Prologue
NO ONE WANTED ME Iwas thrownawaylike trash, hiddenbehind locked doors and ivy-covered gates And after two yearsoflivingwithmygrandfather whowouldtell youIwasluckyhetookpityonme Iwasfinallyallowedtospeakto someoneotherthanthestaff Lucky me.
Tonight was my first dinner with a guest. It was always the staff and me. Sometimes, I ate in my bedroom when my grandfathercouldn’tstandthesightofme.Andonrareoccasions,thegreatandpowerfulFitzgeraldArchibaldAdamsIVsatat theoppositeendofthebanquettablefitforakingwithoutacknowledgingme.
Whenwecrossedpaths,hedidn’ttalk Heneverlookedatme.
Iwaslikewallpaper
Mycousinstrolledintothegreatroomdressedinablacksuit.BastianSalvatorewasaboutfiveorsixyearsolderthanmy elevenyearsandhadcaramel-coloredhairstyledoffhisforehead.Hisgrayeyeswerestriking,thefirstthingInoticedabout him.Andhecarriedhimselflikeanadult notateenager.
Mygrandfatherhadn’tcomedownstairsyet.Hewasstillinhisofficeonabusinesscall.
Bastianofferedhishandtome “I’mBastian Yourcousin Ourmothersweresisters”
Ismiledandshookhishand,thrilledtomeetafamilymember.“Nicetomeetyou,Bastian.I’mKatarina.” His expressionmirrored mine “That’s a prettyname Youknow, youlooklike your mother The two ofyoucould have beentwins.”
Everyonesaidthataboutuswhenshewasalive.
Our grandfather cleared his throat, and I turned my head to see him standing in the entryway He was polished and expensive,asusual,andwasthekindofmanwhodemandedtobenoticed.Thetypeofmanyouwonderedifhewasagod. Heappearedtwentyyearsyoungerthanhisageandwithnograyhair Neverwithoutasuit,mygrandfatherworehislike armor.
“You’realone?”GrandfatheraskedBastian “Where’sthatdirty,filthyanimalyoucallabrother?”
Like me, Bastian was an orphan. His parents died in a plane crash that was still under investigation, their murders a mystery.Butunlikeme,Bastianleftmygrandfather’sestate.HewasadoptedbytheSalvatoresandgotanewfamilythatcared abouthim
Bastian’s nostrils flared at mygrandfather. “Damianis at home,” he said withdisdainas he crossed the roomina few steps “Andhe’snotanyofthosethingsyouclaim Youdon’tevenknowhim” Grandfatherrolledhiseyes.“He’snotworthknowing.”
“Fitzy,” Bastiancountered as if he were one of the old man’s business partners “Let’s cut the shit, shall we? I’mhere becauseIwanttostartworkingatAtlanticAirlines.I’moldenoughtolearntheropes.”
Hefixedhisgoldcufflinkandsnickered.“You’reachild.Animbecilelikeyourfather.LikeIwouldeverletyourunthat company Youwoulddrivethestockpriceintotheground”
Ihadnoideawhattheyweretalkingabout.Grandfatherusedwordslikestock,portfolio,anddiversificationallthetime. HeownedmorecompaniesthanIhadsocks,andhewasoneofthewealthiestmenintheworld Hedidn’tletmeleavethehousetoattendschool.Iwaseducatedbyprivatetutorsunder hisroofandtaughthow tobea properlady.Ilikedreadingandwriting,anythingthatextendedmytimeinthelibrary.Itwasmyonlyfreedom.
AsGrandfatherturnedtoleavetheroom,Bastianslippedhishandinsidehisjacketpocketandpulledoutsomethingsilver andshiny. Akey?
Ashiverraceddownmyarms.Mygrandfatherwouldblameme.Heheldmeresponsibleforanythingthatwentwrongin thishouse
Helostmoneyonstocks. Itwasmyfault.
Hedidn’tlikethecook’sfood Itwasmyfault.
