Vite

ment was

oxes stacked like a fortress. I told myself I was packing f

oat. I wasn't packing. I was e

he lock shatte

roses in his hand. The kind you

smile easy. "Sorry I'm lat

i

, glued to the secure phone, waitin

ey were already wiltin

you,"

ed tired, but there was a flush on his che

a smear on

erry red

er wo

owed my g

kly, the laugh too loud. "She tripped. Spi

, Luca," I said. "Al

t hear t

d in to

gently at his chest. "Yo

, pinching

for

clicked shut. Wate

t from where he'd dr

dry room. I didn't p

the faucet.

d began to scrub at the colla

irt. I was scrubbing

who looked at a low-level soldier with stars i

tupid hope that loyalty me

ore. A wet,

threw the rag

ng room and sat on the co

ca had taken when he got his butt

roken th

e penalty for be

sy. To

im to watch while I burned his c