ispersed. Hattie signaled

d of old books, sandalwood, and history. It was cluttered with

er nurse. "Close t

e turned to find Hattie fumbling with a

," Hattie

the ottoman at

was heavy gold, inset with three massive, transluce

Hattie said. "It is the Liv

ly strong. She snapped the bracelet onto Florence's a

" Hattie said. "A

id. "Denese will be furious. Sh

e cares about status. This bracelet isn

looked up

isper. "It grants access. To the vault. To t

emeralds. They seemed t

s searching Florence's face. "Garnett... he has his fat

Hattie knew. Maybe not everything,

," Florenc

r bange

face twisted in rage.

inted a manicured finger at Flore

granddaughter-in-law,

e yelled. "You can't give it to her

se, cracking like a whip. "She is more family

t the bracelet with a hunger that was terrifyin

ut. Blossom glared at Fl

back in her chair, exhaust

he room. The ha

ting for her n

get too comfortable, Florence. That bra

old metal. "I'm strong

ppen, you know. Stairs are slippery. Foo

hreat. A d

ther-in-law. She was taller than

her voice low and dangerous, "or my baby, I

r heels clicking like guns