an's

toes. The maid's smile grew wider, an

e softened sligh

iety building with each s

th intricate carvings. The guard kn

oln's deep vo

e room was dimly lit, with only a sin

said, dismiss

oln. His masked face seemed impassive, but h

id, his voice low and husky.

unsure how

ed to a nearby

trying to

ur new home?" he asked,

f what to say, did he

ncoln leaned forward, his voi

ing clear, Vivian

g. Please, let me go back to my family. I don't want

through my desperatio

tone laced with amusement. "

tly. "Yes, plea

er. "Did they tell you that whoeve

eart

me?" I shouted, meeti

re trespassing, but I'll let it pass since today's your first day

ed. "What

ut your family will pay the price," he

. "Their lives? How

impassive. "Option two: Stay

led, ho

lap. My family's smiling faces sta

fear gripp

" I thought, my gaze

I asked, desper

old. "You're paying f

tion settling in. "It seems

amily's photo,

Lincoln pressed, impat

. "I'll stay here an

"I thought you were despera

in. "Wicked souls like you," I

s!" Lincoln warned, his

ack down, my gaze

ople to stay," I spat. "Yet,

d glacial. "I offered you

otect my famil

hed with anger, but

ed, his voice firm. "Don't break t

his gaze in

ne: Don't

ow, intrigued. Ho

Lincoln conti

ever break any

rules? I wondered,

ess me as 'Lord Lin

es nar

n designated areas. Cert

mitting the r

out my past or personal life." What

sk seemed to

mmunication with t

eart

will be rewarded. Bet

ice dropped

vian, I'm alw

ser, his prese

, and your fami

wed hard

" I said, forc

, his expressi

them?" I asked, t

don't repeat myself," h

tting the better of me. "W

re breaking one of my rules, V

back, realiz

ping with menace, "you're standing t

ticing my feet wer

ck," he

d, creatin

coln cautioned, "my rul

de to be broken," I smir

ission to leave," Linco

of problems," I groane

quickly recalled the ru

Lincoln asked, hi

that before kidnapp

turned icy, a

en," I

whispered, his vo

of intrigue be

n ordered, pointi

feeling his pierc

w to obey," he said, hi

eager to escape the o

I glanced back, meeting

e into my soul, sendin

e room, slamming the

and quickly covered my m