na

n my stomach, existin

ing the first aid kit for the vodka

-hot fire that seared through m

pt me

brought, leaving the trays

to speak

ird day,

scabs and blooming bruises that

obe, the fabric cool ag

nto the ma

wasn't

the walk-

took every bag, every shoe, every p

them to th

em over th

three stories below-a deluge of L

shielding their eyes as they stared

back

twenty-four

ng for Dante to come home, only for him to

this

, a gallery owner who knew nothing about the

I want to go out.

py birthday! Are you s

ted," I cut in, m

a backl

It was a decla

ry crimson ridges crisscrossing m

ted them

world to se

b was loud, dark

a VIP

hampagne.

I felt like a person, buoye

houted over the music. "But

cuse slipping out effort

the atmosphere in

e air got heavier, charged wi

ted like t

walk

ee other soldiers, moving with

So

cou

earing a white dress that made

canned

s locke

he backl

w the

w tigh

ur booth, darkness

ere?" he demanded, lo

drink with feigned nonchalance. "I

aid, his voice low and danger

Dante. You're the o

tepped

voice dripping with faux concern. "We didn't kn

, Sofia,

her like that,"

wearing heels, so I was a

te pet? Because she's the

Dante said. He r

uch me!"

c seemed

e was w

ence like a blade. "You beat your wife like a dog because

ned. His hand was twitchin

"I hate you, Dante. I hate yo

e of champagne fr

't aim

us, wanting to smash it, to m

d. "She's goi

herself

acted on

hove

h me back, to c

d his full

w bac

tower of champagn

afening-a sympho

shat

ds of

he floo

in my arm, my

le of expensive alcoh

nd me, mixing with the champagn

Clara s

en, his hand sti

oked

e blood spreadi

"Dante... I think I

looked

looked a

esit

econd, he

he turned

, helping her sit down o

as the

final nail

band check his mistress for a twisted ankle w

ted to

wet, gurg

off his jacket and pressed it

shouted at the staff, his

ad snapped

e amount

ashed in

a step t

ena

" I whi

im through th

dare come