March Mag 2 2022

1

2

3

Table of Contents 1100 Jayne Ann Krentz/ 28 GETTING Amanda Quick/ Jayne Castle: Amazing Stories - ONE Woman! Getting Published is Just 22The Start: Randy Overbeck 32 Working Well With Indie Bookstores, Pt. 3: 22The Big Event Maria V. Snyder Mystery vs Suspense vs Thriller: 36 What’s the Difference? Andy Peloquin 24 InD’introduces: 22Shiloh Love! 4































































Shiloh Love Writing Stories You’ll Live In! Shiloh’s closest friends describe her as a kindred spirit. She started out as a tender-hearted bookworm and began writing her own ictional stories in grade school. Growing up on a farm was a hard life. When not working in the ields, tending livestock, or doing household chores, Shiloh slipped away to her room and penned endless pages of fantasy adventures that she kept hidden under her bed. To this day, no one else has read those secret worlds she escaped to. Through spiritual, physical, and emotional challenges of life, she blossomed into an author. She is often heard describing writing as a saving grace. Shiloh majored in English, graduated, and eventually wrote her irst full- length novel in December of 2006, which won the Golden Wings Award upon its debut release. For the next decade, she wrote for several publishers, achieving moderate success and numerous rave reviews on her unconventional stories. On the dawn of a new year, January 1, 2016, she of icially went Indie to write for herself, to be free to express the art in her soul on her own terms. Her irst two Indie novels received the esteemed 5 Star Crowned Heart review from InD’tale Magazine, with the second going on to become a RONE Awards Finalist. She has since received more 36 ff f ff

fabulous reviews from InD’tale and a third Crowned Heart for her 2021 release, “Chained Reaction”. She enjoys submitting her books for review to keep her writing in check. A favorite quote from Shiloh, “The only time I’m truly free is when I’m writing”, goes to show her true passion for the written word and the gift of telling a story. Writing is her powerful coping mechanism. Shiloh has battled severe OCD, anxiety, and depression since she can remember, then was also diagnosed with Meniere’s disease in 1995. One place she escapes her suffering is in her books with characters created from her mind. She favors hunky gorgeous bikers and muscle car buffs as heroes, and realistic strong female protagonists that challenge their men in every way. Shiloh now makes her own book covers to further her creative outlet. Shiloh writes more than she reads nowadays, but if you ask her what’s the one book she’d go back to time and time again, her answer never waivers, it’s the Holy Christian Bible. 37

38

By: Tamara Cribley Overwhelming is an understatement when it comes to self- publishing. There’s so much to accomplish and very few resources which have the right checklists for what you need. The most wonderful thing about self-publishing is also the most challenging: Overwhelming is an understatement when it comes arrived in my inbox with pieces missing. Requesting a to self-publishing. There’s so much to accomplish and copyright notice could send an author scrambling in very few resources which have the right checklists for frustration. what you need. The most wonderful thing about self- publishing is also the most challenging: There is no \"Do I need to hire someone? Maybe Copyright © “correct” (or incorrect) way to self-publish. Your 2022 is suf icient. What if I mail the book to myself? personal goals will dictate your individual journey. Will I be covered?\" These aren’t ridiculous questions, though if you know how easy it is, you might ind However, there are some good generalizations to help yourself reminiscing about your irst experience. you see the big picture, to get you from manuscript written to book published. Formatting and design is, for the most part, the last step in the Indie publishing journey, and when When I started working with Indie Authors and authors come to me with missing pieces, I’m happy to Presses, my focus was on book design. It didn’t take help. Some of my most rewarding projects have long to see that there was a gap in the information involved helping authors pull the pieces together for that was readily available to new authors. Books often a professional-quality book. Because of where my 39 fff

