“When she made that ridiculous offer to me, I told her she could see you in the flesh on Christmas.” He leaned back and clasped his hands behind his head. “I gave her an invitation.”

The fuck?

I regarded his arrogant, devil-may-care expression, trying to dissect the brain behind the lazy sprawl and fearless smirk. He was smart. Ruthless. Manipulative. Always scheming.

When Amanda had made him that offer, he knew he couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t have a threat against Elaine’s sister running around.

He could’ve just killed Amanda right then. Eliminated the problem. So why hadn’t he?

Maybe he wanted to fuck with the woman for a while? Especially after he learned about her connection to me.

Maybe he wanted to let this all play out just to see what I would do.

“Oh, and the spies you planted among my staff?” He flashed his teeth. “They’re headed home, grateful their limbs are still intact.”

The devil and his goddamn games.

“Listen, Magnus.” Tinsley drifted closer, drawing my gaze. “Amanda will show up at the Morelli Christmas Ball, because you will be there. I’ll tell all my friends we’re going, announce it on social media, and start spreading the word through Bishop’s Landing. Amanda will hear the buzz.”

It was an ironclad plan. Capturing Amanda at the party would be easy. A foregone conclusion.

But once I had her in restraints, what would I do with her?

Would I turn her over to the police?

Let Lucian kill her?

Would I gut her myself?

I wasn’t a murderer.

But I might become one once I confronted the coward who tried to poison my wife.

“The trap is set.” Lucian watched me with a disturbing glint in his eyes. “It’s up to you to decide what to do with it.”

Chapter Five

Magnus

On the night of the Christmas Ball, I stood in a cavernous, darkly masculine den in the Morelli estate. My pulse hummed an ominous rhythm as I checked my watch and returned my hand to my pocket.

In the distance, an ensemble of instrumentalists played classical holiday music. The ball had just begun, and I was past ready to dance with my princess.

This secluded room was situated down the hall from the ballroom, off the beaten path. Given the pristine settees, immaculate rugs, and shiny wood surfaces, I doubted anyone ever used the pretentious chamber.

Multiple closed doors led to storage rooms, closets, and a full bathroom. My guards hid in those areas, their weapons at the ready.

Amanda wouldn’t be armed inside these walls. Everyone in attendance was required to walk through a weapons scanner. Everyone except my security detail.

But the scanner was necessary, considering this monumental assembly of Morellis and Constantines.

It would be a miracle if the night didn’t end in bloodshed.

I made no promises.