na

t a home; it was a fortress, a gilded

within its walls

, assuming that because I hadn't run crying to my father, I had

ow I was bui

lted shut against the rest of the house. On

d the r

el

y the soft, rhythmic sound of

s you, Care

voice was dripping

thly. "Earning the mone

e bragged. "Did you know?

record button on the small, discreet device I

s me he can't stand touching you. H

ntered, my voice devoid of em

e sound. "He calls me his Lu

m. Leo, Jameson's African Grey parrot,

ed, a perfect, haunting mimicr

t for months. Before the we

ing into the driveway. He hates it when I'm on

ne wen

transferred the file to the

oor open. Jameson's heavy foot

called out.

eerful. The d

desk. Inside, wrapped carefully in a tissue

hand on m

ld cement the alliance. The baby that woul

son was

bringing the scent of rain

to kiss my cheek. I didn't

" I said, clos

he reminded me. "My parents. Your par

I said.

s. He was too arrogant to see the knife un

he commanded softly.

," I

ld we

olor