in a neat scrawl of silver pen, is a message that has goosebumps rising on every bared surface of my skin.
I look forward to seeing you in that dress. I’ll be waiting, little mouse. C
My stomach tumbles wildly, and my chest tightens with awareness. Ice takes hold of me, skirting down my spine, as if his words were tattooed on my skin. He’s been here, he’s seen me, and I have no clue what he looks like.
I didn’t think to ask the girls. The only thing I had been concerned about was the invite. After seeing Keirin, I thought perhaps he’d be just as handsome, but now I realize the girls did tell me that they’re all adopted. Not blood brothers.
“Hey, are you asleep in there?” A giggle comes from outside the room, knocking me out of the stupor I’d been thrown into.
“No, I’ll be right out,” I call to them, before setting the card down and changing into the dress. The moment it slips over my body, I feel different. As if material could transform me from a peasant to a princess.
The fluttering of my heart makes me smile. I’ve always enjoyed dressing up, even though I don’t do it often enough. If Creed Haven thinks he can play games with me, he’ll understand his mistake the moment I find him.
Because I will slap some sense into him.
I may be a girl, but I’m not someone who can be toyed with. Growing up the way I did ensured I would always be able to look after myself. My father taught me at a young age how to defend myself against anyone.
But that didn’t help your heart against Devon.
Shaking my head of the reminder, I open the door to the fitting room and step out into the main area of the store. All three sets of eyes land on me, and once more, they’re wide with excitement.
“Yes!” they all shout at once.
Looks like I have a dress. Now all I have to do is go to the ball.
Rolling over in bed, I glance at the clock glaring at me with large red numbers. A warning. I’m meant to be asleep, resting, but I can’t. It’s two in the morning, and I’ve been struggling to sleep since ten last night.
The cards have been haunting me. Creed’s words have been replaying in my mind since I left the store. We stopped and had lunch, but even then, I couldn’t focus on the conversation and ended up coming home early.
The chill in the apartment has seeped into my veins, and I push off the bed and pad to the radiator, turning it up, so the place can warm. Even though winter is coming, and November will be here soon, this is ridiculously cold. Fall has always been my favorite season, the brown and orange leaves along with sweaters and pumpkin-spiced lattes, but winter is a whole other story.
Perhaps it’s because I’m not at home. Maybe it’s because this new town has twisted me up in its dark secrets, and I’m no longer the city girl but someone else.
That’s why my dad sent me away. To be someone other than the girl who fell in love with the wrong boy. I know he wanted me far from the shitstorm I’d created, but I wonder just what he’s doing to fix it.
He hasn’t confirmed if Devon has been taken care of, and even the thought of it makes me shiver. My father is dangerous. The man I fell in love with, one of his foot soldiers, stole something valuable because I was stupid enough to trust him.
When Dad found out I’d been sleeping with Devon, he lost his mind, hence the reason I’m here. I’ve been the cause of my father’s disappointment for so long, it doesn’t hurt as much anymore.
At twenty, you’d think I’d be all grown up. You’d be led to believe I’m an adult, already in college, working toward a degree. But I’m nothing more than a pawn in my father’s empire.
And my life will always be this—a chess game for men to push the pieces around, until I’m fighting a losing battle. At first, I didn’t want to come to Thorne Haven, but Dad insisted. He told me Devon was dangerous, and they would take care of it.
I know what that means—Devon will lose his life because he made the mistake of taking what wasn’t his to take. Besides the money and jewels, which were family heirlooms, he got my virginity