ence

ring a string of frantic apologies, she scrambled bac

cesco turned back to the steaming plate o

cking edge in his voice. "Using my hand

ed it onto the counter, fi

d to use any

ss? Didn't you say you didn't care anymore?" He stepped cl

es without a ripple of emotion. "That's my car seat.

my indifference, he swung his arm across the isl

loud and jarring in the dead of night. Hot n

ed, lunging forward to grip my chin, forcing my head up. "Y

uggle, just stared at him as if he we

or crack open an inch. Maria was peeking through

Francesco flung my chin away a

get ou

ad bowed. Francesco gestured

ng services. She wants to be independent so badly? L

s eyes

ir. Rig

reak down or beg. Instead, I stepped carefully around th

oing?" he barked

I pulled my trench coat off the rack, slipped my feet into my f

. Watching the metal doors slide shut over Francesco's l

Manhattan as dawn broke, I wrapped my coat t

e driver asked in a

ing. It was nearly seven in the morning; knowing Dr.

out my phone, opened the email containing the

king a steadying breath, I walked in. The receptionist smiled warmly and led me

as standing by the window with a mug of coff

lier than I expe

rted." I walked over and placed my

per, adjusted his g

though, I think you need a glass

m his assistant, then looked down at the