nna

n a thick, suff

she extends an invitation to the syndicate's fou

ays, her voice tight with worry.

cut her off. "Sen

t understand. In this world, to disappear is to show weakness-to bleed in water filled with sharks. If I hide

is to show weakness-to bleed

d dark stilettos, I arrive at The Bellaros

the low murmur of deals being made and loyalties being tested. These gatherin

front of the room, only to be direct

ha

the chair reserved by trad

ictor, using her fork to deftly remo

my nape rise, and the fabric against my skin turns damp and cold. It is a new release from

my seat, my place. She is trying to become me-or

there. She rises, her eyes widenin

arry to the surrounding tables. "I am so sorry. I for

move to vac

His eyes sweep over me the way one regards an in

Sienna," he says, rubbing his

umber three and si

reezes the e

quiet and turn their at

ion. They are weighing my silence, trying to determin

s, a rival lieutenant approache

glass and holds

ically blocks the glass, pla

weet, saccharine smile. "Victor's stomach cannot h

e murmur their appr

erformance by a woman who has memorized my h

me a secure text: Victor had contracted a blood infecti

water and tip it onto the

ark, spreading stain. Ev

oom, thin and sharp as a shard of ice. "He is on a course of antibiotics

goes dea

a, watching the color

asic medical facts end up so eager to pla

rembles, and tear

e table and stands, moving

e shouts, his jaw clenched. "You are em

r through ignorance or intention, I don't know and I no longer care-and I realize somet

an I spent four

ther woman from my w

my gaze, I reach

edding ring from my finger

Victor's plate, coming to res

ingle life, V

alk away fro

sob behind me, cryin

oors of the banquet hall, a part of me l

do no

sper of a hundred hushed conversations, already beginning to dissect what they just w

, Don Dante will receive a report of tonight's events. I wonder what the