A Price on Freedom

portive, but her confusion was obvious. Clara and Mark were openly hostile. But the final word belonged t

rmchair, a stern-faced man with eyes that had seen war and commanded armies. Alex stood

Lewis and her mother, a woman who radiated

t this... absurdity. Our families had an understanding. Alex and m

and on his arm. "Alex, please," she whispered, looking up at

man who looked at her with complete i

r. He kept his eyes on his gra

avy and piercing, as if he could see rig

id, my voice cle

to that ambitious young politician, David C

r. Clark is over, si

town knows it! And Alex, in some misguided fit of chivalry, thinks he ne

lenced her instantly. He turned his attention to his son, Alex's father,

e is a Captain in the army. If he has made a decision, he has his reasons. It is not our place to question his judgment in m

has connections we are looking into. Tying him up in a personal scandal, taking his fiancée... it c

. collateral damage in one of Alex's games?" She pu

angerously low. "This is a necessary step to

before turning and running from the room, her mother hurryi

o, the wedding will proceed. A simple ceremony. Quick. We don't need any more specta

woman of loose morals who had somehow trapped the family's golden boy. The rumors David was spreading were wor

e. "The General has instructed me to provide you with a stipend for

ney than Emily Hayes had ever seen in her entire life. It was a gesture of generosity, but i

. Stone," I sai

Don't think you've won," he sneered. "My cousin might be a fool, but the

" I said, my

challenged, st

on like a knife. He had appeared silently

tantly. He shot me one last hateful glar

opped in front of me, his gaze dropping to the envelope in my hand.

nd mine," I replie

t, opulent hallway, clutching an envelope full of money that was meant to buy my silence and my