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And Max ht even notice

But then again, he noticed everything

Yet beautiful gowns, intricate coiffures, witty conversation, and intelligent questions made no difference to a man who’d confessed-under duress-that he loved her But would never, under any circumstances, stay with her Be with her

Because he was afraid for her

Since her mother wasn’t around, Victoria didn’t bother to stifle her snort

Afraid for her Her Illa Gardella The most physically powerful woman in the world, the leader of the Venators The woth and speed that matched superhuman vampires

He was afraid for her

Victoria snorted again It was more likely that he was afraid for himself Or, more precisely, his heart

Bloody coward

He was currently living in the servants’ quarters here in this house, which had belonged to her great-aunt Eustacia but now belonged to Victoria Yet it was only a ain

Only teeks had elapsed since they’d been captured by Lilith, the vaain Frankly, Victoria was surprised Max hadn’t slipped away yet-particularly since the last time they’d been alone hen he’d admitted that he loved her-and had then proceeded to leave the room Flee, more accurately

He’d taken great care not to be in her presence alone since

At that , Verbena, as as efficient as she was verbose, had re the heavy silk gown over her head Victoria lifted her arms so that she could find the short little sleeves athered silk The frock fell smoothly to the floor, where its hem was anchored by two narros of flounces As Verbena buttoned the gown up over her mistress’s corset and shift, Victoria considered her options

There was no sense in trying toher into Sebastian’s arh Victoria had spent her share of tio that the h to spend the rest of her life asn’t Sebastian Vioget It was Max Pesaro

That realization had been creeping up on her for a while, but it had co head after she’d spent a night in his ar, powerful body