All Chapters of A CONTRACT SIGNED IN BLOOD AND DESIRE : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Lina stared at her mother.“Grandma?”Her mother nodded slowly.“Yes.”“But Grandma died before I was born.”“I know.”“Then how could she take the baby?”Her mother looked away.“Because she didn't die when everyone thought she did.”The room went silent.Lina felt a chill run through her.“She's alive?”Her mother didn't answer.“Mom, is my grandmother alive?”“Yes.”Lina stepped back.“How?”“She disappeared.”Noah frowned.“You never told me that.”“I couldn't.”Daniel looked angry.“You should have told them years ago.”Her mother turned toward him.“And what would that have changed?”“Everything.”Lina looked between them.“Stop talking around me.”Everyone became quiet.She took a deep breath.“I want the whole truth.”Her mother nodded.“When your grandmother discovered I was pregnant, she wanted the children.”“Why?”“Because she believed the four of you would become the strongest bloodline in The Circle.”Lina shook her head.“We weren't even born.”“She didn't care.”“What

Lina stared at the message.IF YOU WANT YOUR BROTHER ALIVE, COME ALONE.Her fingers went cold.“That's Lucas,” she whispered.Fames immediately shook his head.“No.”Lina looked at him.“What?”“You're not going alone.”“They have my brother.”“And that's exactly why they want you alone.”Lina looked at her grandmother.“Do you know where he is?”Her grandmother nodded.“Yes.”“Then tell me.”“I can't.”“Why?”“Because the people who took him are watching us.”Lina looked around the room.“Then let them watch.”She started toward the door.Fames grabbed her hand.“Lina.”She turned.“I have to go.”“No. We find another way.”“There isn't time.”“There is always another way.”Lina pulled her hand free.“You don't understand.”“I understand more than you think.”She looked at him.“My brother has spent his whole life not knowing who he is. Now someone has him, and you want me to sit here and do nothing?”“No.”“Then let me go.”Fames shook his head.“I said I'd protect you.”“I don't ne

Lina stared at Lucas.“You're the heir?”Lucas nodded.Her grandfather stood behind him, watching silently.Lina looked at Leah, then Noah.“So what does that make us?”Lucas gave a small smile.“My sisters and brother.”Lina shook her head.“But you said I wasn't the heir.”“You aren't.”“Then why have they been chasing me?”Lucas looked at their grandfather.“Because they thought you had the key.”Lina touched the ring on her finger.“The key doesn't belong to me?”“It belongs to the family.”“Then why did Dad give it to me?”Lucas's expression changed.“Because he wanted you to find me.”Lina stared at him.“Why?”“Because I'm the only person who can stop this.”Her grandfather laughed quietly.“You still believe that?”Lucas turned toward him.“I know what you did.”The old man's smile disappeared.“You know nothing.”“I know you took me from my mother.”“I saved you.”“You locked me away.”“I kept you alive.”Lina stepped between them.“Enough.”Her grandfather looked at her.“Yo

Lina stared at Elias.For several seconds, nobody spoke.The words he had just said kept repeating in her mind.They’re coming for you.Fames stepped closer to Lina, his eyes fixed on Elias.“Who?” he asked.Elias looked at him.“The Circle.”Lina swallowed. “Why me?”Elias hesitated.“That is the question I was trying to keep you from asking.”Lina shook her head. “No. I am done being protected by lies. Everyone keeps telling me they are doing things for my safety, but all it has done is leave me confused.”Her mother lowered her eyes.Lina noticed.“Mom,” she said quietly. “You knew.”Her mother looked at her.“I knew there were things I couldn't tell you.”“Things about my father?”Her mother said nothing.Lina felt her chest tighten.Fames reached for her hand, but Lina barely noticed.Elias walked toward the table and placed the file in front of her.“This is everything I managed to keep from The Circle.”Lina opened it.The first pages contained old photographs, documents, and n

Lina stared at the stranger.Then she looked at Fames.“What does he mean?”Fames said nothing.The silence was enough.Lina's stomach dropped.“You know something.”Fames looked at her, his face unreadable.“I know who your father is.”The room became completely silent.Lina took a step toward him.“Then why didn't you tell me?”“Because I wasn't sure.”“You knew enough to keep it from me.”“I was trying to protect you.”Lina shook her head.“Everyone says that. My mother said it. Elias said it. My grandfather said it. And now you.”The stranger smiled.“You see? She is finally beginning to understand.”Fames turned sharply toward him.“Leave.”The man laughed.“You still think you can protect her?”Fames stepped forward.“You've said enough.”The man's expression changed.“Tell her.”Fames remained silent.“Tell her what you discovered years ago.”Lina looked at Fames.“What did you discover?”Fames finally spoke.“I found an old record connected to your family.”“What record?”“You