{"product_id":"feathers1-3","title":"Feathers and Thorne Dark Mafia Series: The Complete Collection (3 books)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eA deadly tale of love and survival...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStep into the shadowy world of Carter and Isabella, where love and power are in constant battle. Dark, steamy and suspenseful, this dark mafia romance trilogy will have you hooked from beginning to end.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eFEATHERS AND BLOOD (Book 1)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eI’ve been looking for a girl like her my whole life. Now that I’ve found her, I’m never letting go.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eCARTER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’m a twisted man with dark desires. Ever since my stepsister passed away, I’ve been obsessed with finding a girl who looks just like her. But none of them are good enough… until I lay eyes on Isabella.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe resemblance is uncanny. She looks just like my stepsister, who killed herself years ago, and I can’t stay away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen I find out she has debts, I’m more than happy to take care of them… for a price that will ruin her and make me stronger than ever.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBELLA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLife has not been easy for me, and when my father gets sick, I have to come up with money to pay for his treatment. I’ve resigned myself to my fate, and I’ll do whatever it takes to take care of my family, even if it means selling my body to the vilest bidder…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut then I meet Carter. A handsome, strict, cruel mob boss who becomes inexplicably obsessed with me after just one glance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis protection is something I can’t turn down.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot even when I find out what it’s going to cost me…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBLOODSTAINED WINGS (Book 2)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eTo keep her safe, I will cage her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eCARTER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI made Isabella mine, and I will guard her life with mine. Unfortunately, my woman is having trouble dealing with my overprotective nature. Isabella is frustrated, but I don’t care.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy dark, possessive nature comes out as I cage her in our new home.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’ll do anything to keep my enemies away. A lot of powerful people want my blood, and I can’t let them hurt Isabella.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI promised to keep her safe, and I have no choice but to kill for her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBELLA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarter is as infuriatingly handsome as he’s always been. He charms me into the perfect life, but I cannot be content being under lock and key.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFearing for my life is one thing, but fearing Carter is another.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs the media fills up with articles about his crimes, I start to lose trust in the man I love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe noose around my neck tightens and tightens as Carter’s controlling behavior leaves me breathless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs afraid as I am, I cannot resist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eSHATTERED WINGS (Book 3)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eShe can't even look at me... because she knows what I turned her into.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eCARTER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeing my woman wheeled into a hospital shattered me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fact that she's carrying our child means I must be in even more control.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIsabella resists me, hiding from me in the dark corners of her mind. But I’ll break down every one of her walls.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf it means breaking her walls one by one only to cage her in my prison right after... I'm ready.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBELLA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeeting Carter changed me forever. Because of him, I'm a murderer—a blood stain that will forever tarnish my reputation and haunt me in my nightmares.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI have more to think of than myself right now… like the baby in my belly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur child is innocent… but Carter and I are not.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFighting to break through the haze of my feelings, I know I must protect our unborn baby... But I'm so weak.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause of him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause of what he did to me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eThis box set offers ALL THREE BOOKS at one incredible price. Each novel in this compelling series promises a journey filled with suspense, passion, and unexpected twists that you’ll never forget.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eJoin Carter and Isabella in their seductively dangerous saga today!