i

Franco wrapped his arms

neck. "But you need to relax. Why don't you write

lked to the kitchen t

e ring from

in the ju

didn'

p and logged into

s, was a thriller about a

ction on my rea

te s

nd actually

r the keyboard. I didn't need to invent scen

eipt. She realizes the man sleeping beside her is a str

pened a separa

vidence. I started printing photos of the duplic

o asked, a glass of

ammed again

his view of the file, grabb

gly steady. "For the new book. Tax doc

ced a

I was saving the s

ted. He didn't even ask the ti

d downed his drink in a practiced move. "Get dressed. Xavier's th

envelope, addressed to a journalist, an

club where families mingl

n a bla

ed, the music

llow soldier, waved us over to a VI

le!" Xavier boomed

smile and raised a glass of water to

I saw

mi

ress, but her skirt was too short,

ed a tray

his wasn't an accident. He'd planted

eyes locked on Franco. He

ugh the bass. Wine splashed onto

ldiers jumped up, yelling.

rinking back, a practiced look of

snapped, wiping his shoes. "

the table. The sound was

s voice was sharp

d the help. There's no kindness in the

ranco said, his voice t

eyes wide, tears well

o me, confused. "Franco, re

s eyes glinting with drunken malice. "Go on, sweetheart. Give

veryone at the ta

She took a step towards him, swayed, and d

l dizzy," s

He stood up, snatched my glass of wa

ced to the table, the lie so flimsy

ist, steadying her. In front

ed, meant for her, but lo

vely on her hip, while the rest of t

a stranger. He w

trap of my clutch, the thi

told mysel

r stage. The world

him be the biggest f

aven, t