Page 1 of Surly Sheriff
Prologue
“Is he dead?” Her sister’s fearful question reverberated in the shocked silence.
She stared at the figure spread out on the silk carpet before her, the harsh glow from the desk lamp casting an eerie light across the macabre sight of their grandfather covered in blood, his pants undone, and that …thingjutting out.
Was he dead? Hehadto be.
Heart thumping so hard she worried it would burst from her chest, she squatted by his side, silently cursing the tremble of her fingers when she reached for his wrist.
And reared back in fright whenhishand fastened aroundherwrist.
She clamped her jaw, stifling her scream. The old man’s eyes shot open, and a sneering smile pulled at his lips, but the only sound escaping from that cruel mouth was a horrible gurgle followed by a trickle of blood.
His grip slackened, and she wrenched her arm free.
Sucking in a breath, she clasped the ivory handle protruding from his neck and pulled. The blade slid free with a sickening slurp. More blood seeped from his wound, a shimmering crimson ribbon where the fluorescent rays caught the flow.
Funny how his blood flowed such a vibrant red. One would think black sludge pumped through the devil’s veins.
Holding the weapon aloft, she was ready to plunge it back in.
But the unseeing eyes told their story — the monster was dead.
She expelled the breath she’d held in. Averting her eyes, she caught sight of the rivulets of blood snaking down the side of the walnut desk.
She looked down at the front of her body. And shuddered.
Red splotches stained the virginal white.
Lifting the hem of her long skirt, she found a clean spot and carefully wiped the handle of the dagger before dropping it.
“We need to go back to our rooms,” her sister said, low and urgent, tugging at her arm. “Before …”
Before someone discovers what they’ve done.
Killing him had not been part of the plan.
She gave the body a fearful look, dragging the back of her hand across her mouth, still tasting—
A violent shiver wracked her body.
Never again.
Swallowing back the rising bile, her eyes drifted around the opulent room, her mind churning like her stomach.
Think, think.
Her sister was right. They had to leave.
But not back to their rooms.
Their uncle would show them no mercy.
They had to run.
Now.
A surreal calm descended over her.
