Victoria gave a mocking laugh. "No wonder Tiana's into you! You really are a smooth-talking, cunning little thing. Tell me, did she give herself to you yet?"

Andrew frowned. "Mrs. Peck, what exactly are you implying?"

Victoria smirked. "Exactly what it sounds like. Has that bitch Tiana been keeping you as her little boy toy? All that talk about treating you like a beloved son-in-law—I don't buy it for a second. Knowing her and how shameless she is, I'd bet anything she made you her personal plaything."

Andrew's face darkened. "Mrs. Peck, I suggest you watch what you say. Mrs. Rhodes is my mother-in-law—nothing more, nothing less. And let's be clear, I'm not some plaything you women can toy with on a whim.

"I don't care if it's my mother-in-law or you, if either of you push me too far, I'll push right back. I don't care if you're older or a woman."

Victoria froze for a second. The sudden burst of defiance and raw presence in Andrew reminded her of someone from long ago, someo