From Gilded Cage To Unchained Queen

Barnet

lenging me. I met his gaze, my breath catching in my throa

me closer, the space between us closing. His lips fo

it always did. A silen

he left an envelope on the bedside table. Th

more. Not truly. It was about the way he gave it,

was the only way to escape the gold

escent lights of the lab a stark contrast to Chri

our father's experimental treatment is

me. "That's wonderful, Mom! Don't worry

which, when are you bringing that handsome young man to meet us prope

Christopher and me at a public event, where he' d actually s

r from the beginning. "Our arrangement

se. "I'm so busy with my studies. And he's trav

pounding. The lie fe

s, petri dishes, research papers. An

topher. Wear the black

he lab, absorbed in a complex calculation. When I finally looked

dress, and managed a quick swipe of l

said, a polite nod. "Mr. Kirkland asked me

ation. My ticket out. "Thank you," I s

Then I would be gone. D

with lights. "You can go," I told the assistant

he room hushed, then erupted in murmurs. Christo

od ran

lips curved in a triumphant smile. Her hair was swept up, diamonds glitt

er fingers laced through his. He looked down at her,

hisper, her gaze raking over me. "Looks li

in Chaney. Whispering in her ear, his hand

stole my breath. I stumbled back, findin

ice boomed, listing off rare artifacts

ntage sapphire pendant, believed to be from the earl

mother' s necklace. The one she' d sold years ago to pay for

me. I remembered her telling me about it, how it was

r the woman who had sacrific

dred thousand!" My voice w

s doing. My stipend, my savings, even the mon

A woman's voice, clear

aze darted to Christopher. He was smiling at he

!" I raised my paddle a

ng sound that grated on

th hitched. This was more

then at Chaney. "One million

He leaned in, his voice audible in the hushed room. "B