pent those days barricaded in the guest room, locked away, consuming

usions. The cold of the pool had frozen my h

. I wasn't a fiancé

suit. I applied heavy makeup to hide the dark circle

o the US

ago-a fail-safe I had hoped never to use. But the Moretti family

envelope. Inside was a passport. The ph

a Mor

"Your flight is scheduled for Friday night. Th

inner jacket pocket. It sat against my ribs like a

ached the gates, a convoy of black SUV

e. Through the tinted window of the lead car, I saw his profile. He

sure of his ownership over me, that the idea of me lea

ca returned ho

, drinking tea, star

the counter. The metal clattered loudly in the silen

smoothly. The lie tasted sweet on my

it instantly. "Of cou

rest on my shoulders. I forced myself not to flinch. His

murmured, burying h

e? After watching me

away and heading to the living room. "Like

couch. He put on some action movie. He put

rs began to stream down

crying for the girl who used to love him. I

saw the tears. He sig

nal lately, Elena

p, turning

mily' gala. I need you to buy her a gift. Something

an answer. He walke

nicely," he called back.

ving room, the silen

ft, alright. I would

d the safe and took out the black ledger. T

in of the Russo empire, w

ingle bag. I didn't need clo

d to survive