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“We live in the shadows. Oh, not really in the shadows, but we do have to be careful. The world sees one face, and it’s exhausting sometimes, living that way. So, I’m afraid you don’t have a choice when it comes to marriage. You will marry Alden because all that money can be used to do amazing things like save lives and help people. I’m not going to stop doing what I do just because you won’t put your name down on a piece of paper. I’m sure you can find it in your heart to say a few words you don’t mean and sign the deal. We’ll get you a discreet divorce soon after.”

“I’m sure Alden already told you that if you don’t want to be a part of this—and I can understand how you don’t really know what you’d be signing up for—you can’t go back to living your normal life. You’re going to have to change your identity again just to be safe, and you’ll have to take your parents and disappear for a good long while. Like forever. But the sweet part is, you’ll have a good chunk of cash to do it with, and who doesn’t like money?”

I’ve heard just about enough of the long-winded, we’re so great, we need the money to save the world, blah, blah, blah bullshit. If this is seriously my new reality, I’m not going to go quietly into any damn darkness. I cross my arms over my chest and give Scarlet a sassy, fearless expression. Or, at least, I try to. She just sits there and smiles at me sweetly, and somehow that’s scarier than if she was threatening me with some kind of brutal torture.

This woman plays with men she likens to badgers. Duh. Obviously, she’s not afraid of you.

Still, I try. I know I have some power here. Namely, my name on a marriage document. If I’m not willing to write it out, can they force me? God, I really don’t want to know. But still, I’m not going down quietly.

For all I know, they could be selling me one great big pack of doody poo lies. They could be the real bad guys. They do wear an awful lot of black, after all, and everyone knows black is the best for getting blood stains out. Or not showing them. Yipes.

Until I’m sure that these people are who they say they are, I’m not signing anything. One thing’s clear. They need me. They can’t just do away with me, so I have some leverage. Maybe I can use that to escape. But to escape, I have to get out of this darn nasty basement.

“A bath,” I say imperiously. “I want a bath and a glass of water. I also want a fresh set of clothes and a nap. And hard proof. I’m not signing anything, marrying anyone, or helping out in any way until I know that I’m not just feeding the machine you keep talking about.”

Something dark and wounded flashes through Scarlet’s eyes. It should make her more fearful, but instead, it makes her more human. She doesn’t deflate or move so much as an inch. Her regal bearing remains the same, and her face doesn’t change, but it was there—that flash in her luminous eyes. Eyes so strange for an old woman, so young and alive. I didn’t miss it.

She carries herself well and hides her weakness. It’s just an off chance that I caught whatever that was. Then, she claps her hands, stands up, and offers me her arm like we’re old friends.

“A bath it is. And whatever you want to drink. I’ll even let you pour it yourself, so you can be sure we’re not putting weird mumbo jumbo into it. Plus, you can order some decent pizza. My grandson and his men have incredibly questionable tastes when it comes to good pie. I’m starving, so we can split it as long as it doesn’t have anchovies or lettuce on it. After you’ve eaten, you can have a good long rest, and in the morning, I’ll provide some hard evidence for you. You’re not a prisoner, but you’re here for your own safety. I hope you understand that. There are people out there who would like nothing more than my old gray head on a platter. So, you’ll do an old woman a favor and stick around, won’t you?”

“My parents,” I choke. “If I’m not safe….”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already posted men around your parents’ house, conspicuously keeping watch. They’ll follow them to work and everything. Your parents won’t know they’re there, but they’ll keep them safe.”

“This is insane,” I grumble as I slip my arm into Scarlet’s.

What choice do I have? Plus, she probably needs steadying going up the stairs in those crazy high heels. Just because these people kidnapped me doesn’t mean I want to see granny stare death gore. I very, very much don’t want to see that. I really do just want some water and a bath.

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