ia

wearing an apron, the rhythmic clack-clack-clack of a w

ng because it was so perfectly, violently

s voice light, as if he hadn't ve

uitcase was still shoved under the

ed, not asking. "A family day.

t going,

ly. He set the bowl down wit

rides, and gripped my chin. His fingers dug into my

ace inches from mine. "We are a un

on a long-sleeved s

were already in the back seat. Dante opened the f

Leo sang along. I stared out the window, watching th

confetti, buying loyalty with every swipe of his black card. He bough

ht me a

ensive. I

ore. The manager rushed over,

m until it locked on a necklace. It was a sapphire pendant surrounded by a ha

ut involuntarily. It was the kind of piece a Ca

rap it up," he t

y heart stuttered. I thought he was going to apologize. I thou

turned

anding the box to Gia

yes wer

ssed by the blatant cruelty. I stood there, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks, burning

e car," I said,

p. "Take the keys. We wi

s stale and cold, smelling of exhaust and damp

aughter echoed off the concrete

cked t

und the corner, speeding the wrong way down the lane. It was m

e was directl

r. I was standing righ

esitate. He di

He shoved m

way. I slammed into the side mirror of the SUV, the met

hielding them as the car swerved at the

wed. Heavy an

a. He checked Leo. He ran his han

Did he hit yo

, sickening ache. My burned hand had scraped against th

" I whi

forehead, murmuring comforts, checkin

. I limped

used me as an obstacle-human debr

started walking to

didn't call the family