Vite

h a towel slung low on his hips

man, he was car

tten wood preten

ice dropping to that low registe

d, my voice flat.

much, Elena. It

sacramen

piety and turned to the

table drawer and pulled out

gift for y

erest flickeri

to give gifts bef

r," I said. "Promise

ox. Weighed i

curve of his mouth that told me he

it on the nightstand, next to his watch and his loos

himself in

y jacket pocket t

the box didn'

ation. Elegant script. A death

name wasn't

atter when

was alrea

ed him

room had beco

to sleep

guys are ready for my bachelor party tomorrow." The club

ckly, and left. The velvet box sat

r click

bbed my phone and opene

for Sofia

as p

desperate t

sted a new video. The c

cked

filmed vertically on

room in. On one knee in a club booth. Sofia sat on a v

ld a

my r

r one.

htly slurred. "As soon as the old man kicks it and I move up,

mera p

had cooked for. Men I h

ering. They w

. All of

being betray

f a joke the entire o

r me. The tears froze

ry. I didn

emorized years ago from m

ri

voice was low.

Elena,"

is," Dante repl

g you a vid

nd

lence on the other end. The kind of

Dante

head in a box a

"I want his

on