loud, and smelled of exp

ck, nursing a glass of water. Anna

na said for the tenth

at the table. She

rink," Fran

concussion,"

n't c

e waiter. "Two w

buzzed. A text mes

still have

a voi

mb hovered over

," Ann

now," France

resse

and distorted, cut t

t was a stillbirth? He sent a letter to your father's office today. A blackmail attempt. He says he has record

ancesca's hand. It clatte

ded. The laughter of the c

cri

babies d

bies do

ancesca whispered. Her

he phone, her fa

revealing a core of molten lava underneath. "They

thed. "Oh my god, Fran

. She downed it in one swallow. The

ore. Her eyes were dry and hard. "My son is al

ripping her hand. "We will bur

on at the

oud, obnoxi

sca lo

uxedo. And hanging on his arm, in a

re cele

a physical bl

the room for admirers. His e

fro

d. She whispered something in Lance'

muttered, tryin

i to my sister,"

pped at

lie asked, flashing the diamond ring.

"Get the hell a

ancesca. There was no pity in his eyes. On

" Francesca said. S

oo weak for this world. Too emotional. That's why you

d. It was a terrifying sound

na's whiskey glass

don't," La

sca th

quarely into Dollie's face.

ike a banshee. "M

ved Franc

back, hitti

tch!" Lance r

e figure detached himself from the wall. He

ward, but the man in th

touch Lance. He just stood there, a wal

" Cooper asked

d my fiancée!

t Lance. He turned his back on Lan

ted, reached out to grab Cooper's

ed his weight, and as Lance lunged, Coop

crashed to the floor in a he

rupted in

ooper. She knew it instantly.