Ifollowedthemtothediningroomandtookmyplaceatthetable Bastiansatbesideme,hissmilewarmandfriendly,but he was sneakyand a thief. Mycousinhad guts and didn’t tolerate our grandfather’s attitude. He gave it backto him, and I wishedIhadthesamenerve
Webarelyspokemorethanfivewordsandateinsilence.Midwaythroughdinner,thephonerang.Grandfatheranswered, barkedatthepersonontheotherend,andlefttheroom.
Istuffedmyfacewithmeat,potatoes,andbreadbecauseIdidn’tknowwhenIwouldeatlikethisagain Bastianlaughedandpattedmyback.“Iknowwhatit’sliketolivewithhim.ButIpromiseyourlifewillgetbettersoon.” Iglancedupfrommyplateandswallowed,mystomachrumblingfromeatingsomuch “Ihavesevenmoreyearswithhim Andhegetsmeanereveryyear.”
“Tomorrow, you’ll move inwitha friend His name is JonathanHale He’s a colonel inthe Marine Corps He will take goodcareofyou.”
“What?”Istammered.“WhywouldI ” “Becauseyou’renotgoingtobeKatarinamuchlonger” Myeyebrowspinchedtogetherathisconfession.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?” Heswipedastrandofhairawayfromhisforeheadandsighed “You’reindangerhere” Mymouthfellopeninshock.“Becauseofmyfather?” Bastiannodded.
Icerushedthroughmyveins,chillingmefromtheinsideout.Ihadn’tseenmyfather intwoyears,notsincehekilledmy mother.
“Isheback?”
Another nod. “Youleave inthe morning.” Bastianplucked the keyfromhis pocketand opened his palmunder the table. “Katarina,Ineedyoutoholdontothisforme It’syourbirthrightasmuchasitismine”Heplacedthecoldmetalinmypalm “Guarditwithyourlife.”
“Butitbelongstohim,”Isaidinahushedtone,nervesshakingthroughme.“Whatifhefindsit?He’llkillme.” “You’refinallygettingoutofthisgodforsakenplace.”Heforcedasmile.“Whenwemeetagain,I’llshowyouwhattodo withthekey.”
“Whyareyoudoingthis?”
Mygrandfather’s Berluti oxfords tapped onthe tiled floor inthe hallway, comingcloser to us. The food rose frommy stomach,settlingintothebackofmythroat Icouldbarelybreathe Myheartpoundedsofast,theanxietyclawedatmyinsides Bastianmusthaveheardhimbecauseheleanedcloserandspokefaster,“IwishIcouldhelpyou,Katarina,butmyhands aretieduntilhereleasesmytrustfund.ThisisthebestIcandofornow.”
“Youcamehereforme?”Ipressedmylipstogethertostopthemfromquivering “Togivemethiskey?” Henodded.“Oneday,thiskeywillbuyyourfreedom.It’stheonlythingthatwillkeepyoualive.”Hekissedthetopofmy head “Goodluck,cousin Don’tloseit Anddon’tgetcaught”
TEN YEARS AGO, Idied,replacedbysomeoneelse KatarinaAdamsRomanovwasadistantmemoryofthepast Agirlwho laughedandlovedlife.Someonewhodidn’tknowtherealmonstersoftheworldwerewealthymeninsuits.
Someone knocked onthe door Chills raced downmyspine No one ever came to our house, not evenmydad’s work friends.Ipushedupfromthecouchandlookedthroughthepeephole. Itwasmygrandfather. Shit.
Ihadn’tseenhimsincehesentmetolivewithColonelJonathanHale,myadoptivefather.Themanwhogavemehislast nameandanewlife,onethatwastheclosesttonormalI’deverhad “Openthefuckingdoor,Grace!”Grandfatherpoundedhisfistonthewood.“Iknow you’reinthere.AndIknow youcan hearme,youlittlebrat”
Withasigh,Iopenedthedoor.FitzgeraldArchibaldAdamsIVstoodintheentryway,donningatenthousanddollarsuitand wearingawatchthatcostmorethanaFerrari.Hewaswealthierthanasultanandcarriedhimselflikeheownedtheworld.
