ina's

hough the expensive cut of mea

gesturing toward the emp

innings," I

te was empty, I p

ntacted a confidential service sp

t. Right now," I said, keeping

o charge double our emergency rate for t

t him off. "In cash. Be

d lived in for nearly seven years. Every piece of furn

s nothing more than a

the walk-in closet. My clothes hun

ready for an emergency-a habit I had develo

ing behind all the gifts and jewelry, except

clarity that he had never gi

that wasn't a tool designed

d. The movers

their faces completely impassive,

ly man with kind eyes,

fore," I said, my voice

nding the assignment. "Understo

ome was reduced to a cold, empty shell. They p

eld a photo of Dante and me in Tuscany, both of us smiling bright

up, and laid it face do

out without

hotel, but to a four-bedroom apartment in an unassuming building on the

ingenc

come. I was glad I had never told Dante about it. T

smell of fresh paint still lingering in the a

dn't realized I was s

g of being truly

he harsh sound sha

from

e throwing your tantrum. D

r. It was the pure arrogance of a deposed k

sage, my thumb hove

ught he coul

ind out just how