services land in the process, I don’t Page\". The title page is pretty easy to manage. It should include your title often think much about the big and the author’s name. It may also include the publisher and other picture. elements. How does a writer get from While a copyright notice isn’t strictly required, it’s an important page to \"Manuscript Complete\" to \"Book include. It establishes your ownership of your work. It also provides a Published\"? great deal of information to readers. The copyright notice appears on the left-hand (verso) page, behind your title page. It is something you can While there will always be exceptions, easily craft yourself. Glenna Collett of Book Design Made Simple wrote an and we are each on a different path, excellent primer for what typically appears on a copyright page, and how there are also common industry you might modify it for your own use. She even has an editable template practices you should consider in your which you can download. (www.bookdesignmadesimple.com/copyright- journey. If you ind that this path page-end-the-confusion) doesn’t it you, that’s okay. I’m a bit of rule-breaker myself, but I think it’s While many of the elements on her page can simply be updated for your important to understand why we use, \"Copyright Registration\" and a \"Library of Congress Control Number\" break rules. Remember: If you’re are elements that you’ll need to visit outside resources to complete. writing a book to be read by others, you must consider their expectations. Copyright Registration Key Parts of a Book Copyright registration is not required. From the moment you create your work, you hold the copyright. Registration provides greater legal recourse, Beyond the story (or content) itself, should someone violate your copyright. If you choose to take this step, do there are very few elements your book so within 30 days of publication. To register, visit the U.S. Copyright of ice needs in order to meet professional website and do the work yourself. It’s a quick, painless, and inexpensive standards. Most books have front and process, costing $45. (www.copyright.gov, registration, for literary works) back matter. These will be things like a You do not need to pay someone else to do this. There are many predatory \"Dedication\", \"About the Author\", sites that will offer to complete this service for you at an exorbitant fee. \"Acknowledgements\", \"Author Notes\", \"Testimonials\", \"Trigger Warnings\", Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) or Preassigned Control etc. Most front and back matter is Number (PCN) optional. The most important element is the \"Copyright Notice\". “A Library of Congress control number (LCCN) is a unique identi ication number that the Library of Congress assigns to the catalog record created The second, while not required, is a for each book in its cataloged collections. Librarians use it to locate a dominant industry practice, the \"Title speci ic Library of Congress catalog record in the national databases.” It typically takes 1-2 weeks to register for your PCN. However, the publishing 40 industry is still experiencing signi icant delays. (Note: The terms PCN and LCCN are often used interchangeably.) Complete this step early. This is also a quick process and there is no fee. (www.loc.gov/publish/pcn) International Standard Book Number (ISBN) ISBNs are the identi iers you’ll need to sell and track your book sales. A different ISBN is required for each format of your book. If you’re planning f fff f ff

IASSBINN Publishing Platforms There are two primary options for on publishing hardback, paperback, and eBooks, you’ll need three ISBNs printed books for self-publishing per story. authors, Print-on-Demand (POD) or Short-Run printing. If you are ONLY selling your eBook on Kindle, it is optional to forego an Platforms like KDP (Amazon), ISBN for the Kindle book format. KDP provides an ASIN (Amazon IngramSpark, and Lulu are POD Standard Identi ication Number) which is a proprietary directory that can platforms. They generally only print be used in place of an ISBN for Kindle books. Even if you only plan to sell a book once it is ordered. POD books on Kindle, I recommend using an ISBN. It allows for better sales tracking. have reasonable quality and because You can use the same ISBN for both Kindle (KPF) and .epub formats, or there are limited, if any, up-front you can get separate numbers. Both practices are common in Indie. costs to the author, are a very easy option. Revenue generated through Most publishing platforms can provide a free ISBN. (Note: the ISBN owner POD is based upon the production is the publisher of record.) When using a free ISBN, that platform costs, the percentage to the retail and becomes the publisher of record. Some retail outlets are unfavorable to publishing platforms, and your self-published books and the ISBN record holder being KDP or similar can chosen retail price. make your book less appealing. Short-run printers have a much wider variety of printing options If, however, you are the publisher of record, either as yourself or as available such as embossed covers, “Publisher”, which you set up, you’re likely to overcome that particular spot UV, paper quality and inish, etc. hurdle. Bowker is the only authorized direct seller of ISBNs in the U.S. (If This option is great for the author publishing through Ingram, you can purchase a discounted Bowker ISBNs who is either selling directly to through them.) On the Bowker website (bowker.com), you can purchase readers or is selling wholesale. When individual ISBNs or a batch of 10. you work with a short-run printer, you purchase a batch of books. Most A single ISBN is $125, and a batch of 10 is $295. If you expect to publish printers have required minimum more books, a batch of 10 will probably serve you well. Bowker also offers orders, and you purchase the full barcodes to accompany your ISBNs. If you are publishing with KDP or print run at once. Because you’re not Ingram or most POD platforms, you do NOT need to purchase a barcode. going through a publishing platform, They can be generated with your book cover template at no cost. all revenue beyond your direct costs belongs to you. Cover Art ? You must have a cover for your book, and a back cover and spine for a printed book. (Remember, eBooks don’t use spine or back cover art). This 41 one is non-negotiable. It should be appealing to your readers and easily seen and read at a thumbnail size. While it may be your dream to see your book on shelves in stores, the reality is that most book sales are made online. If you are working with a cover artist, be sure they are familiar with the industry and can guide you in best practices for your speci ic book. If you’re doing your own cover art, do an incredible amount of research, and then consider hiring a pro. Authors are often too close to their subject matter to create successful covers that will appeal to readers who don’t have all the inside information. If you’re still committed to creating your own artwork, know the speci ications and requirements for your chosen platform(s). Best of all, download cover templates. All POD platforms offer them, and they will save you grief. f f f f

