is face a mottled mask of humiliation and rage. He shot

me," h

She didn't look at Coretta, who stood frozen on the steps, watching her with na

ed with expensive oil paintings of dead Steele ancestors sneering from their gilt frames. Thomas didn't lead her to the guest win

. They reached the top floor-a cramped, low-ceilinged hallway. Thomas stopped in front of a heavy, sc

uel smirk twisting his thick lips. "Fi

urned and retreated, his heavy foot

smell of old paper and mothballs. A single narrow bed with a thin, lumpy mattress was pushed against the far wall.

nd sat. The springs groan

halls below was suffocating-thick with lies, hidden cameras, and constant surveillance. U

of tomorrow night's birthday banquet, every varia

ner heels on the wooden floorbo

shoved open. It ban

s emblazoned with high-end designer logos. Coretta immediately pressed a lace handkerchief

the lace. "This dust. How can Grandmother m

voice was entirely betrayed by the gleam of absolute, glittering triumph in her

ief and snapped her fingers a

opping bags onto the thi

her's birthday banquet tomorrow," Coretta said, her voice dripping saccharine sw

dn't look at the bags. She kept h

gest bag, grabbed a fistful

n sequins. The neckline plunged practically to the navel. The hemline was barely long enou

body, striking a mock-model pose. "You're going to be the cente

at the designer tags. She was waiting for Ginny to thank her profusely for

und was the faint rustle of the neon s

y stood up

forming a slow, chilling smile. It didn't

ok a ste

cramped room suddenly felt thick, oppre

tain slump of the country girl vanished, replaced by a fluid, p

t in her body screamed at her to move

ng. Slow. Delibe

uneven floorboards. She stumbled, her back slamming

foot away. The physical

e clutched the neon-green monstrosity to her chest

ied. She swallowed and forced it out agai