eightless; it was heavy, as if I

e clinic feeling u

b was

rt was

they were carrying dry

to rest. The doctor ha

se wasn't h

monument to a

nd myself wandering the corridors of the privat

ed to

what he had tr

corner and

outside a pr

s sleeves rolled up to reveal the dar

t the wall, listening

ia emerged f

t walking; she

er back and grimaced, a thea

diately st

ands surprisingly gentle,

ed her b

sual, posse

touch he use

my throat, bi

up and locked

ion hardene

oice a low warning. "Wh

ask if I

or of my skin or the way I was le

w a threat

ned, and she let

sorry. I didn't kno

ing for effect, an

hrough mine, her gri

r stomach. "A little Moretti. I know it must be hard

the knife

e, waiting for h

or him to

checked

dly. "She isn't petty enough to let

y bus

iled away my trau

ed. "You must come, Elena. We need to

g well," I said

fine. Just a bit pale. Put on some

n't a

order fr

o weak t

they sat together

them, like an

e about her risot

and the entire kitchen st

her food

red he

t look a

ch, cloying smell of truffle

blee

ld fe

r had sai

the dutiful wife to a ma

restroom," I murm

felt lik

ir table, a low rumb

ed in slo

chandelier above t

chor g

Sofia s

ove. She just threw

idn't h

lun

ms, shielding her body with h

e to save her, his sh

nt f

e floor with a

nced agains

wn exactly where I had be

exploded li

laster fil

were r

ehead, and my ha

ze, I saw Dant

holding

" he was shouting.

ng hysterically

look at

't look

t his security detail. "We

out, stepping o

ing o

floor, watching hi

nd pooled on the white mar

s al

ai