“Hello,Grandfather,”Isaidwithamockingsmilethatmatchedtheannoyanceinmytone.“Howhaveyoubeen?”
Arumblethatsoundedlikeagrowlescapedhisthroatashepushedhispalmintomychest,throwingmebackwardsohe couldenterthehouse “Whereisyourgood-for-nothingfatherhiding?”
Iwouldneverusethosewordstodescribemydad.Heriskedhislifetoensuremysafetyandalwaysputmefirst. BeforeIcouldanswer,theColonelsteppedthroughthefrontdoor,slammingitbehindhim Hewasanhourlaterthanusual andworeaworriedexpressionthattuggedathisdarkfeatures.Helookedlikehe’dagedmonthssinceIsawhimthatmorning overbreakfast.
Hedroppedhiskeysontheentrancetable,andhisgazesweptacrosstheroominsurprise “Fitzgerald?”
“Youhaveanew assignment.”Grandfather movedhis hands tohis hips andsquaredoffwithmydad.“Onethatrequires youtoleaveimmediately”
Dad’seyesflickedtome.“WhataboutGrace?”
“She’scomingwithme”
AfterbeingGraceHaleforthepasttenyears,IbarelyrememberedKatarina.Thatgirlwasdead.Atleast,shewasmostof the time. Whenever the flashbacks and nightmares reared their uglyhead, mydad sentme to a doctor. Katarina disappeared alongwiththevividdreams
Besides,Gracehadamuchbetter life.Shewasn’taprisoner,eventhoughher lifestill sucked.Becauseofmylastname andwhatthatmeanttodangerous,powerfulpeople,Iwouldneverhaveanormallife
Dadshovedhishandsintohispockets,hisgazemovingbetweenus.“Whereareyoutakingher?”
Grandfather brushed a speck of lint off his black jacket and sneered “She’ll stay with the Marshalls until you return Questionandanswertimeisover,Colonel.”Hiscold,hardstareturnedtome.“Packyourshitandmeetmeinthelimo.You havefiveminutes,oryou’llwalktoDevil’sCreekfromhere.”
That was at least an eight-hour drive My pulse pounded in my ears as he walked away, disappearing outside within seconds.
“Dad,”Ichokedout “Whatthehellisgoingon?”
“Idon’tknow,Gracie.Asusual,yourgrandfatherisuptosomething.Buthewouldn’tbehereifyouweren’tindanger.” Inoddedinagreementandwalkedtowardmybedroom.“Ibetterpackabagbeforehefollowsthroughonhisthreat.” Mydadreachedunderthebedandsetasuitcaseonthemattress.“MarkMarshallismyoldestfriend.He’lltakegoodcare ofyou.There’snothingtofear.”
“Justmygrandfather,”Ideadpanned
He moved his hand to myshoulder and pulled me into a one-armhug. “There are four things Ivalue mostinthis world, Gracie duty,honor,country,andfamily Itrytoputyoufirst Youaremynumberonepriority Butyou’reanadultnowandcan
handleyourself.IliketothinkItaughtyouwell.”
“Youdid.I’velearnedtoadapttoanysituationbecauseofyou.”
After adding clothes and toiletries to my suitcase, I kneeled on the floor in my closet and flipped up a floorboard I retrievedthekeymycousinhadgiventome.Somehow,IknewIwouldneedthekeywhereIwasgoing.Callitinstinct.Itwas finallytimetoseewhatsecretstheoldmankeptfromme andwhythiskeywasmytickettofreedom
Dadtookthekeyfrommyhandandshoveditinsideagoldcompartmentnecklacehe’dgivenmeformytwelfthbirthday. He understood the keywas importantto The Founders Society, the secretsocietyrunbymygrandfather, buthe didn’tknow whatitopened,onlythatIneededtoprotectitwithmylife.
