r Va

slab of imported marble, col

at the head

s

at to he

he window-positioned like a guest

bowl of salad

" he

down at

in a thick p

ly allergic

n kne

he ER simply because he had kiss

oat closed up, swearing he would

t this," I

using halfway to his mouth. "It'

peanuts,

pau

t the salad

ion in his eyes, followed immed

I forgot. Just p

d' an allergy," I said

twirling her wine glass. "Julian made

e I don't want to die

e, the silverware rattling. "Both of you. Embe

ked, taking

d suddenly, dro

ian was ins

her leg. "I think I twisted it

as a

much as shifte

out of his ch

up into his arm

car," he said. "We ne

..." Estell

nner," Ju

carrying her like s

't look

sk if I wan

e table, staring down at the b

too

keys and fo

ed to

final nail

keeping a safe distance b

hem up to th

telle's room w

y, pressing my back a

lle's voice drifted out. "But what a

a debt," J

was clear.

ying her pays that debt. It makes m

love her?" E

was a

heavy

look at her, Estelle. She's broken. She's scarred. Every

pau

paid. I can stash her at the country estate.

he rustle

have been. The wedding is just a

e wall until I

de

ansa

a perso

ice he was wa

y scars as a ba

s graffiti on

too

t surprisin

ief wa

pe was

ld, hard resolve of a woman

away from

out of th

o my car

back to th

to the

ng from my finger and hurl

without

w was

time to bu