Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3)

by Kerri Maniscalco

It amazed me that the world could resume its orbit no matter what destruction had been wrought.

We women could be called creatures, if only the men who said such careless words accepted our claws were fearsome things when we decided to scratch.

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.”

There was no world I wanted to live in where Thomas Cresswell wasn’t a part of it. No matter the odds stacked against us, I’d fight for him until I drew in my last, shuddering breath. Even in death I’d never stop coming for those who threatened my family. Because that’s what Thomas had become. He was mine—I’d chosen him just as he’d chosen me, and I’d defend him with everything I had. Our friendship had caught fire and blazed with something powerful and untamed. Something I’d been foolish to ever doubt.

I love you, I thought, rallying against the blackness. More than all the stars in the universe. In this life and ever after. I love you.

Together Thomas and I had burned bright as a shooting star, and flew apart just as fast.

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.”