Hesecuredthechainaroundmyneckandkissedmyforehead.“Iloveyou,kiddo.”
Ihuggedhim,afraidtoletgo “Loveyou,Dad”Ashereleasedmefromhisgrip,Ilookedintohissad,browneyesandbit mylip.“You’vegoneonquickmissionsbefore.Nothingthatrequiredmetomovetoanotherstate.Whydoesitfeelpermanent thistime?”
Heglancedattheclockonthewallandsighed.“Yourfiveminutesisup,Gracie.Bettergetgoingbeforetheoldmantakes outhisangeronyou”
Chapter Two
“THESE PEOPLE KNOW who I really am,” Itold mygrandfather as the limousine journeyed up the steep hill “Does that meanIcangobacktobeingKatarina?”
The founders of Devil’s Creek and their children were aware of my situation They understood why my grandfather changed myname to Grace and sentme to live withColonel JonathanHale. I’d beenusingmynew name for tenyears. But sometimes,IwantedtoreturntothegirlIwasbeforemylifewenttoshit.
“You’renevertousethenameKatarinaAdamsRomanov,”mygrandfathersaidinafirmtoneasweheadeddownFounders Way.“She’sdead.”
“Idon’twanttopretendanymore” Iknewbetterthantospeakoutofturnwithmygrandfather.Sowhenheslappedmeacrosstheface,Iexpectedit.
“Don’tyoudaretalkback Ifnotforme,youwouldhavebeeninthefostercaresystem” If only I were that lucky… Irubbedmysorecheekandsighed.
Hisjawclenchedashestudiedmyface.“IshowedyoumercybysendingyoutolivewiththeColonel.”
My grandfather was the wealthiest man in the world. He owned banks, tech and oil companies, and a list of other businessesheprobablystrong-armedtheownersintoselling
Despitegrowingupwithsomuchwealth,Ineverhadanything.ForthetwoyearsthatIlivedwithhim,heimprisonedmein hismansionandhome-schooledme Ineverhadfriendsorlefttheconfinesofhishouse Welivedonthebeach,butheneverlet megobeyondthefrontgate.
Aftermymother’smurder,mygrandfathersentmyfathertoaprisononthesea.ButwhenIwaseleven,heescapedandhad beenlookingformesince Iftherumorsweretrue,myfatherwasanevilman Aterrorist.
Foryears,Isoakedupmyfreedomwithmyadoptivefather HegavemeeverythingIneverhadwithmygrandfather Wegot totraveltheworldandliveonmilitarybases.
My dad was like a brother to a man named Mark Marshall He lived in Devil’s Creek, a small town on the coast of Connecticut.Theresidentsweremygrandfather’salliesandloyaltohim. Wecouldtrustthem.
Myheartpoundedasthelimousinestoppedattheguardedgate IcouldseewhytheycalledthisplaceFortMarshall The estatelookedlikeanoldfortressonthesea,witharmedmendressedinblackcamouflageclutchingmachineguns. Youcouldn’tseemuchbeyondthehighbrickwalls ThehomewassetsofarbackonthepropertythatIcouldonlymake outapointedtowerthatremindedmeofarchitecturefromanothercentury.
Weparkedinfrontofthethree-storymansionwithdozensofwindowsandpaintedshutters Thiswasn’tahome.
Itwasacompound.
Asidefromthemainhouse,therewerefiveother buildings onthepropertythatIcouldsee Theyhadthreegarages with severalexoticcarsparkedoutfront.
“IbetternothearanythingbutpraisefromtheMarshalls”Mygrandfather’shauntingeyeslockedonme “Theyhavethree boys.Oneisyourage.Youareyourmother’sdaughter.Don’tgetanyideas.” Like what?
Heoftenmadebackhandedcommentsaboutmyparents.Ididn’tbothertoaskquestions.Mycheekstillstungfromhishand, andIdidn’twanttoangerhim.