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; height: 98px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.1944%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRINT LENGTH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.5847%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e787 pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.1944%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUDIO LENGTH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.5847%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e -\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.1944%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNARRATED BY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.5847%;\"\u003e -\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.1944%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLANGUAGE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.5847%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003eEnglish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.1944%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePUBLICATION DATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.5847%;\"\u003eMay 17, 2024\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-block product-block--tab\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"collapsibles-wrapper collapsibles-wrapper--border-bottom\"\u003e\n    \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"label collapsible-trigger collapsible-trigger-btn collapsible-trigger-btn--borders collapsible--auto-height\" aria-controls=\"Product-content-tab_f3QTgL8782181630231\" aria-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n      Read a Sample\n\u003cspan class=\"collapsible-trigger__icon collapsible-trigger__icon--open\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n  \u003csvg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"icon icon--wide icon-chevron-down\" viewbox=\"0 0 28 16\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"m1.57 1.59 12.76 12.77L27.1 1.59\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke=\"#000\" fill=\"none\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003cdiv id=\"Product-content-tab_f3QTgL8782181630231\" class=\"collapsible-content collapsible-content--all\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"collapsible-content__inner rte\"\u003e\n\n        \n       \u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:17pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#434343;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eFeathers and Blood: Chapter Four\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eIsabella\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI’m one of the first to show up to the office while the other workers come and go throughout the day. They manage the project onsite, working outside the trailers set up as makeshift offices, leaving me alone for most of my time. I try to stay at my desk to not draw too much attention to myself and get roped into another pushy conversation with Jacob like the night before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eHe hasn’t come by, so maybe he hasn’t noticed the missing money clip.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI stayed at the hospital with my father last night and paid for his last round of chemo. Hopefully, although unlikely, it will be the last bill for a while, at least until he has to start another session. I always keep a change of clothes in my work bag, and it came in handy last night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe job site is alive with noise, and only when that noise stops do I finally look up from my desk. The sun has set on the construction site, and everyone’s workspaces have been shut down for the night. My ankles are tired in my heels, but I’ll have to walk again, knowing better than to fetch a bus at this hour, let alone a sticky cab seat in a taxi.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe phone rings, and I answer it on impulse. “Isabella Julis with Lacey Construction, how can I help you tonight?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Come to my office, baby. We need to have a talk.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe line stops, but Jacob’s voice echoes through my mind. My hand shakes as I press the phone back into place, my heart beating hard against the wall of my chest. I know better than to break; it’s the most obvious sign of guilt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI wipe my damp palms against my skirt and pull it down to my knees when I stand up. Checking the buttons that line up my blouse, I reluctantly make my way to the trailer nearby, watching the moon filter through the construction project.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eJacob is sitting at his desk when I enter, his hand toying with a dark-colored bottle of beer while his eyes focus on the sight of me. He motions to the chair opposite his desk, and I abide, my nerves shot in this tense silence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“How was your day, babe?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI swallow the urge to correct him, to use my name, but something tells me I don’t have that kind of power tonight. “Busy.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Busy? I bet. My day has been just as busy.” He leans forward, taking a long gulp of beer before spreading his slight grin into a wide smile. “You know what I had to do today? I had to deal with a man on the site who was selling the copper fittings of the electrical panel for scrap yard money.” he shakes his head, sighing heavily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“He was taking it after everyone had left the job site and selling it for extra cash. When I confronted him about it, he whined about his kids needing private school tuition and his wife, who has been begging him for a second honeymoon. Well… greed does funny things to normal people.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Jacob, what does this have to do with—”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Ah-ah, I’m talking, baby. It would suit you well to shut your mouth until I say you can open it again.” His eyes poke holes through my skin. “So, as I was saying, he became greedy and decided it was easier to steal than to strike a deal with me. I’m an understanding man, babe. I do my best for my workers, and I’m always there when they need me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“They found his fucking corpse in the harbor this morning. Terrible travesty. But I guess when you find a dead thief, no one really gives a damn. Just one more rat off the streets of this city. The same goes for any kind of theft, even the ones in an office late at night when no one is looking.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI flinch at his casual threat. “Please, Jacob, let me—”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“SHUT UP!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI shudder at his volume, pulling back into my chair as he stands up abruptly. He throws the bottle aside, and I only hear it shatter against the far wall. Jacob undoes the buttons of his blazer coat, strolling like a drunk on the New York sidewalk, waltzing his way around the desk and standing right in front of me, my knees knocking at his.