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PROLOGUE

Abigail

“I will kill her now”—Paul Gri me jump—“or you can save her You decide”

He had the look of a man not to be trifled with Tall and lean, he seemed as if he’d been stretched on a Medieval rack His curly hair was tamed with pomade, and the cut of his suit was the latest fashion But he was anything but a gentleun to my friend’s head

I glanced over my shoulder at the man, one of Mr Grimsby's oversized and brutish lackeys, who blocked the room’s only exit

“What… what is it you want from me, exactly?” My voice was shrill with nerves Sweat trickled down betweenmy hands as my knees practically knocked I hadn’t been invited to the Grimsby house, I’d been accompanied by the man at the door and another who had ventured off so house The journey across Butte fro school was only ten blocks or so, but it had felt inter ways to escape the kidnapped was at the top of the list of possibilities But the two henchmen who’d flanked me had warned if I so much as waved to someone on the street, my school friend Tennessee Bennett would be killed

I remember the first time I met her, commented on her unusual name She’d said her parents nainia were fine names, but she’d been burdened with Tennessee, a definite mouthful

“Money, of course,” he replied evenly A clock on the mantel over the fireplace chimed the hour The roo but

It seemed Mr Grimsby had every intention to do so Kill Tennessee, that was Shockingly, he’d already killed her father who’d coraduation and to accompany her back to North Dakota Mr Grilanced at Tennessee, sitting stiffly in a high-backed chair, her usually bright complexion noweyes, tears streaotten herself into this predicaer for a suitor, she’d been bold with her attentions for Mr Grimsby, one of the more successful and wealthy businessht hi—and, most importantly, a bachelor

Eager for money over love, she’d wanted to land a rich husband but had lied to Mr Grimsby about the wealth and station of her fa She wasn’t a railroad heiress as she’d said, siuise was innocent enough and done by hout time to improve her lot in life, but Mr Grimsby seemed to want Tennessee’s nonexistent inheritance more than the woman herself He wasn’t as rich as he seemed, either If he weren’t a madman, they’d make a perfect match But when the truth caed; her father’s dead body left in the street and the black eye on her face were indication of this

And the gun pointed at her head

“I don’t havemy lips

“You don’t have looks, but you’ve got money”

Mr Gri akin to revulsion, and he shook with rage I was used to being taunted about lad he had not found any kind of attraction to entle hearted “I know your background, your brother You est ranches in this corner of the territory”

I was surprised he wasn’t forcing h, he would overlook the scar But no He was too vain for the likes of me and wanted a beautiful bride Tennessee Not ured

“Land and cattle That’s all he has,” I replied “I can’t bring you a cow”

I bitto say, for he while he dropped the gun frorabbed my arm I cried out at his cruel hold Flinched