Capture
Ella is Darnley’s fiancée, newly installed in his California beach house and working a dream job in his growing empire. But when Ella and Darnley’s past histories begin to unravel, everything Ella’s ever dreamed of is heading for a derail. And not only is she in danger, she could lose Darnley forever.Ella’s life should be a breeze. She’s Darnley’s fiancée, newly installed in his California beach house and teaching in the specialist training facility he set up as part of his growing empire. But when his past explodes and threatens to derail everything, and ghosts from her own history return, her ex, Ryan, makes Ella an offer she can’t refuse. Now she’s not only in danger, she may lose Darnley forever …
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CAPTURE
Flora Dain
THE WOLFE: BOOK 3
Mischief
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
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Copyright © Flora Dain 2014
Cover design: Head Design 2017, cover images: Shutterstock.com
Flora Dain asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authorâs imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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Ebook Edition © 2014 ISBN: 9780007579600
Version: 2017-08-21
Contents
Nowadays all it takes is a look.
Itâs New Yearâs Eve. Weâre having a Ball â literally. But a man keeps looking at me from across the room. Nothing too obvious, just catching my eye every now and then. But itâs very disturbing.
Correction â heâs very disturbing.
I should be pleased. People should look. Itâs a gala occasion. Iâm wearing a gown that cost more than I earn and jewels way out of my league. Weâre a blitz of glitz here â New Yorkâs Four Seasons at its finest.
Darnley never does things by halves.
The guests are the cream of the East Coast courtesy of his family, a shot of early-settler blueblood from mine, plus a sprinkling of West Coast celebs from his brother Eldonâs on-off movie contacts.
But that manâs gaze is deep and dark. Very unsettling.
Iâm trying to be civilised. Iâm a professional person. I should have more self-control, not come apart at one look.
Heâs noticed. Heâs coming over.
His gaze sweeps over me as he prowls through the guests. The crowd melts before him. Somewhere deep inside, so do I.
I should call security.
Wait. He is security.
âReady?â His voice is like hot velvet.
A prickle of fear raises the down on my arms.
âIâll take that as a yes.â The heat in his eyes makes me shiver. So does the touch of his hand on mine as he guides me up to the stage.
All the clocks, artfully placed among the banks of flowers and balloons to celebrate tonight, start to chime midnight.
Itâs the start of a New Year and for us a new era.
At a drumroll from the orchestra, silence falls around us and he starts to speak. His voice flows around me like dark honey and echoes through the vast room. He sounds casual, urbane. He could have been an actor.
âLadies and gentlemen, weâve an announcement to make. Iâm sure youâve all guessed it, but here goes. Ella and I are getting engaged. Happy New Year, everybody.â
Balloons tumble down, cheers rise up and he captures my mouth. Our kiss is all too brief and all too hot. A heady foretaste of whatâs to come.
* * *
âYou look terrific in that.â His low murmur thrills through me as we hurry out to the main exit where his carâs waiting to ferry us to his jet. His hand grips mine, his burning look turning my gown into liquid sex.
âYou too.â I grin, weak with relief â and that kiss.
But Iâm still angry.
Behind us, back in the ballroom, New Yearâs now in full swing, but weâre cutting things short. Weâve got other plans.
Since we got here tonight our attention has been all on family and friends. His parents, Aaron and Lydia, are here along with my friend Billy and Eldon, Darnleyâs brother â and various relatives and business people.
Even my parents are down from Maine. This is a real treat for them. We spent Christmas with them when Darnley proposed, so they know all about it. I was glad to see him blend into our quiet lifestyle and soak up some of my Momâs wholesome New England cooking â she goes to town in the kitchen on the rare occasions they have guests.
Even Darnley seemed to relax. Old-fashioned home comforts have been sadly lacking from his life.
âHey. Weâre here.â
He seizes my hand and I jerk out of my reverie. As we step out of the car an icy wind whistles through the fenced-off section of JFK where his jet awaits, crouched on the runway like a gleaming insect.
