sie's pre-war apartment building. A

rom the back seat with a m

at them. "Wha

aid, leaning against the ca

, a lazy, impersonal gesture. She was about t

o his lips, then an

Austin demanded. "Where is

on't think she wants to talk to you." He held t

took the phone. The name "A

" she asked, her v

ng," he cooed. "Did you receive my flowe

's arms. The pieces clicked into pla

ord a shard of ice. "I don't want your dinner. And I

d handed the phone back to Kit. A st

gesturing to the roses. "Red

it followed, pressing t

m away in front of your window. Let the w

ish, vindictive, a

s. From the street, Kit lit a c

n, without hesitation, she shoved the bouquet out the window, directly into

out his cigarette, took a picture of the ruined

ne. "Austin embracing Ivey Dennis at t

, he was knocking on

en she opened it, "then I'll

ide and handed

e hospital corridor, clutching a weeping Ivey to h

nality of throwing away the roses was nothing

ed, her voice trembl

he looked at her pale, stricken face. For th

ce. Not now. You need a shield, and I

hought, give you a cha