“So am I. You look…perfect.” And she did. The slim black dress was simple, but showed off her gorgeous figure and the black lace pumps were a little naughty, a nice contrast to the strand of pearls around her throat. She’d left her hair down, creating a new desire in him to run his hands through it. The blazing diamond on her finger stood out like a beacon.

She looked classy and sexy and just slightly unattainable. Perfection. His heart clenched at the sight of her. His fake fiancée.

“Thank you. You look very nice too.” She stayed by the door, hands clasped and looking rather unsure of herself.

He realized she must be racked with nerves. He lifted his glass. “Would you care for a drink? Might help take the edge off.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I can’t risk losing control. What if I slip up and do something wrong?”

The worry bracketing her mouth cut him. She was doing this for him. Bearing this stress, all in the hopes of winning a job. “You won’t do anything wrong. You can’t. Whatever happens tonight, happens. The job is yours, Tessa. No matter this evening’s outcome. You’ve already done more than enough for me. Come on, have a drink and relax a little. One won’t hurt. And it might take the edge off.”

She walked toward him, eyes rounding a little. “You mean that, about the job? You’re definitely giving it to me?”

He nodded as he poured her a whiskey. “Yes. You’ve earned it. And I don’t mean just because of this favor you’re doing for me. You’re exceptionally qualified.”

“Thank you.” She hesitated, then leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Her perfume teased his senses and he smiled wryly. “Was that a test?”

“No. That was just a thank you. Although I suppose I shouldn’t be kissing my boss.”

“I’m not your boss yet.” He handed her the glass, then picked his up and knocked it against her. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” She took a cautious sip.

The doorbell rang.

Sebastian smiled, doing his best to ease her mood. “That will probably be one of my brothers.”

Delaney’s and Hugh’s voices rang out from the foyer. Greaves showed them into the library a few minutes later.

“Hi, Tessa.” Delaney gave Tessa’s arm a squeeze. “How are you feeling? You look fantastic.”

“Thanks, so do you. I’m feeling okay. A little nervous.” Tessa lifted her glass. “This is helping.”

“I’m sure it is.” Delaney laughed. “How were the chocolates? Are they all gone?”

“Not yet. Of course, that’s assuming my sister didn’t eat the rest for breakfast.”

As the two women chatted, Hugh sidled up to Sebastian. “You ready for this?”

“Yes. One way or the other, things have to change between Evangeline and me.”

Hugh nodded. “That’s for damn sure.”

“Whiskey?”

“I’d rather have wine. You have any red?”

“Not in here.”

Before Sebastian could ring for Greaves, the doorbell sounded again.

Julian strode into the library a few moments later. “Isn’t this cozy? Evangeline not here yet?”

They all answered him in unison. “No.”

“All right then.” He poured himself a glass of whiskey. “What’s the plan?”

“Reinforce our story. Whatever we say, go with it. Keep the conversation light. Steer Evangeline away from any probing questions,” Sebastian said. “But above all, if anything goes wrong, protect Tessa.”

Delaney made a worried face. “You think if Evangeline finds out this is all a ruse, she’ll try to hurt Tessa? What kind of woman is your ex-wife?”

“Wife,” Julian corrected. “They haven’t actually gotten a divorce.”

Hugh glared at his brother. “After this many years of separation, it’s a formality.”

“True. But Evangeline would probably disagree with you.” Julian sipped his drink and went off to join the women.

Hugh gave Sebastian a nod. “Tessa won’t come to any harm. Evangeline’s outnumbered.”

“Numbers won’t keep her insults at bay. She won’t lay hands on Tessa, but she will try to eviscerate her with words if given the chance.”

Delaney linked her arm through Tessa’s. “Then we just won’t let that happen, will—”

The doorbell rang again and everyone in the library fell silent. Sebastian’s entire body tightened with resolve.

Evangeline had arrived.

The dining room was beautiful, the food was delicious and five of the six guests at the table were firmly on Tessa’s side.

None of that kept her from feeling like a woman on trial. Was this how the dying souls on the battlefields felt when her valkyrie sisters came to collect them?

If so, it was horrifying, and confirmed her decision to live her life as far removed from her lineage as possible.

Evangeline was tremendously beautiful. Tessa knew some of that was due to her being a vampire. The turning magnified a person’s human beauty. Evangeline must have been stunning as a mortal. Her skin was as perfect as a picture in a magazine, her eyes bright and full of mystery, her hair dark brown and glossy except for a few streaks of red.

Compounding the matter, she was dressed impeccably in a cobalt blue dress that hugged her perfect body. Her make-up was equally perfect and she seemed to be unflappable, with the right response to every question and comment.