Cinderella And Prince Dom by Sydney St.Claire

who was paired with whom.”
    “But you knew this time.”
    Lucy looked guilty. “Yeah, I knew. I wasn’t happy about it.
    “You didn’t say anything.”
    “I couldn’t. That would have broken the rules.” Lucy looked miserable.
    Jaimie’s throat tightened, her stomach clenched, and her head pounded so hard she couldn’t hear what Lucy was saying. Chills skated up her spine. And she couldn’t breathe. She needed air. And space. She felt betrayed. She turned and left the room, but instead of returning to the ballroom, she ran down the hall, stumbling on the hem of her dress. Stopping, she yanked off her heels and ran barefoot out into the night. The clock had struck midnight.

Chapter Six
    Bryce watched Jaimie running across the grass into the dark. Worried she was taking so long, he’d seen her running down the corridor and out a set of French Doors that opened into one of the gardens. Lucy stood in the hall, looking miserable.
    It was clear Jaimie had somehow learned the truth. “How?”
    “Bo Peep has a big mouth. She was talking to her friend Mary. Jaimie overheard. Should I follow her?”
    “No. Go back in. I’ll take care of it.” He waited until he was alone then closed his eyes. He’d planned to tell her everything after the ball, including the fact that he’d fallen in love with her.
    “Dammit!” He should have told her that first night, once he was sure of her innocence.
    “What happened?” Glorie asked, her hand on his arm. Music from the ballroom filled the hall.
    “Someone let it slip who I was.”
    “Who?”
    “Bo and Mary. Take them off the list. They broke the rules.” Keeping identities a secret was first and foremost, after safe, sane, and consensual. He expected those in the club to respect one another and not gossip. “Monday, arrange for Jerri to be disciplined. If she doesn’t accept, she’s out of the club as well.”
    “What about her friend? Kari?”
    “She can watch.” He held up his hand. “No, she will watch. Better she learns there are consequences to breaking club rules.”
    He strode down the hall and out into the night. Nearing the cabin, he noticed the lights were on. He had his hand on the doorknob, but it opened and Jaimie rushed out, suitcase in hand. She still wore the gown. “Jaimie—”
    She held up a hand. “I don’t want to talk to you, Mr. Langston. You lied to me. You tricked me. You used me!”
    Bryce’s stepped in front of her. “No. I never lied to you, because I never told you my name. Nor were you tricked. You were promised a weekend of role-play with a prince of your dreams.”
    “Lying by omission is the same as lying. You used me.” She tried to shove past.
    Snagging her arm, he stopped her. “No.” His voice remained low. “I saw my chance to speak to you and learn the truth.”
    “So you put Lucy up to this?” Her eyes glittered with fury in the moonlight. She gripped the handle of her travel bag hard enough that her nails dug into her palm.
    Bryce shook his head. “No. Lucy put your name on the list months ago, long before you discovered the embezzling.”
    Jaimie wasn’t sure she believed him, but she did trust Lucy. Lucy would not have done anything to hurt her. That she had to believe. “She told me you never participate.”
    “I haven’t. Not since losing my wife.” He paused. “Until this weekend.”
    Shoving him back, Jaimie shot out, “Until me. You wanted to see if I was involved.”
    “Yes.” Bryce crossed his arms across his chest. “If it makes me a bastard, then so be it, but I had to know if you were part of the embezzling ring.”
    “I told you on the phone what happened. I gave you a detailed record, yet you still didn’t believe me. Obviously, you didn’t believe Lucy when she told you I was innocent?”
    “No.”
    His admission hurt. Far more than it should have. “You’re a bastard, Mr. Langston.” Jaimie elbowed him to get around him. She was going to the castle. Surely, there was a room