a P

them to The

the family's money laundering operations. The neon sign buzzed

and tucking the car between a dumpster and a

eering wheel so hard my

s passed.

ide door of th

ed out. He

ly a dress at all. It was a second skin of scarlet silk, slashed up the t

ed under t

over the drumming of the storm. The rain muffled

. "You said you'd be with me tonight! I s

ed at hi

didn't look angry. He looke

ng over the wind. "It's for show, So

g her body against his. "Like the ones

ath hi

e bay. He had told me it was a t

ere fo

the last few months was rewriting itself in my head. The la

e. "Isn't that enough? I'll give you anythin

spered, tracing a finger down his lapel. "

e," he

isse

ured her right there on the street, his hands roaming ove

legs around his waist as he carried her back in

n the d

mmered agai

run out of tears. I felt h

while he committed crimes that would send a normal man

e for a pair of

as just a man. A weak

ted th

te in a trance. It was 2

g at that bed. I went to the guest room at the end of the ha

vers, fully dressed, s

heard the roar

as b

airs. Then silence. He was in the mas

or

shook t

dn't

hall. Doors were being thrown

st room. He tried

Open th

said. My vo

ac

lintering sound, he kicked the door

chest heaving. He looked wild.

Why are you in here? I thought you w

ed to t

me. He pulled me into a crushing

growled, his voice trembling.

of rain.

d

lled l

g me so tight it hurt, desperate to rea

leep," I lied

thumbs stroked my cheeks. He looked

pered. He kissed my fore

sick. I don't wan

d. "I don

my face away. "Please,

ted. Then

"Rest. I'll see y

He looked back at me once, his silho

ou, Nora,

ight,"

d the br

e wood splinte

ouched another woman. If he truly lov

Just two