As President of the Cook County Commissioner’s Board, she controls the purse strings of massive publicly-funded projects from parks to infrastructure. She also has an iron-clad grip on the liberal democrats of New York. Without ever appearing to stick her finger in the pie, she manages to get whoever she wants appointed to key positions like city treasurer or state’s attorney.She is shrewd and subtle, and not at all someone I want to get on my bad side. So I’m almost sick at the thought of Julia saying something obnoxious in front of her.As she approaches, I hiss to Julia, “Behave yourself. That’s Marilyn—”“I know who she is,” she interrupts, rolling her eyes.“Marilyn,” my father says, “you know our son Calester. He’ll be running for the Alderman seat in the 43rd Ward in a few weeks’ time.”“Excellent,” Marilyn says. “It’s about time we had someone in there with some vision.”“What sort of vision are you hoping for?” I ask her. “Maybe someone who can keep Lincoln Park in one piece

He turns and stomps away. I look around for another drink.In the last week, I’ve had enough of the Geralds to last me a lifetime. And we’re only just getting started in our new “close-knit” relationship.Donald can take his protective older brother schtick and shove it up his ass.He thinks Julia has some vulnerable side?I doubt it.She’s an animal, just like her brothers.Which means she needs to be broken.Osmond wasn’t able to tame her—she ran right over him. Made a fool of him, publicly. Well, she’s not doing that to me. If Julia is a rock, then I’m the fucking ocean. And I’m going to beat against her, over and over, wearing her down one pebble at a time. Until I’ve broken her up and swallowed her whole.*****JuliaThe whole next week is wasted in idiotic wedding planning. Imogen Green is handling most of it, because the Greens are control freaks and my family doesn’t give a shit what the wedding looks like. Still, she expects me to approve seating arrangements and flowers and

I love the idea of her being primped and cleaned and waxed to my specifications. Like a little doll, built just the way I like it.I’ve already showered and shaved, so now it’s time to put on my tux. But when I check the hook in the closet where I expect it to be hung, there’s nothing there.I call down to Marta, one of our house staff.“Where’s my tux?”“I’m sorry, Mr. Green,” she says nervously. “I went to the shop to pick it up like you said, but they told me the order had been cancelled. A box was shipped here instead, from Ms. Gerald.”“A box?”“Yes, shall I bring it up?”I wait impatiently in the doorway while Marta jogs up the stairs, a large, square garment box in her hands.What the hell is this? Why is Julia fucking with my tux?“Leave it,” I say to Marta. She sets the box down gingerly on my couch.I wait until she’s gone, then I open it up.On top is an envelope, with the messy handwriting I can only assume belongs to my fiancée. I rip it open, pulling out a note:Dearest

“I’ll show you your room,” she says.I follow her up the wide, curving staircase to the upper level.I’ve been here once before. I already know what lies to the left: the girls’ rooms, and the master suite belonging to Imogen and Fergus.Imogen turns right instead. We pass the library, which gives no hint of smoky ruin. I can’t resist peeking inside. Looks like Imogen already renovated, replacing the carpet and repainting the walls. They’re pale blue now, with shutters over the windows instead of curtains. Even the fireplace got a facelift, with a new white stone facade and a glass enclosure for the grate.“No more accidents,” Imogen says drily.“Much safer,” I agree, not sure whether to laugh or be embarrassed.We walk down a long hallway to another private suite, similar in size to the master. When Imogen opens the doors, I realize we’re in Calester’s room. It&rs

He cupped her cheek, holding her close. “If you wish to leave to join your pack, you may do so. They’ll take care of you giving you a home.”“Do you want me to go?” Only a minute ago he’d been telling her how much he loved her, and now he was telling her this. Christal felt torn in two on what to think.John held her face, staring into her eyes. She saw the pain in his dark brown depths. “No, I don’t want you to go, but I don’t want you to feel forced to stay here. I love you, Christal. I want to mate with you. This is a choice you’re going to have to make.” He kissed her lips, pulling away. “The curry smells amazing. I need to run,” he said, turning toward the door.Unable to stop him, she watched him tear his clothes off and change within the next second.“He’s scared,” Dick said, bringing her attention back into the room.“Scared? Scared of what?” She was confused, and she hated the feeling.“John is outlawed, and he bought you. I know you didn’t have the best start in this relatio