ella

endearing, a sign of his focus on me. Now it j

ce carefully neutral. "M

ple in his perfect domestic sea. "A week in Santorini. Just the two of us. Away from all this." He ges

It was a lie, but my life wa

added, and the casual way her name left

anniversary. I'll give it to you when we get back." The

the problem was solved.

I asked, genu

red. "Our anniv

ash in my mouth. I had been so consumed by the b

paused, a flicker of irritation in his eyes, before pressing a dry ki

ctress in the final scenes of a tragedy,

gle, long dark hair that was not mine. It was a ghost, a remnant of her presence in

pointless. My war wasn't

nt. "I have an early meeting across town," he said, adjusting his tie.

tti Family didn't have "potential issue

fe," I

econd phone, a burner, in the false bottom of his humidor. He thought I didn't

screen lit up with

t night wa

t wait until

tell her abou

leaned over his mahogany desk, my hands braced against the cool wood, and took deep, shudderin

, like a man who had successfully put out a fire. My f

he warehouse?" I asked,

ing his jacket over a chai

e. A tremor started in my hands, a violent, uncontrollable sha

it the seafood again?" He put his hand o

ness. It was the last of Isabella Morett