Sneak peek

Adytum – Prologue

The image staring back at her pressed her bright red painted lips together. As she took in the reflection, the corner of her mouth curled, marking her satisfaction. Her plan was finally coming together, after all these years. Corina had her foot in the doorway of the Delacroix empire. All she had to do was bang an old man until she could finally hammer the final nail into his coffin and take over what was rightfully hers. Well, rightfully hers in her own eyes.
The Delacroix were an elite class of criminals, hailing from the deep south. Corina abhorred their kind of corruption—aloof, self-righteous, and repugnant. Even the name, Delacroix, left an unsavory taste on her tongue. It hinted at sophistication, but the family was anything but sophisticated.
Marrying Hugh was a last resort. A relationship with a man was the last thing Corina wanted, but after the failed attempt to gain access through her contemporary, Maxine, more drastic measures were required.
In college, Corina saw Maxine as her ticket to success, but when her attempt to manipulate Maxine failed, Corina shifted her focus to honing her coercive tactics. She discovered the art of delicately exerting control over a woman, without using brute force, even though she still reveled in her powerful persona. Nothing was more satisfying than the sting of her palm after lowering her heavy-hand onto a woman in her control. Corina’s tongue dipped out to taste the lipstick coating her lower lip as memories of her own dominance flowed through her body.
No. Maxine was not the easy target she once thought she would be. Corina would have to enter the dragon’s den. Stalk her prey, using any means necessary. When the moment was right, she would strike—cutting off the dragon’s head while he slept.
Corina was only a teen when her Uncle Tony took her in. After her mother killed her father in front of her, he was the only family she had left. While Anthony Moriarty was a violent and ruthless man regarding his “business” dealings, he protected his family. After learning of Corina’s unstable upbringing, he vowed to care for his niece like she was his own.
Over the years, Tony noticed some things about his niece: she was methodical and would seek high-risk stimulating experiences, regardless of the cost to those around her. As if everyone around her was acceptable collateral-damage. He decided these traits could be a strength and endeavored to groom Corina to one day take on the family business.
Corina’s heart raced with anticipation as Uncle Tony unveiled his plan to seize control of the Delacroix empire, and without hesitation, she eagerly pledged her support.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the potato famine ravaged every aspect of the Irish economy, leaving devastation in its wake. In the place where a thriving agricultural society once stood, criminal gangs emerged to exploit the desperate, famine-stricken population. As the great migration of farmers occurred, a parallel migration of crime families took place. Once in New York, the Moriarty family’s power became palpable, influencing every aspect of the city.
Now, Corina would soon be in the position of power her uncle envisaged, but not the way he intended. No. Her days of taking orders and completing his kill lists would soon end. Corina’s plans were much bigger than her uncle’s.
A knock on the door pulled her away from her thoughts.
“Yes?” It was a statement, but Corina tried to soften the response into a question.
The door cracked open and a meek female voice said, “Ma’am, everyone is in place and ready for your arrival.”
“Thank you Trudy, I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Corina said, with a sweet sincerity she reserved for such occasions.
The young woman was one of Hugh’s staff. She was good enough at her job, but far too cheerful for Corina’s taste. After the wedding, she would wipe that smile off her face. First, she needed to seal the deal to build her empire.
She lifted herself from the vanity table and smoothed out her dress. It was an off-white wedding dress, unlike anything she ever thought she would wear, but when needs must, she would do what needed to be done. If that was to play Barbie for a day to achieve her higher purpose, so be it.
As Corina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the captivating eyes staring back at her in the reflection. A shiver caused her skin to dimple as a darkness held her attention for a moment. Like something ominous was lurking in the shadows behind her soul. She shook the unease away, knowing her plans were solid. She would marry Hugh, then take his money, power, and his life.
Straightening her spine, Corina called out, “Trudy, my love! Come assist me, won’t you?”
The door opened without haste. “Yes, Ma’am. I’m at your service.”
The woman came in with her head bowed, a trait Corina liked. Oh, yes. She would be at Corina’s service. After the dreaded honeymoon, Corina planned to spend some quality time with her new handmaiden. Some training would be in order—not yet. Corina suppressed the itch to make the young woman kneel before her.
“Help me with this.” She held up a lace covered veil that matched her dress.
The young woman lowered her eyes, then moved toward Corina, accepting the item. A smirk stretched across Corina’s lips when she noticed the hands shake as they approached her, knowing the trembling was not the product of sexual tension. It was even better. Fear. She licked her lips as she thought. Oh, the potential.