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“I don’t like the police, baby. I don’t think I should have to call them over some minor theft. It was only a few thousand, and I have plenty to spare, but for you to take it and not tell me; that’s the betrayal aspect I don’t appreciate.” He pulls my chin upward, forcing me to look into his scheming eyes while mine fill with nervous tears. “Go ahead, baby. Plead your case.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 17pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #434343; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBloodstained Wings: Chapter Four\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIsabella\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter begins his speech, and I can already tell it’s not good. He thanks everyone for their support and then breaks the news that he won’t be the mayor we all were hoping he would be. Instead, he thanks his opponent and wishes him the best of luck, the cameras snapping their photos while it’s clear that Carter Blackthorne has finally lost something.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHe’s had everything in life he needed to be successful, so I know this isn’t a fair battle. Everyone was raving about Carter before when he took down Frances and exposed the ugly face of politics around here, but it’s over now. He’s not the mayor, and his days at work are probably going to decrease even more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe cameras battle to get a glimpse of him walking off the stage. He doesn’t spot me in the crowd, instead giving in to talk to the media. I try to get to him, but someone else catches his attention, and he turns his back toward me before I can even get close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eI bail for now, stalking outside for some fresh air.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIt’s not the night to be selfish, I know that, but part of me is a little happy he didn’t win the mayoral election. I have been afraid of the repercussions of his actions for a while. Even if he says that he can’t be charged with anything, he has already told the police just enough to pin Frances down. There’s no doubt that he’s safe from those actions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSo, what about the new ones? If he gets caught doing half the stuff he shares with me at home in his penthouse, then I fear what will happen when Killian takes over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTaking a seat on the steps, I couldn’t care much less about the white of my dress getting dirty. I hug my knees to my stomach and exhale, wondering if it’s too late in the evening to visit my father. He would be happy to see me, even though his health has been in steady decline for weeks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHis mind is still wandering elsewhere, but his body has reached its final stop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eI think about him, about Sam, too, and wonder if either of them misses me right now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eA cold brush of fingertips pulls my hair aside. I glance back to see Carter behind me, his eyes glazed over with too many emotions to count. He ushers me to stand up, and I do, taking his hand while he whisks me away to the SUV on the street. I didn’t even notice Ernesto come outside before, but there he waits with the door open, waving us inside.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eI only get one foot in before I realize that Carter is on the edge of the curb, staring at the mass of media flooding down the steps. They surround him at once, but something else catches his focus. He stares at the top of the stairs, a single reporter standing with her back straight and her eyes piercing through me. Carter doesn’t move for a minute, looking right back at the reporter. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eA cryptic expression passes between them, one that I’m not sure if Carter recognizes, but it’s enough that he stops to exchange a passing glance with her at all. I shouldn’t be concerned. I know Carter has his demons, but he very rarely looks at them with such uncertainty as this one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eI want to ask him what he’s doing, but he pushes his way into the car, pinning me to his lap before he slams the door shut. His hand rips through the short slit of my dress, finding the toy that rests under my thin panties. He yanks it out in a single swipe, causing me to arch and writhe with shock, pleasure, and a bit of pain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Ouch, Carter!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Shh,” he snarls, hooking his arm around my stomach so I can’t move off his legs. “Be silent, dove.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eI retreat back into myself for now, watching the city pass by as we drive to the penthouse. Ernesto doesn’t speak, which is abnormal for him. We all just sit in stunned silence until the car pulls into the garage. I spy my little red sports car, the sight of it under the penthouse almost comforting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe door swings open, and Carter hikes me over his shoulder, carrying me to the elevator. I thrash in his grip, unsure why he won’t just let me walk, but every push away leads to a harsh slap against my ass cheek. He doesn’t say anything or give me a playful warning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe make it upstairs without a word said.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHe drops me into our shared bed, my back hitting the mattress rather abruptly. While Carter waltzes into the bathroom, I hesitate to stand up, to move an inch, unsure what’s going on in his head right now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e“I thought… I thought we were going to Anita’s tonight,” I whisper at last.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Twentieth Century',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHe comes back, wearing nothing but his pants while his midsection is bare, exposing the muscles that create his finely toned body. He grips his leather belt in his hand, his other shaking furiously at his side.