orld

to process the words that had ju

ry

were still moving to the music. Still playing the part of

your mind," I

enough to hurt, just enough to remind me he was

t marryi

already happened and we were just waiting for me to catch up. "Because i

system the way it used to when I heard gunshots

at a t

mine. "The man in the gray suit. Three

rs ago to trust my gut over my curiosity. So I waited, let Dante s

guy. Expensive watch.

calculating, like he was measuring me f

he?" I

less. "He's been watching you since you walked in. And i

nt Ca

me like a fis

o'd been at every birthday party, every family dinner. Th

ears trying to prove had

" I said, but

you go pale the second I said his name? Why are your han

't tre

pt I

mn

know Vincent

ouchable." Dante leaned closer, his voice dropping to barely a whisper. "But here's what most people don't know he's been looking for you.

od ran

father's old contacts. I'd been so careful. Changed hotels every nig

not caref

t knows I'

ul enough to protect you. Someone with the resources to keep you hidden and

t someon

omeone

us were pulling apart, applauding po

attered most. "Why would you help m

ed a wife, Aria. Someone presentable. Someone with the right connections and the ri

ld marry

g back, putting proper distance between us like we reall

"You don't trust

n, maybe, buried under layers of ice. "But I al

stopped

s

u

my lungs in a

r appeared on my radar six months ago, I did what I always do...I investigated. Bank accounts. Travel records

uestio

G

God, oh God

watching me f

ond you disappeared, I started looking. It took time you covered your tracks well but I a

t do anything but stand there while my care

w abou

own for

finish the question. Cou

ngerous. "No. Not yet. The DNA test I ordered is still pro

it. Wanted to do anything exce

hat lies only bought you time

I whi

to see the man he used to be the soldier who'd loved me, who'd held me like I

slammed bac

s card from his pocket, pressed it into my hand. "My

I don'

his cologne something dark and expensive that made my trai

ust me, Aria you don't want me showing up at whatever safeho

The kind of smile that

well, t

disappearing into the crowd li

ance floor, holding a business card tha

ay suit was talking on his p

knew I w

new abo

s, neither of whom would hesitate to

in my hand. Heavy stock.

TE

OBAL ENT

on the back, i

Our son is co