In the Indie world, you’ll hear an Choose your platforms early so you can be sure that you’re aware of and option referred to as \"offset\". Offset is meeting all of the speci ications and requirements, which vary from a printing process and is not mutually platform to platform. exclusive to short-run printing. Offset printing uses plates to apply ink to Timeline paper. Digital printing, which is the primary option in POD, uses ink jets For new authors, or authors who are new to self-publishing, your to spray ink on the page. Digital is a timeline may take two to four months to complete everything you need much more cost-effective process for to publish professionally. It can vary greatly, but when you’re new to this low volumes. For large volumes, in process, plan for double the time you think you’ll need. It is very easy to the thousands, offset can provide a be delayed, both in your own process and by industry delays, over which better unit cost. There are also short- you have no control. run printers who offer digital printing services that allow you to purchase a Many tasks can be completed in tandem. handful, or couple hundred books. Start beta reading and proofreading early. While your book is out with You’re not limited to just one option. readers and reviewers, spend this time making decisions and setting up your accounts. Decide on a trim size and your publishing platforms. Set For retail customers, POD is a great up your pro iles and banking information. You can also start working on option. For local shops and direct cover art. Often, the cover art sets the tone for the interior design and sales, short-run printing can generate formatting. Start thinking about your metadata: the book blurb, higher revenue. categories, and keywords that will help readers ind your book through searches. For eBooks, I recommend publishing directly on KDP for Kindle. Amazon is Consider your marketing efforts. If revenue is one of your goals, start still the largest seller of eBooks. I also planning. You may want a website and marketing graphics. Do you have a recommend publishing to other social media presence where you can reach your audience? While your platforms. Draft2Digital (D2D) is a book may be available for sale on all major bookseller sites, it will still be very convenient platform where you your responsibility to drive readers there to make their purchases. This can upload your eBook to a single can be an intimidating task for a writer, but your success depends on location, and have it pushed out to all your ability to generate sales. Start marketing early and be consistent in major eBook sellers. D2D does take a your efforts. small percentage of sales, but being able to manage everything in one Formatting should take place after proofreading is complete. It’s also place is very helpful, especially if important to review your book after it has been formatted. When you see you’re new to self-publishing. your book in a new format, errors that you have read past a dozen times will jump out at you. If doing an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC), set a deadline for feedback so you can make changes before publication. Once your assets are complete, start uploading and reviewing your iles. Order a proof copy so you know exactly what your readers will see. When your iles are approved, you can consider yourself “Published”. If you have questions about the Big Picture, or some tips that helped you get through the process, I invite you to join me next Sunday, March 13, at 3 pm PST. Participation is always free. Bring your questions, challenges, victories, and curiosities. Visit www.DeliberatePage.com/Roundtable for access info and reminders. 42 ff ff f

