The dark words spoken by Marcus Vance hung heavy in the cold midnight air, echoing inside Clara's mind like a dark curse.

"Victoria Vane is currently signing away your mother's Manhattan estate."

Clara stood frozen on the deck of the mega yacht, watching the international maritime police officers drag Marcus down the gangway in heavy steel chains. The evil man kept laughing wildly into the night sky until the doors of the police boat slammed shut, cutting off his ugly sound for good.

Lucian wrapped his strong, warm arms around Clara's waist from behind, pulling her soft body back hard against his solid chest. He rested his chin against her...