nna

ms broke with a sun that wa

aking a final, scratching sound as it

tirely a

ce to the mob was a physical sensation, li

ed in my paper and walked out o

began the quiet work of

e university located on the opposite side of the country-as

d box and began packing awa

e, the cufflinks bearing his family crest, and ever

doorway, watching me with

er arms around me, holdi

, Mom," I assured her, my voice steady. "I a

nock reverberated thr

oor to find Domenico

with deep, dark circles brui

ersity, for the blood had drained from hi

his large, intimidating fra

e the betrothal?" he asked desperate

eating a careful d

. "I am moving toward my own life. A l

ab my arm, but I mov

side, trembling sligh

hone and pressed play

eaker, bragging to another associate about how she had faked her i

a desperate, dark hop

ck bank card and tried

ing all the blame onto Lyla's deceit.

ece of plastic, then up at

ant to my decision," I told

omenico. Your cruelty, and your constant threat

on the hall table; the bank card follow

not challenging, but dismissive, as if looking str

iding home sharp and final. I did not know then that he wou

ed in a vibrant

ege life, completely detached from th

ted from the underworld

tta against Lyla, dismantling her family's reputat

shed was far, far aw

or year orientation, and saw his name projected in ma