. Lippert? My dad's the chairman of

but a deep, masculine breath on the

voice was laced with a dangerous sort of mockery. "I've gotten over all my issues, sweetheart. Sooner or later, I'll have you right where I want you,

off, because he just hung up on

could practically feel

only grew, and she

she thought.

to heart and dialed Sammy. Her son was quick on the uptake, and after hearing her

little girl perked up the moment she

Hospital. Whitney drove over, scooping her up just as she

go see your

still at the apartment? How's their talk going? Do you think mommy will forgive

head. "Tina, you've never even spent a day with your mom, but you're already so protective of her! Guess you really are two peas in a pod. But how do you know it was your dad who messed