ella

allpaper, with its sharp geometric patterns in gold and black, felt like a cage closing in.

o my side. She was a small, bird-like girl with eyes too large for her face, t

en to my own ears. I sank onto the edge of the heavy mahogany bed. "They plan to make me Jaret's *amante*(

at's a sin! We must write to your father, Mr. Wilder. Sur

a man who had clawed his way up to become a trusted *Associate* of the Chicago Outf

the Frazier family's muscle to protect his shipping routes. In exchange, he gave them his daughter and a mountain of gold. To Albin, I am a commodity. If Jaret ke

ty of our world stripping away her

e Chicago skyline loomed in the distance. "And the sharpest blade in this city belongs to t

e outer courtyard

? Are you

rbon, carrying a warmth that used to make m

to the window, peering through the screen. "

," I commanded, my v

h. Jaret stood in the moonlight, looking every bit the tragic he

t, sir," Elyse

derness. "Tell her I'm thinking of her. I thought perhaps we could visit the

ce,* I thought, my te

ons for now, sir," Elyse rep

lingering on the window, a heavy, possessive weight. Finally, he

. "I carved it myself.

ooden songbird, its wings spread as if to fly, yet its feet were carved directly i

hild lay dying in my arms, the life bled out of him because Alexandria Kane decided a mistress's brat had no right to the Fra

rd. He had been a par

his prayers or his wooden toys. I needed the gala. I needed the sapphire. And I needed to w