---- "Elliot...


    that means there are more traitors among us," she came to the same conclusion.


    Ilocked eyes with herthose sharp, intelligent brown eyes.


    I loved that fire in her gaze, always so alive.


    "It seems so.


    I have to go now...


    Katherine..." I called her name deliberately, raising my hand to caress her cheek.


    Elliot, L..


    [swear I "It doesn''t matter.


    You can exinter.


    Don''t be afraid.


    I just need to know one thing before I leave." I leaned in, searching the depths of her soul.


    "Rosse...


    will she return? Will she try to ckmail me again to take your ce?" "No," she answered, lowering her gaze.


    "She...


    she was my twin sister.


    And shes dead." It felt cruel, but I exhaled in relief.


    "T''m sorry, Kath, but I wont pretend that affects me.


    Honestly, Im relieved.


    And happier for the change.


    Id choose you a million times over.


    Elliot...


    Tlowered my face, tilting her chin, my mouth brushing against hers still swollen from my kisses.


    Isucked her lower lip, slipping my tongue into her soft mouth, kissing her deeply, greedily.


    I grabbed her waist, pulling her flush against me, breathing in her scent, the only thing that could calm the beast inside me.


    ---- Her heartbeat pounded against my chest.


    "You are mine, and nothing and no one will take you from me," I whispered into her breathy moans.


    "Baby, I need to go now, Katherine...


    "T''ll stay," she assured me, firmly, her arms wrapping around my neck, pressing her soft, sinful breasts against me.


    "Tt would be too suspicious if we both disappeared like fugitives in the night.


    That would raise rms.


    If you do something suspicious, they could use you of plotting against Duke Thesio." She immediately connected the dots, summarizing my concerns, thinking like a true Duchessprotecting what belonged to us.


    Why didnt youe from the beginning?" The words slipped out, heavy with regret.


    She looked at me withplicated eyes.


    As much as I wanted to clear everything up, this wasnt the time or the ce.


    "Fine.


    Ill leave some guards here.


    They I escort you to the Duchy in the morning." "Tl tell them you left early to handle business in ournds." She rose from the bed to help me dress.


    I threw on my tunic over the rumpled clothing, hurriedly fastening the straps.


    Fully armed, I rushed toward the door.


    But before leaving, I turned back, wrapping her in onest embrace, onest kiss.


    ---- Thated leaving her alonebut it was even more dangerous to bring her into the heart of the conflict.


    "You have full authority to run the household.


    Immediately lock down the castle.


    Ill send word with the men escorting youthe gates to the fortified walls must be sealed." "Tllbe fine, dont worry...


    but Elliot, please, please, be careful," she pleaded, her warm hands cradling my face.


    On tiptoe, she pressed a kiss to my chin.


    "Kath, if the worst happens" "No, it wont" "Listen to me, baby.


    Just in case.


    In my study..." I whispered into her ear, giving her the safe code, telling her where to retrieve the gold from my private treasury, where to find the hidden househer escape n with Lavinia.


    "Twont use a damn thing, Elliot.


    You have toe back, do you hear me? " She grabbed mypels, her eyes wet, her hands shaking.


    "Ill pay you back.


    Every single pension check, Ill repay with interest." "Thats a promise, my dear Duchess.


    Dont forget it." I gave her a faint smile to reassure her.


    Then, pressing a final kiss to the tip of her nose, I turned and walked awaywithout looking back.