a P

ng the heavy diamond on my finger until its

d to tick by not on the clock, but

minute

t parched from rehearsing the ultimatum I planned

ing with a firm, proprietary pr

an

in an oversized cashmere s

supposed

ff a ledge and tucked into bed

of muscle. A flicker of guilt crossed his face when

is gaze fixed on a point just over m

ed at

ing, watery smile that

a high, rasping sound, like fine sand being ground against

e bread basket, an

lk scarf tied

e the kidnappers had used

her t

was we

g that, Bianca?" I

let out a gasp, as if real

" she cr

back, her h

ge Americano the waiter h

ash; it erupted, a wave of heat and da

y throat, the air seized from my lungs a

Matteo

dn't reac

ilating, screaming that the

o his arms, shushing

t coffee, look at me, bre

hite silk dress, the delicate skin of my

harp, immediat

ompared to the phant

sensation dr

o mont

during a thunderstorm becaus

o entertain the B

he deal Matteo was missing, I drank shot

had shredded its

oi because my body, ravaged and weakened, could no

d it a sacrifice

the floor with a sound that tore thro

finally landing on the angry re

said, an absurd note o

aving,"

bed my

eo said, but Bianca let out a high

tteo! Please! The d

ed at her,

id, his voice hardening. "I'll

my back

to the bathroom, peeling the silk from my blistering skin under the harsh vanity lights. I stared at the an

said when

ssa? What

old and steady. "The eighteenth time. I can't do

ilence me

re?" he fin

at my reflection. "This