Itwasbesttofollowhisrules
“Theboysarenottotouchyou,”hesaidwhenthedriveropenedthedoor.“Theyareunderstrictorderstokeeptheirfilthy handstothemselves AndIexpectyoutoactlikealady”
Ialmostlaughedinhisfacebutbitmytongue.Henevergaveadamnaboutme.Whywouldhecareifaboytouchedme?
“Doyouunderstandme,Grace?”GrandfathersaidwhenIdidn’tconfirm.
“Yes”
“TheColonelwillpickyouupattheendofthesummer,”mygrandfatheradded.“Ifyoutrytorun,Iwilldragyoubackto myestateandchainyoutothebasementfloor”Hepointedalong,bonyfingeratme “Thistime,youwon’tleavemyhouse” Ashiverrusheddownmyarmsathisthreat.Itwouldn’thavebeenthefirsttimehedidthattome.UntilImovedinwithmy grandfather,Ihadnoideasomeonecouldbesoheartless Istrolledintothe mansionbeside mygrandfather,dressedina babyblue sundress.He hadinsistedIwear this andeven hiredawomantocoatmyfaceinmakeup.
Ilookedlikeadoll
Pinkcheeks andlong,blonde hair thatspilleddownmybackinthickbarrel curls.The womanappliedseveral layers of eyeshadowthatmademyblueeyesappearasiftheywerejumpingoffmyface Ididn’tlooklikeme.
Wefollowedthebutlerintothegreatroom Itwastentimesthesizeofmycurrentlivingroomandhadadozenwindows Theceilingwasatleasttwentyfeethigh,decoratedwithwoodplanks.
Mygrandfather’shousewasequallyimpressivebutlookedmorelikeamuseumthanahome.Coldanduninvitinglikehim. Atall manwithblackhair stoodbeside a beautiful blonde woman Three boys clungtoher side,the oldestofthe group blondlikeherandtallerthanhisdad.Theothertwoboyswereidenticaltwinswiththeirfather’sblackhair.
Themanandhiswifeclosedthedistancebetweenus,theoldestboyafewstepsbehind Icouldn’ttakemyeyesoffhim “Fitzy,” the black-haired man said with his hand extended. “Welcome back to Fort Marshall. How was your drive to Devil’sCreek?”
HepreferredthenicknameFitzy.Itwasstrangetheuptightbastardwouldletanyonecallhimsomethingsoinformal. “Tiring,”Grandfathergrumbled.“Let’sgetonwithit.”
Hehatedpleasantriesandsmalltalk Mostpeopledidn’tbothertospeakunlessheaskedaquestion
Thedark-hairedmanofferedhishand.“I’mMarkMarshall.AndyoumustbeGrace.”
Iforcedasmile “Nicetomeetyou Thankyouforlettingmestayatyourhome It’sbeautiful”
Thewordssoundedrehearsedastheyleftmymouth.MygrandfatherwentthroughthescriptonourdrivetoDevil’sCreek. Theblondewomanwasclosetomyheightandwrappedherarmsaroundme.“Hi,Grace,”shesaidinasweettone.She hadkindblueeyesandawarmsmile.“I’mWillowMarshall.It’ssonicetomeetyou,sweetheart.”
She held me inher arms like we had knowneachother forever. I instantlylowered myguard inher presence. Willow remindedmeofmymom
Theoldestboymovedinfrontofher.Hewasprobablyaroundmyage,earlytwentiesatmost.“I’mColton.”Heofferedhis handformetoshake “ButeveryonecallsmeCole”
ColeMarshallwasthecutestboyIhadevermet.Ishookhishandandavoidedhisgazetostillthenervescoursingthrough mybody.
Thetwinsdidn’tspeakastheystaredatmybreasts WillowsaidtheirnameswereSloanandKnox,butIcouldn’ttellthem apart.
“Cole”Marktappedhissonontheback “Whydon’tyoushowGracethemovietheater?Ihavebusinesstodiscusswith Fitzy.”
