Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3)

by Kerri Maniscalco

“He’s human, you know. No matter how clinical and intelligent he may be, he’s got human emotions. I think you forget that sometimes. He buries them, but they’re there.”

:(

“Would you please do that again?”

GIRL NO

I shook my head. “You’re really charming, aren’t you?” “That would be Prince Charming to you, Miss Wadsworth.”

Stfu you're no Cresswell

“We wouldn’t want anyone to have the wrong impression,” I said, unable to hide my smile. “They’d assume we were in here kissing.” “We wouldn’t want that, now.” Thomas shook his head, and somehow we were kissing again. “It would be highly indecent. Being almost alone. In the room of the girl I want to marry. The one who keeps refusing me.”

He's better than me fr

“Our children?” Thomas cocked his head. “You know… smaller-sized humans who spit up on things and require an indecent amount of attention until they’re grown? I imagine we’ll have an entire brood of them.”

Connor Cobalt, what are you doing here?

“You are always free to do as you please. Even if you choose to follow a strange man in a gaudy suit into the bowels of a steam cruiser while someone in his show is murdering women.” Delight flashed in his eyes when the ringmaster exhaled loudly. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

UGH

But when I saw it was Thomas who skidded around the corner and stopped short, I could have sworn my heart sank down to my toes. The ringmaster leisurely

NOOO :(

I realized he’d looked at everything in the room except for me.

And now im crying

I need you to trust me, Thomas.” “I do.” He sighed, then scrubbed a hand over his face. It was very un-Thomas-like. His dark hair was tousled in a way that hinted at his inner turmoil. “Which is part of the issue, I believe. What sort of bargain did you make with Mephistopheles?”

Sob party

“I see.” He took a careful step away, the chasm splitting my chest in half. “I hope you have a good evening.”

He's going to go cry, isn't he?

“I’m—I need to get some rest before we’re called back to investigate the scene. A cluttered mind makes for messy investigating. Good night, Wadsworth.”

THOMAS 😭😭😭😭

“Ah, the dark prince flees on the midnight breeze.” Mephistopheles held a glass of champagne high before sipping it. “He’s right, you know. You do glance down when you lie.”

Lock your doors

Though if you’d like to be my one and only, we might need to address the Cresswell situation. Once I’ve committed myself, I do not enjoy sharing.”

Shut your dumb mouth

I knew he wanted to kiss me,

Girl, dont do it

In the dark it was easy to forget he wasn’t the boy I kept thinking about.

GIRL DONT DO IT

He slipped his hands into my hair, gently pulling me closer. I did not resist.

GIRL DONT DO IT

Mephistopheles was simply an illusion. Thomas was the real thing.

You better remember this later on

“Is that how you knew what time the performers were practicing?” Thomas asked, his tone neutral. “You were with him this morning?”

Thomas is Betty, Audrey is James and Mephistopheles is a piece of shit

“One should always honor a lady’s choice.” Mephistopheles grinned. “You may run along now, Mr. Cresswell. I’ll escort our lady back to her cabin soon enough.”

Listen here BUDDY-

Though it pained me to do so, I took a step toward Mephistopheles. I’d hoped Thomas would’ve deduced the truth, but a look of hurt flashed in his eyes. He jerked his head in an imitation of a nod. My heart wrenched.

Im fine. Everything is FINE

“I simply want to steal you right out from before him.”

"i need to buy a gun"

“We need to talk.”

:(

Before his face shuttered, I saw a glimpse of the boy who never truly believed he could be loved.

Gus Everett coded :(

“I-I’m not certain what I feel.”

NOOOOO

“If you wish to go, I’ll never make you stay. I might not do and say the proper thing all the time, but I do know that I love you enough to set you free.”

I am in tears

Thomas was heartbroken.

my 13th reason

“Are you all right, Wadsworth?”

Are YOU????

perhaps I wasn’t the marrying kind. Maybe I’d always seek freedom from any perceived cage, real or imagined, no matter how often Thomas assured me otherwise.

Midnight Rain

“You do not deserve him, running around with the ringmaster, forsaking his love.

True

“Our work will always be important to each of us. But you have my heart wholly, Wadsworth. No matter what. The only way that will be taken is in death. And even then I will fight with every piece of me to hold your love near. Now and forevermore.”

CRYING