ra'

n't s

oul

udding too loudly in the dark. The card with Vincent Castille's

aunted every

laug

hu

me "Mira" when h

o

for. Caught in a nightmare left behind by a

eam. To cry. To

mbs heavy with dread. I picked up

nt De

would chan

ns and an old coat with a loose button. The sleeve

afford pr

ding was nothing

t smiled in years. I stood out the second I walked in. I felt every eye on

I belonged. "I'm here to see Vincent Devereux," I said. The

ed. "But he's

part boredom-and picked up the ph

she nodded slo

not hiding her surprise

suit appeared beside

dn't

ed toward t

r the ding as we rose floor after floor. My reflection st

eterm

anding near the window, back turned, hands behi

turning around. "You're eithe

," I answer

if I'd passed some invisible test. "H

forcing the words out.

narrowed,

with them right now. He's just a kid. They won't

nd

my condition. You get your bride, your dea

ng me like a businessman studies a fragile deal

n't say yes u

he temperature had dropped with every seco

ally e

and," he muttered. "That's

ct that he knew that detail alread

it done,

"You'll p

I want a signed agreement from you. Today. No delays. You will marry my g

choed. "And the

million dollars in your name. Untouched. Tax-f

dry. My han

s this family in any way, if you break the contract or try to di

his

your money," I said. "

thing flickered behind his cold eyes. May

orrow," he said. "I'll

and turne

Wynt

d at th

the right cho

n't r

asn't sure

st...

*

he window, phone clut

ame just a

was

No bruises. No cuts. Just shaken. Confused.

Said something about a rich

d my eyes. "

so. Where are you

o stay with Mrs. Bennett f

pressed the ph

as s

else around me had just changed forever. I

mo