Hiseyesmetmine,sobigandblue,thecoloroftheocean “DoyoulikeMarvelmovies?” Ipressedmylipstogetherandnodded.
Cole dragged me outofthe roomand led me downa longhallwaywiththe shiniestwhite marble floor. Icould see my reflectioninthetile
Heslippedhisfingersbetweenmine,andmyhandtrembledaswewalkedthroughthehouse.
“Youdon’thavetofearme Iwon’thurtyou”
Everyoneinmylifehurtmeatsomepoint.TheColonel wastheonlypersonwhokepthispromise.Hetaughtmehow to surviveandhowtofight Iwasn’tthesamescaredgirlanymorebecauseofhim
Weenteredaroomatthebackofthehousewithmovietheaterseatingandaconcessionstand.Mygrandfatherhadasimilar spaceinhishome,butIcouldn’tuseit.Ienteredwithouthispermissiononce,andhelockedmeinthebasement.
Coleslidbehindthecounterandgrabbedtheboxofkernels Afterhepreparedthepopcorn,wesatinthebackrow,eating andwatchingthefirstCaptainAmericamovie.Hiseyesdidn’tleavethescreen,thoughIcaughthimlookingatmeafewtimes.
Midwaythroughthemovie,Colemovedhishandtothespacebetweenus,tappinghislongfingersontheleather chair I feltastrangeconnectiontohimandinchedmyfingerscloser.Wedidn’ttouch,butIcouldfeeltheheatradiatingoffhisskin. Ileanedoverandwhispered,“CanItellyouasecret?”
Heangledhisbodytolookatme.“Youcantellmeanything.”
“Mynameisn’tGrace.”
Ihadbeendyingtotellsomeone. Afrowntuggedathismouth.“Iknow.”
“It’sbeenyears,andmygrandfatherwon’tletmeusemyname”
Coletookadeepbreath,shovinghisfingersthroughhiswhite-blondhair.“You’reindanger.Badpeoplearelookingfor you Butyoudon’thavetoworry”Hegavemyhandareassuringsqueeze “TheKnightswillprotectyou”
TheDevil’sKnightswasoneofmanysecretsocietiesoverseenbymygrandfather.Hehadhishandineverything. “Soyoufollowmygrandfather’sorders,too?”
Henodded.“Fitzyisapowerfulmanwhocontrolsourfutures.”Ahintofsadnesscrossedhishandsomeface.“Weallhave toanswertosomeone.Andthatsomeoneisyourgrandfather.”
Wewerethesame
Notcompletelyfree.
Ourlipsalmosttouchedwhenheleanedcloser “ImeantwhatIsaid,Grace Iwillalwaysprotectyou Youneverhaveto beafraidagain.”
I STUDIED everyinchofthe house as we leftthe theater, still notover the factthe Marshalls had a bowlingalley WhenI askedColeaboutit,hesaid,“Weonlyhaveeightlanes.”
The horror
Iassumedsincehelivedinahousethesizeofasmall cityandithadanamelikeFortMarshall,whatseemedlikegreat accommodationstomewerenothingtoCole.Hewasusedtoalifestylemygrandfatherneveraffordedme.
Colegavemeahousetour,showingmeonewingatatime.WestartedintheEastWingatthetheater,makingourwaytothe bowlingalleybeforewelandedinthesolarium.
“It’sasunroom,”Isaidasweenteredtheglassroomwithavastterrace “Yeah.”Colelaughed.“Solariumisjustafancynameforit.”
ThesolariumwasbiggerthananyhouseIlivedinwithmydad Youcouldhavebuiltanotherhouseonthepatioandstill hadroom.Thisplacewasunreal,adreamcometrue.
Westoppedatthelibrary,whichwastwostoriesandhadadomedceilingandstained-glasswindows.Thereweremore books thanI could ever read liningeachwall. Ladders attached to the shelves went up to the top floor. I wasn’t afraid of heights,butclimbingthathighforabookworriedme.
