Page 1 of Sincerely, Butterfly

PROLOGUE

EIGHT YEARS AGO

JASPER

“Jasper.”My head snaps up at the sound of my father’s voice. Closing the book I’m reading, I place it on the coffee table.

“Yes?” I ask, getting to my feet.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I wait for him to speak.

He’s dressed in a full black suit, like always. His ebony hair is styled back neatly, while mine is longer, messier.

He looks so put together, controlled, powerful, while I struggle to live up to his honor.

I strive to be like this man in every way, but no matter what I do, I never seem to feel like I’m doing a good enough job.

I want to make him proud, to do our family’s name justice.

“Come with me. I want to have a talk before tonight's party.”

The party. The one I’ve been dreading.

The parties that once brought me excitement because I’d get to see her. The one person who could bring light to all the dark thoughts swirling inside my head.

Nodding, I follow him as he turns around, heading through the sliding door that leads to the backyard.

It's a nice spring day, the sun shining bright. I hate it. It’s too warm. I prefer the night.

We take the steps down off the deck and head toward the rose bushes. And it’s not just bushes, we have a whole maze of flowers and hedges.

Mom loves her gardening, but especially the roses. We can more than afford to hire someone to tend to them, but Mom prefers to do it herself.

It gives her something to do. She says it calms her.

She always looks so happy when she’s back here, her hands dirty, sweat dripping down herforehead.

I love seeing her like that, it makes her more real. In the world I’ve grown up in, most women care more about money and status and would never be caught dead getting dirty.

“I know you're aware of your duties to come, the life changes that await you, and all that it entails.” My father breaks the silence, shoving his hands in the pockets of his suit pants. “But have I ever told you the history of our families? How the Brotherhood became what it is today?”

My brows furrow, my mind working to think.Did he?

“No,” I answer. As far as I can remember, the Brotherhood has been a part of my life. I know enough about it, the rules of the organization, and what's expected of me, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard the story of how it came to be.

“Nearly two hundred years ago, three struggling business owners found themselves in dire need. Henry Shaw, the owner of one of the first banks of Louisiana, Walter Reid, owner of one of the first pharmacies in New Orleans, and Thomas Park, owner of one of the most popular hotels in the city.

“The three of them were the best of friends and confided in one another about their downfalls. Drunk one night, they found themselves stumbling upon a man while walking through Jackson Square. Something seemed off about this man, but they paid it no mind, as there were many strange characters that migrated to New Orleans. The man overheard them talking about their sorrows and offered to help. Now, Henry, Walter, and Thomas thought the things he was saying were just the babblings of a crazed man. Still, this man told them that if they wanted all the riches in the world, he could give them the answer to solve their problems."

“How?” I ask, coming to a stop at one of the maze’s entrances.

Dad turns to face me, a rare smile cracking on the corner of his lips. Smiles were only ever reserved for my mother. However, I was lucky enough to get a few for myself during some of my biggest achievements in life.

“Magic, of course."

I snort in a mock laugh, because magic isn’t real.

Dad’s smile falls. “It’s hard to believe, because magic isn’t real, right? Well, those three men believed the same thing. They laughedin this man's face, called him crazy, and let him be. Weeks went by, and their businesses continued to fail. They got together again, talked about their troubles, and remembered what the crazy man said.”