The Devil's Deals

a's

s. I wiped it off with the back of my hand, feeling the coarseness of the maid's uniform scratch ag

e while, reeking of alcohol and bad decisions. It was at this time of night that he always came back home, expecting everything to shine like new

d once been a very different place indeed. There was life in this place then, before the death of my father and stepm

rse. One more year. Just one more year, and I'd inherit my grandfather's estate. Wit

d, and instantly quickened my heartbeat. His heavy footsteps grew louder,

like a knife. The stench of whiskey already fi

his neck, his shirt untucked. He looked like he'd been in a bar fight, but I knew better. His disheveled appe

eye, and grinned. "You've been quiet lately. Sulking around li

ed steadily. Never give him t

me kind of princess waiting for her happy ending. Let me guess-you a

to bring it up quite so bluntly. "I'm just doi

ou, little sister. You're not go

ittle. My eyes narrowed. "W

of over your head, the food you eat, the clothes on your back. You re

ed, my voice shriller than I meant

sped in pain. Suddenly, his face was inches

took a backward step. "

hirt as if he hadn't just assau

e gut. "What?" My voice came out a

he languid appreciation of a man savoring some

ntry, rumored to be ruthless and deadly, untouchable. The rumors of people disappearing into thin air-the rivals wiped out in brutal acts o

ce shook. "You

her on his face. "In two days, you're going to marry Da

edge to hold myself up. Sold. I had been so

ing my head. "You can't sell me l

e like selling a cow. And guess what? Dante's going to m

front of him. I wouldn't give him that satisfa

you're nothing but a burden. You've always been a

One year was all I needed, one year before I could get free, and now after two days, I was to be

t of the kitchen, but I was frantic

ena. Within two days, you will be a Moretti. If I were y

-

ring silence. I felt myself drowning, gasping for air and findi

o

was to marry a monster, a man who had no regret over killing others, who h

rry him. But what could I do? Where could I go? Dante Moretti's reach was big. If I ran, he'd

nything-that would keep me f

stepped inside, in black suits, their faces unreadable. They looked like bod

stepped forw

d hard. "W

," the man said, his voice flat and

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