Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 45

Lizetta only freaked out for a sec she’d taken so many tumbles while dancing that her muscles have a mind of their own now.

She was about to pull a mid–air twist and flip when a big hand clamped down on her side. Before Lizetta could even process what was happening, she was scooped up off the ground into a full–on bear hug.

Her heart pounding, Lizetta looked up and locked eyes with the man who’d been MIA for a week. The mall’s overhead lights were blinding, but there he was, holding her, his perfectly combed hair catching the starlight, looking like some sort of god with his handsome face.

He was dressed to kill today in a black shirt and a silver–gray checkered tie. His suit wasn’t the run–of–the–mill kind – it had a bold peak lapel design, and with that silver brooch and matching watch gleaming, he was the epitome of posh arrogance.

Lizetta was so stunned being in his arms that she was totally spaced out. Then he whispered in her ear, “What, I’ve been away that long and you couldn’t recognize your own hubby?”

Hubby? That was a new one for Lizetta – she couldn’t help but blush to her roots, all discombobulated.

It wasn’t until she caught the scoffing, not teasing, look in Remington’s eyes that she snapped back to reality.

She pushed him away and hopped down, quipping, “Yep, didn’t recognize you. After all, even a mutt can look like a gentleman for a day.”

Remington almost burst out laughing in fury. He’d saved her and this was his thanks – a dig at his humanity?

“Can’t walk upright anymore? All you got left is a sharp tongue, huh? If I’m a mutt, then you’re

mutt’s mate.”

Remington steadied her and then let go.

the heck – Lizetta

stepped up, a respectful reminder

that Remington showing up had been strictly business. A lineup of suited and booted elites stood at the shoe store’s entrance, all eyes on them, waiting for him.

was

snarky comments,

floor up, get some proper mats for the try–on area, and

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14:08:

Chapter 45

around.”

like their life depended on it, even scribbling notes.

then

elites swarmed him, and he was back in business mode in no time, sharp as ever, “What’s with the leasing strategy here? The advertising’s not cutting it. Who’s still backing this outdated

Badass Remington’s got the hardware and software down pat. That aura of

was helpless, “Why do I feel like

eyes popped, “No way, he’s been eating you up recently? Where have you two been rolling in the hay? You’re staying

mall belongs to the Dashiell Group?”

Yolanda, but it seemed like she wasn’t

and yet they’re stuck browsing at a plebeian shoe store,

saw Evelina and Shirley, looking

the sixth child in Remington’s generation and was the daughter of

and only girl, but when the former was adopted, without changing her last name, she stepped into the family hierarchy and had