Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"If you're staying quiet, I'll take that as your consent for treatment," Ludwik said with that same shameless grin. "Saint Valentine over here, saving lives one day at a time."

"Oh, quit sucking up. Saving lives? Really? You barely qualify for a Band-Aid."

"If you want to go down that road, remember, you dated Bryce. I was devastated, wound up getting hurt in jail. This injury is basically your fault, so you owe me a fix-up."

Whitney looked at him, totally flabbergasted. "With that silver tongue, why aren't you a lawyer? You're making up stories faster than Netflix."

"Think it'll work, babe?"

"I should sue you for slander." Whitney glared, her big hazel eyes trying for fierce, but honestly, she looked about as scary as a cupcake.

Ludwik's smirk just got more wicked. Teasing her was his favorite. "You said I could be a lawyer. So go ahead, sue me—I'll win, and you'll just end up joining my side. Patch me up and I'll make it worth your while."

"Oh please, keep your pocket change. I'm richer than you now." Whitney rolled her eyes so hard you could practically hear them.

Money,

Danny, who'd been listening in, finally caught on to that

their heads at their dad, looking deeply unimpressed. "Dad, seriously? If Grandpa and Great-Grandma heard

shot Danny a frosty look. "Wanna try telling them?

stared, lost for words. He couldn't believe his dad was turning into the family freeloader. Always tough in

the reasonable one, piped up, "You know, Mom might not even pick you if you tried. There's a whole line of young, hot guys who'd jump at the chance to marry into

her son's head a fond ruffle. That's my kid, she thought, at least he's on

eyes glinted with amusement. "Sammy, you know stepdads can be mean fight? Look at your little sister she's still

froze, suddenly uncertain. For all his

mom's single and loaded?

"Who's your

was about to burst out laughing. Ludwik leaned closer, voice dropping, all husky and teasing.

met, and for