Just A Substitute: The Don's Lost Love

ie

sun had even bre

rubbed clean of the personality

had scalded me, a crimson bran

was done crying

gaping open. I hadn't unpacked, and I wouldn't. Instea

birthday. The emerald earrings from my graduation. The plat

crushing weight of obligation. They were blood money. Payme

lvet cloth and shoved

lver of the locket my mother had given me before the car bo

ing it against my skin. It was the only thing i

s El

tood there with a tray of coffee. Her eyes widened w

ready?" she asked,

I lied. My voice was calm, det

oked at the jewels. "The Don...

hadn't noticed. Black velvet boxes stamped with t

u ruined yesterday," Maria whispered. "An

dersta

uby necklace sat inside, dark as fresh blood. I

em back,

is

ying my breath. "Tell him the only thing I want is for th

knew. In this house, walls had

ightstand. It was Eleano

so excited you're home. We're having a family di

, I don'

ad snatched the phone. "We're all dying to see you, E

ne wen

audience. She wanted to parade her vic

t the ruby

ke sure it was the last me

nd crystal. The air conditioning was set t

le black dres

king on his throne. Chloe sat to his right. I was pl

ired," Eleanor said,

exhaustin

large, lethal hands moved with surprising delicacy. He placed the me

. He used to know that sh

l of steak. "When is the wedding, Marcu

upted in pol

eyes fixed on Chloe. "W

inging clear like a bell. "Marcus told m

corrected quietly. "A

let you keep the allowance all these years in Florence.

was implying David was a go

rned white. "I haven't touched the all

s narrowed. "You work in a gal

s enough,

hloe. "Eat your vegetables, *Te

. He was performing a symphony of devotion

hich were piled high on my plate. He

forgo

ness in his touch, a dark intensity. He loved her. Or he was

oudly against the floor, shatte

e me,"

ommanded, not even looking

ull,"

o him. The room

ag of jewelry. I dropped it onto the table next to

y pocket. The bank transfer receipt for every

t on top o

" Chloe said, oblivious

at the bag.

asked, his voice

said. "For

alked out of t

. I forced m

e crash of glass shat