43

H to Help O W ld: A View From The Trenches I teach computer science and writing To say it is a stressful work environment is an in a combined junior high/high school understatement. The boys are not there because they that is attached to a boy’s only juvenile have made good decisions. They are sentenced to the facility. No one wants to go to my school, and no one correctional facility. is there voluntarily. Think of the worst behaved students you remember from school, those one or It borders between a soft-ish boot camp and prison. It is a two who could never behave at all, and/or the ones diversion program, hoping to aim the offenders at learning who never went, but you saw hanging around or to make better choices so as not to make the systemic in/ causing trouble. That is every one of my students, not out a normal thing. We can have 12-18 year olds at the just one or two. Some of my high schoolers dropped facility, and in some of my classes, I can literally have both out in 6th grade. Currently I have a 9th grader who 12 and 18 yr olds together. The emotional and social has not attended school since kindergarten. Not distance between those two ages is enormous, and rarely hyperbole. This school year marks my 5th year there, gels well. with the previous ive years being at our Department of Adult Education, getting them ready for the high school equivalency tests (HiSET/GED). Most people I meet are horri ied at where I teach, and yes, I am there by choice. I wasn't sentenced there. Trust me; in the 5th largest school district in the nation, we easily have 1,200 open teaching positions a year. I have options. I preface this personal information because, being seriously down in the trenches in ways most cannot fathom, I see a lot. I hear a lot. I know a lot that those \"in power\" have no clue about, or are completely wrong about. I have very strong opinions. One of the things that has driven me batty for years, is how everyone who has any semblance of 15 minutes of fame, or a position that's even sort of listened to almost always has not one clue about reality, and is really good at the \"YOU should's\" or \"YOU must's...\" or \"YOU have to's...\" but don't follow their own words, and don't do what they say YOU should do. The thing is, you should be doing something, just not necessarily what \"THEY\" say. In my life as a teacher, I have met all kinds of the \"THEY's\", and have run into all kinds of \"I don't know what to DOs!\" Sometimes it's an excuse; sometimes it's just plain ignorance of what is out there or how to go about it because no one ever thought to teach/ show them. Many people I've met truly want to help do something, somewhere, but really have no idea By: 44 Julie L. York f froruwo

where to look because some of the places that do the justserve.org hard work, that are in the trenches with those like me... they're hard to ind online because they usually I have used this site, I have directed others to this site, are grant based, shoe-string budget operations that and there is an absolute need for those who can, to are mostly staffed by overworked, underpaid angels. DO, everywhere. In my area, I've seen everything from mucking stalls of therapy horses, to reading to hospice Think social workers who work in and for a domestic patients, to bottled water drop offs for the homeless, abuse shelter. The workers are not making the big to making blankets for low income neonatal patients, bucks, and stay hidden for good reason. A group to dog walking in the shelters, to cards for the local St. comes to my facility weekly to teach the boys life Judes ranch, to packing bags with food for the skills, like illing out applications, dressing weekend for students in low income areas. appropriately, budgeting. A lot of their budget goes to things for the boys—they will actually buy clothes for Within 25 miles of my zip code, there are literally job interviews, and pay for various occupational and hundreds of listings of needs, and you can view up to educational tests. 75 miles around you. There are so many reasons, monetary or time The point of the JustServe program and website is that constraints, and yes, excuses, getting in the way of the EVERYWHERE needs help, but the needs are best \"YOUs\" helping and doing where it's needed. served by those who are close by. Proximity makes it easier to know exactly where your time and money Some people have time, but not money. are going to, you can go visit or call many of the places, see in person what the group you've chosen is like. Others have money but not time. We, individually, can't save everyone, end world Some don't want to physically go into the dark places, hunger, bring about world peace... but, individually, we but want to go somewhere to help. can make a difference in our communities, in places where it is really needed, not in places some talking Others want to be able to do something at home and head says so. Those with the biggest needs are often drop it off. the ones with the softest voices, because they are so busy DOING, that they rarely have time to toot their So many actually want to be able to DO, but the talking horns, shout, or get attention in the media. Plus, let's heads are absolutely zero help in inding real be honest, the media is not exactly out to show us how opportunities. to help each other. So, as someone buried 6ft under, or more, in the Which is why the JustServe.org program and website trenches, I want to introduce you to a website 100% was created. dedicated to pairing those who want to help with Any and All places who need the help, and all aimed at What brought this about is that my boys—they are your own and surrounding zip codes. mine, and I am iercely protective of my boys while they are at the facility—could have had such a Anyone can join, it's completely free, no restrictions different life and outcome if some community except age: under 18 needs permission for some organization somewhere had the volunteers and things. If you know or have a need, you can make an money to reach them. There are places, not many, but account to post your need. If you have a one-time they exist, whose sole purpose is to give youth in high project, or an ongoing need, make an account. crime, high gang activity locations an alternative. If you want to help, make an account and go looking. 45 f f f f

