Vanessa Griffin came back downstairs after he put the kids to bed. I sat at the table nursing my blues with a glass of red wine. I rarely drank anything but stuff from my father’s vineyard out of unnecessary loyalty—and because it was free. Griffin brought bottles home all the time even though he rarely…
I was dead asleep when my phone rang. The screen lit up my dark bedroom, and I fumbled for it with squinted eyes. I expected to see Lorenzo’s or Cane’s name on the screen…but it was Vanessa. I took the call right away, seeing that it was almost two in the morning. I’d only been…
Crow It was almost midnight when I entered the base. The cars were parked against the concrete wall that was topped with barbed wire. After I added mine to the line, I approached the warehouse doors, which were cracked open. The sound of loud laughter reached my ears—and I knew what I was walking into….
Pearl We’d just finished dinner when there was a knock on the door. Vanessa immediately looked at me, like she hoped it was her father. I shook my head. “I haven’t spoken to him.” Griffin rose from the table and placed Cassandra into her highchair. “I’ll check.” He walked out and left the room. My…
Crow When I walked into the dining room, Lars was already there. Polite as ever, he hadn’t touched his food while he waited for me to join him. I took the seat across from him and barely looked at him twice. Alejandro, the new butler, came into the room and removed the silver coverings from…
Vanessa The second Griffin came home, the kids rushed him like they hadn’t seen him in weeks rather than a few hours. Like always, he released a playful growl then scooped both of them, pretending to be a bear playing with his cubs. He held Little Crow upside down and made him laugh, and then…
Griffin Vanessa and I took turns putting the kids to bed at night, but I’d taken on the roll for the last few nights that my mother-in-law has stayed with us. I didn’t mind the extra load because Vanessa needed to be there for her mother. And Pearl watched the kids at dinnertime so Vanessa…
Pearl I grabbed a couple things from the closet and shoved them into the bag. My make up bag was taken from the counter, along with all my skincare items that I used every morning and night. It was all shoved inside without any organization. “Button.” Crow’s disapproving tone came from behind me. I zipped…
Pearl I grabbed a couple things from the closet and shoved them into the bag. My make up bag was taken from the counter, along with all my skincare items that I used every morning and night. It was all shoved inside without any organization. “Button.” Crow’s disapproving tone came from behind me. I zipped…
Pearl I looked out the window in the living room, seeing the distant hints of spring in the vines. Instead of looking like a ball of dead twigs, bits of green started to appear, the beginning of new life. It was dark outside, but the up lighting along the property made it visible. It made…