I promised I’d let her toy with at least one Moreno before they die, and she’s had her eyes set on Abel since I uttered the words. Between the two of us, I’m not sure which is worse. Mercedes is just as bloodthirsty but only half as patient. In her mind, she’s probably already devised a scheme of torture more wicked than I even want to know. There will be no pity for him from me.

I release him with a sneer and retreat to my desk, sitting in my chair while Abel dares to let his greedy eyes roam the length of my sister’s body. She sees his want and encourages his ignorance by offering him a feline smile. He isn’t even remotely aware of how much she wants to destroy him.

“Let it be known,” I speak, forcing his attention back to me. “Any decisions about my bride are to go through me. I want an update every hour from now until the wedding. Where she is. Who she’s with. What she’s doing. Is that simplistic enough for your comprehension?”

“Of course.” He nods with narrowed eyes.

“And I will be at the Moreno’s house to help her get ready tomorrow,” Mercedes interjects.

I shoot her an irritated glance. She knows better than to suggest such an idea without speaking to me first. But given that I can’t trust Abel, and I know Mercedes will follow through with my commands, I agree.

Abel bows his head toward her and then smirks. “Nothing would please me more than to see you again, Miss De La Rosa.”

Another long, sleepless night passes as I roam the halls of The Manor. The mansion is vast and often drafty with so much space to heat. When my father was alive, he would instruct the staff to heat the rooms we occupied and nothing more during the colder months. I haven’t changed his directives in that regard since I’ve taken over as head of the household.

The Manor is a Victorian gothic behemoth in the Lakewood District of New Orleans. Nestled into the trees just past the cemeteries, the rare, sprawling eight acres of gardens affords more privacy than most estates in the city. The property has belonged to my family for generations, and though there have been many generous offers over the years, it will never belong to anyone who does not bear the De La Rosa name.