-

lence that ke

n of loneliness

s like a painting that refused to dry. Lights flickered like fireflies below, traffic a low hum in the distanc

inting propped against

com

hung it ye

he very act of placing it on the wall w

inded him of a woman who didn't even

na M

ho didn't n

e couldn't

-

r clearly - not the Florence café inci

itch deck. A tiny start-up with big dreams

. The curve of her signatu

n't re

th

Made sure the path she walked wasn't

ever

t was t

-

as back in

suite

e. A place where power did

now. Steel dressed in velvet

her yet. Hadn't even

mself it w

p down,

aiting to

ot thanked. No

os

cotch, the warmth spreading

d to control. Ma

veled him in th

tood taller when

n't beg to be seen

e said, "I'll come to

her too much to stea

-

hair, bare feet so

w didn't know

hey w

eady to look his w

standi

il

ea

it

men weren't mea

meant to

had all the ti