"There still haven't been any sightings," he informs me. "But there is one courtesan who has been absent from the Cat House the last two days. I've been informed that she is another one of Abel's regular conquests. There could be a connection there."

"So, what's the issue?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, it appears we don't have her current address on file, so we are trying to track her down. My guys are shaking down the whole place as we speak. If any of the ladies know anything, they'll give her up."

"What about her family? There must be something on the paperwork we have for her."

"No family listed," he says. "Both her parents died. No siblings."

I sigh. Of course, Abel would choose someone like that to use for his own purposes.

"I hope he didn't do anything to her," Marco says quietly, echoing my own thoughts.

"If he has, he will pay. He will pay for every last sin."

He nods. "The guys are taking shifts. We have men out looking for him round the clock. And the Society posted ten more guards outside The Manor walls. So far, he hasn’t been dumb enough to pass by, but you never know."

"Thank you for keeping me informed, Marco. It's difficult to sit here and wait him out, knowing he's still out there."

"We'll get him," he assures me. "This is the safest place for your family to be. Your wife needs you right now."

"Yes," I agree. "I think she does."

9

Santiago

"Santiago?"

Ivy's soft murmur as she stirs from her slumber fills the cavity where my heart should be with something I can't identify. All I know is that I never want her to stop calling out for me like that.

"I'm here."

My fingers brush over her face, and she opens her heavy eyes, blinking up at me. She relaxes when she sees me perched on the edge of the bed, watching her. Even in her sleep, she manages to sense me somehow.

"I'm sorry," she croaks. "I've been so tired."

"It would be expected in your condition even under normal circumstances," I tell her. "But given what has happened, I think you can accept your body's requirement for rest."

She rubs her eyes and leans up on her elbow, studying me. "How do you know what's normal in pregnancy?"

I feel heat rise to the surface of my neck as I offer a half-hearted shrug. "I've done some reading."

A small smile curves her lips. "You've been reading about pregnancy?"

"When I have time," I answer dismissively.

Her face falls slightly at my short tone, and I regret it immediately. But when I lean down and press my lips against hers, she seems to forget about it entirely. Her fists curl into my shirt, trying to drag me closer.

I groan into her mouth and force myself to pull away, half breathless. "You need to eat something first."

She frowns. "I can eat after."