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I chose the least offensive option: a black silk dress with long sleeves and a thigh slit. Classic. Elegant. Tactical. If I had to run, I’d be mobile. The matching stilettos wereoffensively perfect. Maybe I’d get luckier the next time and land that eyeball shot I’d been hoping for. Squish it right in there and cause some damage. They were nice ones, too. Red bottoms. Louboutins.

I sat at the vanity, brushing out my curls and applying the makeup left for me, as if I were preparing for a gala or a funeral. My hair had always been its own animal—wild, unpredictable, and only vaguely aware that I was the one it was attached to. It was long, naturally curly, and had a flair for the dramatic, as if it knew it was the first thing people noticed when I walked into a room. At its best, it was a sleek, coiled panther draped over my shoulders, all glossy shine and effortless allure. But most days? It was a feral creature with claws, frizzy and defiant, fighting every attempt I made to wrangle it into submission. Brushes? Laughed at. Serums? Momentary peace treaties. Silk pillowcases? A joke. I had stopped trying to tame it. These days, I just worked with the beast—my curls and I, an uneasy alliance at best.

The door creaked open.

I looked into the mirror to see the image reflected back at me. And I knew.

Renzetti.

He resembled a toad, with a broad, heavy-jowled face, a stocky build, and dark hair slicked back. He wore a three-piece suit by a tailor who was either inept or didn’t like him very much. There was too much shoulder padding, and the buttons weren’t right. He smiled at me, but his face felt all wrong. It was cold in a way that turned my stomach—it felt like a mask worn for too long, almost like a Halloween costume that melted in the sun.

His eyes were wrong. Empty. Cold.

"You must be Theodosia," he said, his smile slow and cruel.

I stood, spine straight. "And you must be that delusional asshole Carlotta mentioned.”

His eyes glittered, but I could tell he didn’t like it. "You’re just as charming as she described. I suppose I’ll need to teach you some manners.”

"Sorry to disappoint."

Something I learned long ago was not to worry about the preconceived notions people had about me. My goal on Earth wasn’t to be what people expected — least of all, this prick.

He took a step closer. I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

"You’ve caused quite the stir," he murmured. "Fiery. Spirited. Angelo’s little doll.”

"I don’t belong to anybody.”

I was startled by his comment. Was that why I was here? Was it because he thought Angelo had some attachment to me? He had crept closer, but there was nowhere for me to go. A chilling, gut-wrenching fear gripped me, yet I forced myself to stand still.

"Oh, but you are." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair off my cheek.

I slapped his hand away, unable to help the instinct to keep his hands off me.

He laughed, low and pleased. “I enjoy a challenge."

I smiled sweetly. "Good. Because you’re going to lose."

Renzetti’s smile thinned. "We’ll see about that. I expect you downstairs and on your best behavior in under five minutes. You’ll be escorted down, of course.” He added the last part as if he were granting me a favor. Then he turned and walked out, leaving behind thescent of expensive cologne and the stench of decay.

I stared at the closed door. My pulse was racing.

But my mind?

Raced faster.

I wasn’t going down like this. I’d memorize every hallway, every face, every weakness. If I had to burn this plantation to the ground in my Louboutins, so be it.

CHAPTER 14

THEODOSIA

The knock resonatedlike a drumbeat against my ribcage.

Three sharp knocks echoed, and then the door creaked open without waiting for an invitation. Manners? Apparently, they were not on the menu tonight. My favorite silent, mustached guard appeared in the doorway, looking as grim as ever, dressed in all black, as if auditioning for a role in a low-budget vampire flick.

"Let me guess," I said, smoothing the front of my black silk dress. “You’re here to walk me down the aisle to meet my kidnapper, Prince Charming?"