There are places that offer free food and clothing to that focusing on them shoves my pain into the youth. There are places that have lists upon lists of background. resources, but no way to get them into the hands that need them. Sometimes, one of the best ways to heal yourself is to forget yourself and focus on others. Trust me, if you I'll use an example from one of my boys. He shared are reading this, your life is incomparably better than that his mom was always on drugs, or drunk, so he millions of others, and better than so many who live in took things and money so his little brother had food your area. As a single parent, and a teacher, I don't and clothes and shoes. I asked him if he knew that have much, yet I am always reminded just how much every school counselor has a list of places that have more I have, and have had, than many of my boys. And those things for free. He was shocked. He hadn't want I am not talking just monetary, physical things. to be separated from his little brother, so he never said a word for fear they'd call CPS. He didn't even realize JustServe.org does not require anything you are not that he could ib about why he wanted to know about willing to give. You have total control over what you food and clothes... like, mom just lost her job and pick, who you pick, how often you pick, when you pick, there's no money... that way avoiding suspicion, and a and they don't care about why. I saw a listing once for CPS call. making cards for seniors in hospice. They had no lower or upper limit, they just wanted handmade If a community based organization had had the funds cards for those who were on their way out of this life, to paper his neighborhood with those lists, or people something to hold onto to know that they were being to go door to door, or into the schools, or anything... thought of. Another listing was for cases of water maybe he wouldn't be in my facility. Or if there had bottles for shelters. That's it. Nothing more was asked. been a safe place to hang out after school, or adults around who were not gang banging, running guns or In this life, in this day and age, with the world drugs, good adult examples instead of bad... so little absolutely losing its marbles on a daily basis, there for most of my boys could have resulted in so much of can be sanity. Helping others, inding ways that our a difference to them. time, talents, income, ideas, or physical selves can bene it our own communities can restore faith, belief, And the thing with JustServe.org is that you do NOT and hope in humanity, our neighbors, our towns... the have to go into the dark places, like I choose to do, in best cures begin in the smallest places irst, and order to do amazing things and help where it is anything you can do, no matter how small, makes a desperately needed in your area. Some places just difference to someone, somewhere. need donations of things, like toothbrushes, socks, material for blankets, because they have the bodies to There is no better feeling in the world than helping help, but not the stuff. Other places are in need of someone. We all want to be needed. At JustServe.org, bodies, like food banks who almost never have enough you can ind who needs you, and you'll likely ind that bodies to hand out things. A local food bank of mine you need them just as much. has delivery drivers for the elderly and schools, but always needs people packing the food at their facility. Will participating in the JustServe website cure everything? No. Not even close. But doing just one thing will make a difference to someone. And, honestly, the best way to forget the pains and trials in your own life is to focus outside yourself. When I am at work, my sole focus is my boys and doing the best I can for them, inding what they need to be successful in my classes, and in life. I estimate that 75-80% of what I teach is not computer science, but life skills, thinking, problem solving, self-control, etc. Are some days better than others? Oh yeah. I get migraines, and there are days I can barely stand up, and I tell them how much I hurt. But I refuse to call off because being there for them, despite my pain, is a lesson many of them have never seen: doing what you need to do, when you need to do it, to the best you can, regardless of how much it hurts... because it's the right thing to do. And I am doing it FOR THEM. Often, I ind 46 ff fff f f f