“WhenI’mhome, Ispend mostofmytime here,” Cole said “Feel free to take anybooks youlike Ifthere’s something specificyouwanttoread,andwedon’thaveit,we’llorderit.”
I’ve died and gone to heaven Isawmyselfgettinglostinthelibrary,buriedunderthousandsofbooks.Growingup,Ididn’thavemuchentertainment.My grandfatheronlyletmeread.Thatwastheonepleasureheneverdeniedmebecausehebelievedreadingwasasuperpower. Hesaidtheworld’ssmartestandwealthiestpeoplereaddaily,andIwouldbewisetofollowtheirlead SoIdid.
ThatwasthereasonIchoseLibraryScienceasmymajor Ihopedonedaytobefreefrommyfamilyandusemycollege educationtobecomealibrarian.
“Ifthere’severatimeyoucan’tfindme,”Isaidonourwayoutofthelibrary,“there’sagoodchanceI’mtrappedunderan avalancheofbooks.”
Agrintuggedatthecornersofhismouth.“Atleastwehaveonethingincommon.”
Ilethiswordslingerasweheadedtowardournextdestination Didwehaveotherthingsincommon? Idoubtedit.
Colehadanormallifewithfriendsandarealfamily Hisfatherwasn’taterrorist,apainfulfactthathauntedme Am I like him?
Am I evil, too?
“I’ll letyouinona secret,” Cole said, returningmyattentionto him. “I’musuallyone oftwo places the libraryor the gameroom.”
Hepushedopenthedoortothegameroom
Liketherestofthehouse,itwasequallyimpressive.Theyhadeveryvideogameeverinvented.Flatscreenshungonthe walls with video game consoles and controllers scattered around the room A sectional couch that could fit thirty people comfortablysatatthecenteroftheroom.Theyevenhadabarwithstoolsthattookuphalfawall.
On our way to the West Wing, we passed the great room. I glanced at the spot my grandfather stood when I met the Marshalls.Iwassorelievedtoberidofhim.
Before Ileftmyadoptive father, he hugged me and said, “It’s onlytemporary, Gracie. You’re a strongwoman. Youcan surviveafewmonthswithoutme”
“ButhowdoIsurvive him?”Itippedmyheadatmygrandfather,whowaitedinsidethelimousineimpatiently.
“Hewon’thurtyou,”heassuredme “There’sareasontheoldmanhaskeptyouaroundthislong”
No one knew why, though. Thatwas the billion-dollar question. MycousinBastianwas older thanme and should have beeninthelineofsuccession.Butforsomereason,Fitzychoseme.
Isnappedoutofmythoughtsasweapproachedthenatatorium,anenclosedpool houselarger thantheoneatmyfather’s lastdutystation.
“Whenmyfriendscomeover,”Colesaidasheheldthedooropenformetoseeintotheroom,“weusuallyhangouthere EveryoneintownwantsaninvitetoFortMarshall.”Hegavemeacockysmirk.“I’mknownforhavinglegendaryparties.”
I’d never beento a partyor had friends Myfamilykept me sheltered fromthe outside world, fearful of mybiological fatherfindingme.
After leavingthe natatorium, we stopped atthe scullery, whichCole explained was a butler’s kitchen. Theyalso had an entireroomdedicatedtothepantry,hiddenbehindapaneledwallwithenoughfoodtofeedanarmy
“Thereareotherkitchensinthehouse,”Coletoldme.“Thechefsneedroomtoworkwithoutusintheway.” “Becauseonekitchenisn’tenough?”Ilaughed “Mylasthousehadagalleykitchenthatbarelyfittwopeople” His smilestirredsomethingstrangeinsideme.Desire,maybe?I’dnever beenthis closetoamanwholookedlikeCole. MyadoptivefathermadesureIhadnodatinglifeandnofriends HewasallIeverhad.
AllIeverneeded.
