ella

f Moretti *Soldiers* thundered against the floorboards, their shouts echoing through the estate as the fire alarm finally wailed. Th

ainst the cold plaster of the servant's corri

chanism was no match for the heavy silver hairpin I pulled from my mes

was bound to a chair, a filthy rag shoved into her mouth. Her eyes

ntically at the coarse ropes. "I've got you,"

g. "*Signorina*... thank God. They drugged you.

to her feet. "But I need to

d the Irishman the western smuggling channels if he played along. They were going to let him have you in the secluded

d, Damien, and his family were willing to sell my life to a ri

I asked, my voice d

. Room four,"

ant's quarters and picked up a heavy, solid brass poker.

to the west wing, leaving the east corridors eerily deserted. Just as we neare

re Casey gets to her, the deal is off!" Adina's shrill voice

oker with both hands. As Carla rounded the corner first,

a squarely on the back of her neck. A sickening crack echoed,

he color drained from her arrogant

ght the hilt of the poker down hard against her temple. Adina's eyes r

Adrienne, my heart beating in a

he hall and kicking open the door to Room four. I threw my sister-in-law onto the center of the luxurious mattress. With ruthle

prey and the predator ha

ing at me, her breath hitching at

isper. "Hoy Casey is waiting for a signal. I need you to go down there, find him, and

rish boss. He was a monster who fed on the fear of women.

I am asking of you?" I

d for the family that had abused her hardened her features. She gave a

pang of guilt pierced my chest, but I crushed it instantly. To surv

Chicago wind whipped my face as I stepped into the snow-covered night, my hand slipping into