47

Chapter Seven Victory Should I care my husband is on his way to a brothel? Yes. I should be upset. Angry. Jealous. Any wife would be. But my only reaction is to wrinkle my nose in disgust. In the solitude of my dressing room, I’m free to feel horri ied without worry that it might show on my face. I choose my clothes and go shower, and try not to think about what William might be doing to those poor women. I’m washing the dishes from lunch when I hear the “As expected, I suppose. Nothing special.” front door. I don’t look up, wondering if William is already home. I’m nauseated just thinking about Should I tell him what William told me this morning? I where he was and what he might have done. decide not to. I tuck the information away for another day. “Have you eaten?” “Victory.” “Yes, I ate, thanks.” He clears his throat. “I got you I spin at the sound of my name. Liam stands in the something.” kitchen. He sets a brown paper bag on the counter. I look up from the plate I’m washing. A present? For “Liam, you’re back.” My heart lip- lops. “How was your me? trip?” “Come look.” He nods. “Fine, it was just ine. Got the work done. How were things here while I was away?” 48 f ff f

I dry my hands and he points to the brown paper bag. The covers rustle as he rolls over and turns his back I smile at its simplicity. I peer over the top of the bag to me. My heart sinks. I recall what William suggested and my heart lutters. earlier - that he’s not attracted to me. When William said it, I had been embarrassed, but relieved. But the Books. Many, many books. thought of Liam—does he feel this way, too? Rejection burns deep down to my soul. I roll over, confused. I “Oh!” I reach in, retrieving book after book, setting close my eyes and try to ind sleep as tears silently them carefully aside until I reach the bottom. “Liam, sting my eyes. they’re perfect. Thank you.” **** I turn, inding him standing closer than expected. The room is chilly but I’m warm when I wake, Snuggled under a well-worn quilt with a slow, thick “You like it?” heartbeat thumping in my ear. A hot, hard body against me. I nod. “I love them. You didn’t have to think of me. I’m startled at irst before remembering I’m in Liam’s Thank you.” bed. I’m curled into his chest, held in loose arms that are still heavy with sleep. His breathing is slow and “Why wouldn’t I think of you? You’re my wife.” “I I dry my hands and he points I’m William’s wife too, but apparently, that means to the brown paper bag. I smile nothing to the man. at its simplicity. I peer over the I smile again. “I can’t wait to read them.” top of the bag and my heart lutters. “Here.” He takes the dish towel, “Go ahead. I’ll dry.” Books. Many, many books. “ *** touches my forehead. Tonight is the irst time I’ve shared a bed with Liam. My irst instinct is to move, but he seems so content. Not knowing what to expect, I lay under the blankets Who am I kidding? So am I. Content and warm and as he moves around the room in black pajama safe. I smile, knowing he won’t see it. I put my head bottoms and no shirt. It troubles me that I’m unable back where it was on his chest, his chin resting on my to keep my eyes from watching his every movement. head, our legs slightly tangled. His torso is smooth and muscular. He makes those My eyes being to get heavy again just as he stirs, plain black bottoms look downright sexy. stretching his legs and taking a deep breath. I lift my head to ind him awake, eyes puffy with sleep as a I, other the other hand, am wearing a knee-length, smile pulls his mouth up. polka-dotted gown in peach and white. I’ve never felt “Morning, beautiful.” His voice is still rough with so self-conscious about my pajamas before. But, then sleep. again, I’ve never been in a bed with Liam. I snuggle “Morning.” down further. The bed is soft as I burrow under the He stares at me; his eyes moving over my face and I covers, not knowing how to act or what he will do don’t know what to say. My heart picks up its pace as when he gets into bed. He meets my eyes as he reaches the bedside, and my heart thunders frenetically. I watch him pull back the blankets and crawl in. He turns off the bedside lamp throwing the room into darkness. His leg touches mine under the blankets, skin on skin. Hot. It throws my heart into palpitations. Surely I’ll burst into lames. Liam Yawns. “Night, Victory.” My jaw drops. Wait, what? Goodnight? No pawing at me? No assumptions of ownership and climbing on top of me to take what belongs to him? Forget my missing ovaries. At this rate, I’d be dead within the waiting on these two men to impregnate me. “Night,” I whisper loudly in the darkness. 49 f f f f f f f f f

