te

ouse wasn't peaceful

a physical weight that p

een the star of the evening, holding court and recounting the dramat

have be

y stomach, a cold coil of

into th

" I cal

le

the kitc

d the co

asn't

had told myself it was discipline. A necessary lesson. I

at a time, I went up

or was

oset w

de was

t messy

nst the dark wood. The drawers were

a strange, e

actually

to the ni

a large

ened

ree. Signed. No

th it wa

as on the phone, turning away from her, my at

tten on the

still does

ing. It was neat, precis

ft my lung

an

urn

ing a silk robe, the fabric shimmering under th

oice light and unbothered. "I need so

d, my voice sounding

e said. "Wh

inside m

n my chest, severing whatever bli

ed at

really loo

ment in her eyes.

agile. She wa

ut," I

her smile fal

. My voice was a low growl, v

're joking.

ed tow

ear flickering in her e

medal, didn't

o! Elena

I hadn't checked, but I knew. Suddenly, wit

ce cru

to see how petty she w

ut!" I

care about her nerve damage.

e, pl

door. I opened it. I shov

I said. "And n

med th

cked

ad against the woo

ned a

massive. It

pletely, terri

he divorce pa

a Vit

aken back

aken back

left me with