a mausoleum for the living. Stone walls, gargoy

hey walked up the steps.

stale, smelling of b

, uncles, cousins. The extended family.

was even tighter than the red one. She was holding a mar

d. She whispered something to the

t her h

ward a corner, away

ger papers," Clive hissed. "Your father

father is waiting for

Tell him to sign it, Ivy

fingers dug in. It was a

is hand. Then she lo

t. She thought of the vi

of me,"

nked. "Ex

id, l

ned in

mother. And then I might accidentally mention the withdraw

k. He dropped her wris

do you know

on Bruno's desk in the hotel room. Just a glance. A spr

Catrina's new apartment in SoHo was paid for by a

embezzlement. That was prison t

u want?" he

thed her

m me tonight. Second,

ed towar

his mistress.

mily. I c

Or I go talk t

ted his te

Ivy watched. She saw the argument. Cat

ink down on a waiter's tray and

ath she didn't kn

had

l do

om behind her. It

tu

stood there. Her

lways wore black. It made he

r," Iv

nd pinched the soft flesh of Ivy's uppe

Claudia whispered. "I saw t

it," Ivy said

e calls off the wedding, we lose ever

eyes bore

t happens to

The victory

" Ivy w

irs and fix your hair.

released

he spot. It

ward the stairs. She fel

d. A gust of wind bl

ell over

walk

g the suit. T

. His eyes landed o

win