Chapter 10: First Night

Luca did not ask what Franklin had said to me at the elevator.

He sat beside me in the back of the car with one hand on his knee.

His eyes stayed on the window.

I did not speak all the way across the bridge.

Mercy General.

I had practiced for six years not hearing the name of that hospital.

My husband had said them in my ear with two hundred people watching.

At the house, Luca walked me up the stairs.

He stopped outside my door and stood there with his hands in his pockets.

"You were shaking in the car," he said. "I won't ask why."

"Thank you."

"Good night, Audrey."

He turned toward his own door.

I stood with my hand on the knob and watched his back.

I had spent four years in a house where no one touched me unless it was for show.

I had spent six years being careful with every word.

I was tired of being careful.

"Luca."

He stopped.

"Rule three," I said. "I believe I wrote it."

He turned his head, slowly.

"I'm revoking it."

For a moment he did not move.

Then he crossed the hall in three steps.

I felt the wall against my back and his hands on either side of my head.

"Say that again," he said.

"I'm revoking it."

"Tell me why."

"Because I'm not afraid of you," I said. "I haven't been since the cellar."

"I stood next to your gun and I wasn't afraid."

"I thought you were putting up with me."

"I'm not putting up with anything."

He looked at my mouth.

"I thought you were here because you had nowhere to run."

"I had a bridge and a full tank of gas," I said. "I came here."

He kissed me.

It was not careful.

His mouth took mine hard and slow.

My hands went into his hair, and the whole length of him pressed me to the wall.

He tasted of coffee and smoke.

I pulled him through the door of his room and kicked it shut, and he lifted me off my feet.

"Your heart," I said against his jaw.

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