rd tasting foul. "You're unbelie

g with a disgust so prof

ying to her forehead dramatically.

act, the apartmen

e been waiting in the h

of feigned concern that quickl

led, his accent thick. H

t my body was slow, heav

e. His fist conne

I stumbled, hitting the

y ribs. I gasped,

d me. On

through the haze of pain. She sounded almost

look at me, crum

s arm. "Let's go. I need to get checked

out, leavi

r click

le

. My side ached

oment, the cold flo

drenaline, of pure

fingers clumsy, slick with

whisper my addre

anothe

ed out when she ans

torial, softened with immediate concern.

Alessandro...

on my

. I let the phone

coming. M