“Thisplacemightseemlikeamazeatfirst,butyou’llgetusedtoit” Ipeekedupathim.“Imayneedyoutodrawmeamap.”
Hewinked “I’manengineer ThatIcando”
Onourwaythroughthehouse,Colepushedonwalls,twistedcandlesticks,andevenhitabuttononafireplacetoshowme thesecretpassagesbuiltintothehouse.
“My ancestors were paranoid,” Cole said. “Evan Marshall built this house during Prohibition. He was a big whiskey drinkerandrefusedtogiveuphisvice.That’showmyfamilygotclosetotheSalvatores.Theywerealcoholsmugglersback thenwithtiestotheItalianMafia MygrandfatherneverwentwithouthiswhiskeybecauseofAngeloSalvatore”
The Salvatores adopted mycousinBastian. Like me, he’d losthis parents ata youngage and temporarilylived withmy grandfatherbeforeescapinghiswrath Tragedyseemedtofollow theAdamsfamily Wewerecurseddespitehavingsomuch wealth.
Coleguidedmetotheleft,andweascendedthestairs.“TherearefivefoundingfamiliesofDevil’sCreek.”
“What’sthedifferencebetweenTheFoundersSocietyandthefoundersofDevil’sCreek?” Iknewthebasicsabouteachsecretsocietybutnoteverything,onlywhattheColonelwantedtoshare.
“Except for the Salvatores, the foundingfamilies of Devil’s Creekare also descendants of the FoundingFathers of the United States. Youmustprove your lineage to become a member ofThe Founders Society. The Salvatores were the firstto settleinDevil’sCreekandstartbuildinghere AndtheyfoundedTheDevil’sKnights,whichhelpedtogettheirfootinthedoor withTheFoundersSociety.”
IcouldrelatetotheSalvatores.Forthefirstelevenyearsofmylife,IwasanAdams.ButIneverfeltpartofthisworld, likeanoutsiderlookingthroughawindow “AreyoufriendswiththeotherFounders?”
“Yes”Hegrippedmybicepandsteeredmetotheleft “DrakeBattleismycousinonmymother’sside Helivesattheend of Founders Way. Sonny Cormac lives next to him. His family owns Mac Corp. I’m sure you’ve heard of their shipping company LiketheotherFounders,theirwealthgrewexponentiallyduringProhibition”
“SoallofyourfamiliesarelinkedbecauseofProhibition?”
Hebobbedhishead.“DrakestartedBattleIndustriestoimproveonhisgrandfather’sweaponsmanufacturingcompany.The BattlesprovidedTheFounderswithweaponsbackthen Stilldo”
“AndtheSalvatoresweresmugglers?Sowhatdotheydonow?”
“TheyownSalvatoreGlobalandhavemadebillionsprovidingsecurityservices Butoffthebooks,theyhelpwealthymen doillegalshit.TheirconnectionstocrimefamiliesareusefultoTheKnights.”
“Andthefifthfamily?”Iaskedasweenteredmynewbedroomonthesecondfloor
Thespacehaditsownsittingroomwithcouchesandchairs.Thebedwasbuiltforakingandhadtonsofcomfypillows andbeddingthatfeltlikesilkwhenIranmyhandovertheduvet.
“TheWellingtons,”hesaidwithacurtnod “CarlWellingtonisthethirdwealthiestmanintheworld HeownsWellington Pharmaceuticalsandatonofothercompanies.”
Mylipspartedinshock “Iusetheirlotionandshampoo” WellingtonPharmaceuticalsmadeeverythingfromhandlotionandmakeuptovaccines. Coleopenedthedoubledoorstothewalk-incloset.Iimaginedmyselfsittingonthebenchatthecenteroftheroom,getting lostinapileofexpensiveclothes.Hangers,drawers,shelves,andrackswerefilledwithclothingthatdidn’tbelongtome.I couldn’tevencountalltheshoes everythingfromjeweledflip-flopstoheels.
