anna

d twisted the lock behind me. Th

wood, the image from the study burned into my mind. Then, a co

I needed

p shelf. They landed on the plush carpet with a soft thud. I threw them open

hands trembled as I shoved the bills into a side pocket, a fe

or the staff quarters. "Martha," I said, my voice low and steady

aker was the only reply be

ersonal maid and the closest thing I had to a friend in this gilded cage, rushed i

ady,

r argument. "Go to the underground garage. Get the black

ty won out. She gave a single, sharp nod and hurried out, he

zipper on one of the bags snagged. Frustration, hot and sharp, flar

n bag and moved to my jewelry box. Not for sen

g footsteps, much clumsier than Martha

junior maids, her face pa

d rush. "The guards... they've doubled the patrol in the east wi

ight, snaked up my spine. My hand

s and pulled them aside just enough

king figures stood there, werewolves from Cameron's personal guard. They wer

't just a

just seduced my mate; she

om into the adjoining private study. There had to be another way

f the antique desk where

began to bubble in my throat. I grabbed the heavy brass paperweight, a m

way. I tore the drawer open a

eled 'Blueprin

t was

had ta

of agony lance through my chest, ten times sharper than be

cry escaping my lips. Cameron was doing it. He w

hed forwa

lpha energy pushing her away. She stumbled back

f to stand straight, my spine rigid. From the bottom of the broken drawer, my fingers closed around the cold, familiar hil

ssage from Martha. SUV compromised.

path was cut off.

o your room," I commanded, my voice flat and devoid of emoti

her feet and fl

round the room that was supposed to be my sanctuary, now the heart of my prison. Wit

n the west side of the estate. The

into the

he lights

d into absolute darknes

, guttural growl. Then another, answe

nt had