his gaze lingers and our bodies remain close enough The question startles me. “Just a little that my parents to breathe the same air. gave me. I was told that my husbands—” I recall the kiss the day we got married, just a week ago. I remember the way it had felt, how my body had “Look, I don’t want you to be unable to care for reacted to it. The moment invades my mind and I yourself, or our future children, if anything happens to realize I want him to kiss me again. I want to kiss him. me. I’m going to set you up with an emergency My wish comes true. account, okay? Where do you bank?” I hold my breath when he leans in. I close my eyes and feel hot, soft, full lips touch mine. No trace of tobacco I give him the information for the National Bank on this time. It ends far too soon. Sinclair Drive. He turns that way. “You want breakfast? I can cook us something.” My stomach growls and he laughs, sitting up. “Guess “We’re going to go in and withdraw the money. Then that’s a yes. Take a shower and get dressed while I I’m going to take you to a different bank and we will cook breakfast and then we can go do something get you a new account that no one but you or I will today. I’ll take you out.” know about. Got it?” ““I don’t understand.” It’s only “I don’t understand.” It’s only partly true. I partly true. I understand what understand what he’s doing, I just don’t understand why. Why the secrecy? The danger lingering beneath he’s doing, I just don’t his words scare me. understand why. Why the secrecy? The danger lingering I won’t ask. I can’t. Curiosity isn’t a safe personality beneath his words scare me. “ trait to let fester. Take me out? “Okay.” Getting out of the house sounds He sighs, turning the car toward Sinclair. “Just trust perfect. me. There’s a lot that could happen. It’s just best to be He pulls on a shirt and disappears out of the room. I prepared. A good husband should take care of his peek out the window and see that William’s car is wife. . . in any circumstance. Don’t you think?” gone. Relief loods me. With no idea what time he leaves or when his light is, I don’t know if he’ll be I remember the kiss in bed this morning. Heat lames back, but with Liam here, I don’t worry so much. my cheeks and warmth rushes to parts of my body I take a long, hot shower and dress in shorts and a that cause me to squirm in my seat. shirt. I French braid my hair and spray on a little perfume before following the scent of food to the “Yes, I suppose you’re right. But isn’t it more kitchen, where I ind the table set with hot coffee, important we produce babies? Not much else seems eggs, toast, and cut fruit. to matter.” *** He nods, pulling into the bank that’s only a few “Victory, do you have any money?” he asks as we pull minutes from our home. “True. But that doesn’t mean out of the drive. it’s right. You’re my bride irst. I will do all I can to make sure you are cared for.” I get out of the car, wondering if he’ll still mean that when he discovers my truth. What will he do when The Brotherhood puts my name on a list and someone shows up at our door? Not long after, we leave the bank and I have seven hundred dollars in my purse. He drives us thirty minutes away to a different bank. We open an account in my name, and then I stand - stunned - when he tells the cashier to transfer ifty thousand dollars from his account to mine. He signs something and I’m given a slip with my new balance on it. I stare at it, labbergasted. I had no idea he had so much money. How much do carpenter’s make? He tells the cashier I don’t want an access card and then turns to advise me that if I ever need the money, I’ll have to come to withdraw it in person. In the car, 50 f f f f f ff