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.

a beat. "Well, Miss New Money, I can marry into your fortune. Modern problems, modern

who'd been listening in, finally caught on

heads at their dad, looking deeply unimpressed. "Dad, seriously? If Grandpa and Great-Grandma heard you say that, they'd chase you down Main Street with a

frosty look. "Wanna try telling

turning into the family freeloader. Always tough in front of him, but

of young, hot guys who'd jump at the chance to marry into her money. You might as well try

my kid, she thought, at

"Sammy, you know stepdads can be mean

his calm, he was still just

mom's single and loaded? Charity stays in the family, buddy. She's always

me?" Whitney snapped, bristling. "Who's

standing off to the side, looked like he was about to burst out laughing. Ludwik leaned closer, voice dropping, all husky and teasing. "You're perfectly

and for a