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:17pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#434343;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eShattered Wings: Chapter Three\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eIsabella\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eBright light dances behind my eyelids. I hear a beeping sound and lift my hand up to my face. When I tug, there’s a strange pull, like something is holding me back. Slowly, I force one eye open, spots dancing in and out of my field of vision. I blink, and the world tilts into focus, showing me the IV drip poking out of my arm. I frown at the drip and lift a finger up to trace it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe monitor next to me makes a loud beeping sound.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eMy frown deepens as my fingers close around the drip, and I try to remove it. Suddenly, Carter is by my side, fingers circling my wrist. Wordlessly, he pushes my hand away and steps forward, blocking my view of the monitor. I rub my hands over my eyes, and when I look back, I see Carter in a wrinkled shirt with specks of dried blood, bloodshot eyes, and tufts of hair standing up on top of his head.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eHe looks nothing at all like the man I love. Carter looks more like a ghost, a shell of his former self.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eAnd as I inhale, I struggle to remember why.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eLittle by little, the rest of the room comes into focus, and I realize I’m in a hospital bed, in a paper-thin gown, with a blanket draped over me and a window overlooking the city’s skyline. In the distance, I can make out the squeak of shoes and wheels rolling against the linoleum floors. Gingerly, I sit up straighter, and Carter’s hand darts out to fluff the pillow behind me. He smells like sandalwood and sweat, and it makes some of the knots in my stomach unfurl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eUntil he leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead. “You’ve been asleep for two days, dove. How are you feeling?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I swallow and try again, my voice coming out thick and hoarse. “Why am I in the hospital?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter frowns and pulls a chair up to sit next to me. He takes both of my hands in his. “You don’t remember what happened?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI pause. “I remember you being here when I was drifting in and out of consciousness. Did… did something happen?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter’s face is smooth and expressionless, giving nothing away. But I know something is wrong by the way he holds himself and by the tight set of his shoulders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy can’t I remember?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter releases a deep breath. “A lot of fucked up shit has happened, dove, but you don’t need to worry about any of that right now. The important thing is that you and the baby are safe.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eMy mouth falls open. “You know about the baby?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“I saw the note. I almost missed it, by the way, so the next time, you should try telling me instead,” Carter says, his lips lifting into the ghost of a smile. “This isn’t the kind of thing I should find out from a note.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI swallow past the lump in my throat. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter searches my face, some of the shadows lifting from his face. “You want to keep the baby, right?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI grip his hands tighter. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but I want to be a mom, Carter. For what it’s worth, I think you’re going to make a great father.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter releases my hands and stands up. “I don’t know about that. I’ve had to do a lot of shit the past few days to keep you all safe.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“Why would you…” I trail off as an image comes to mind. When I blink, I see Rich standing across from Tristan, who is panting and bleeding profusely. My heart starts to pound in my chest when another memory comes to mind. One with the gun Carter had given me, the same one I held to Rich’s chest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eAll at once, I see the two of us wrestling for control, and I can smell Rich’s blood wafting up my nostrils. I see his mouth form a surprised “O” before he crumples into a heap on the ground. I gasp, sit up straighter, and turn tear-filled eyes to Carter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“What’s the matter, dove? What happened?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI shake my head. “I… I can’t tell you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarter’s expression is wounded. “What do you mean you can’t tell me? We don’t keep secrets from each other, dove. Not when it really counts.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eI bury my face in my hands, my shoulders heaving. “I can’t tell you because you’re not going to look at me the same way if I do.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe bed dips, and I hear Carter sit down. He moves closer to me, but the bed is too small, and I can’t get away from him fast enough. I don’t want to feel his arms around me, and I don’t want him to stroke my hair. I especially don’t want him to be kind and understanding because I don’t deserve it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13pt;font-family:'Twentieth Century',sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;\"\u003e“I’m not the same woman you fell in love with,” I whisper from behind closed fingers, my voice catching toward the end. “I’m spoiled now, Carter.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ivy Black Romance","offers":[{"title":"EBOOK","offer_id":46555959722198,"sku":"feathers1-3e","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"AUDIOBOOK","offer_id":46570719969494,"sku":"feathers1-3","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0721\/1679\/7654\/files\/WEB_FeathersandThorneSeries_FF.jpg?v=1740070538","url":"https:\/\/www.ivyblackromance.com\/de\/products\/feathers1-3","provider":"Ivy Black Romance","version":"1.0","type":"link"}