the end of the long, cobblesto

ing the collar of her trench c

ed, and Miller the butler stood there. He gave her a brief

rand foyer, the sound of

oom. Burke was standing over Brielle, who w

ack!" Brielle wailed.

lle sat up, wiping her eyes, and glared at her. "You

mpletely. She looked at

speak, but a heavy, rhythm

Thud

the main staircase. He leaned heavily on a wooden cane, h

my house?" the General bellowed, his

pine stiffening. "Sir, this is a

a. "A Woods girl, breaking off an engagemen

gaze without flinching. "General, this is between

at her steel. Then his anger redirected. "If it's over, it's over!

, Daddy? It's just a piece o

e floor. The crack was like a gunsho

mouth hanging open.

don't steal! We don't wear other people's scraps like beggar

hot a venomous look at Christina, then fle

eral's hand shot out, grabbing his

silence. Christina felt a grim satisfact

glare on her. "Take you

curt nod. "Than

ly defeated. He signaled to Mill

turned carrying a small velve

e silver pendant sat nes

There, on the surface, were three deep, fresh scratches ac

is face hard. "Take it. A

k, raced up her arm. She snapped the box shut and slipped it into the deep pocket of her

. Behind her, she heard the General start to berate

locked the doors. Her hands were shaking. She

the estate shrinking in the rearview mirror. The ca