Once again, I’m a bit taken aback by Damon’s words. I suppose I should expect it by now because of my previous experiences with him, but his questions all feel a bit probing. “I apologize, Damon, but that’s my business,” I say. “I’m not sure if I’m willing to discuss that.” Damon’s eyes flash mo
Abby The lock slides into place behind me from the other side of the door. A soft gasp escapes my lips as I turn and try the door handle, and that’s when it fully hits me: Damon really did just lock us in here. “Let me go, Damon,” I say as calmly as I can. “This isn’t funny.” “Funny?” Damon le
I narrow my eyes and take a step back in a desperate attempt to put more space between us. “I’m not pretending. I’m not interested, Damon. Now let. Me. Go.” But it’s too late. Damon’s eyes flash dangerously again, and this time, they stay that way. Before I can bolt away, he lunges forward and gra
Abby The lock slides into place behind me from the other side of the door. A soft gasp escapes my lips as I turn and try the door handle, and that’s when it fully hits me: Damon really did just lock us in here. “Let me go, Damon,” I say as calmly as I can. “This isn’t funny.” “Funny?” Damon le
I narrow my eyes and take a step back in a desperate attempt to put more space between us. “I’m not pretending. I’m not interested, Damon. Now let. Me. Go.” But it’s too late. Damon’s eyes flash dangerously again, and this time, they stay that way. Before I can bolt away, he lunges forward and gra
Abby I feel like a fool for ever taking this opportunity to come here. Maybe if I hadn’t accepted it, none of this would have ever happened. Maybe I wouldn’t be locked in this room, maybe I wouldn’t be banging on the walls, maybe my friends would be safe. Hell, maybe Karl and I never would have
Karl The mansion is dimly lit and quiet as I slip in through the kitchen window; much unlike the way it was earlier when it seemed as if everyone and their mother was attending Damon’s gala. That could be either a curse or a blessing; if there are no guards, then I should be able to easily slip ar
“You snake,” I growl, advancing on Damon. “Set her free. Now!” Damon almost seems to shrink beneath me as I approach. My eyes flash dangerously, and his show nothing but fear. “I-I-I don’t know what that was,” he stammers. “The wind, likely, or—” “I won’t ask again.” My hand shoots out and I g
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha