ab

t is still racing from being thrown over Dante's shoulder l

ce. His presence fills the entire car eve

know I should. But the

eas

vigates through Chicago traffic. The city rushes past the ti

t?" His voi

s in my lap. "My family. Before th

doesn't l

The reminder that I'm his now

ly. "Luca. Change of plans. Tak

id I hear

ut doesn't question it. Just changes

eyes are cold when they finally slide toward me. "You have fift

out shaky. "Thank you so muc

oks away again. "I'm no

to say to that.

ld. Or maybe time just moves differently when you're s

. Small. Cramped. Paint peeling on the sh

aybe I'm seeing it differently now t

utes," Dante

h the door handle. M

ered. Dusty. Smelling faintly of cigarett

m. He jumps up when I walk

aler than usual. Sicker. But her e

that probably cost more than our monthly ren

doorway because I don't feel welcome enough to

p. "To Valerio? That's wonderful! See,

I'm okay. If I'm scared. If

na says from the couch. Her voice is

bursts out before I can stop it. "

"Don't say nonsense, girl. Of course we love yo

nk polish, almost everything about her is pink

me cracks just

unds distant. Like it's coming from someone els

a snaps. Then she starts cough

s. He's not looking at me anymore. He's looking past me. Like I

s behind me. He

t stands there with his hands in his pockets. Lookin

r changes. He straightens up. Smooths

e just telling Isabella how happy we are f

uts through Father's ramb

e more time. Waiting f

goes back upstairs. Papa wrings

urage," Elena says finally.

im. My eyes are burning but I refuse t

veling. Pathetic. "Mr. Valerio, abou

is too quiet for me to hear, but

t to think about how easily my family let me go. How qui

stop you." Dante's vo

't an

even

voice crack

with those cold gray eyes that sometim

e kind with a single dress in the window and no price

ut to greet us. "Mr. Valerio. Eve

s. It smells like expensive perfume and lilies. But I'm s

he dresses,

e wedding dresses waiting. Each one is beautiful. E

Dante orders.

is entertainment. But I'm tired. So tired of fighting so I jus

dress. Lace sleev

d. Too mu

d. Too r

akes me look

The fifth dre

at flows into a soft skirt. The fabric is silk that catches th

beaut

e the girl looking back. She looks older. More soph

eone who

me. I see Dante's refl

es one look at his face and leav

e al

s eyes move over the dress. Over

round,"

ed in the back. I've been h

can feel the heat from his body. Smell h

my spine as he rea

ys reacting this way when he's close. How do I say I h

icking into place feels deliberate. Intentional. His kn

haking,"

m c

ia

he doesn't step away. His hand s

yourself,

towering behind me in his dark suit. Me in white silk

is voice is low and rough. Dif

ches. "You do

my back to my waist. Pulling me against him. "You're m

I'm not sure i