My mother answered on the sixth ring. "Elena, I am not doing this over the phone."

"Then give me the warehouse address."

Silence. I looked at Carlo across the flower-shop counter. He stared at the floor.

"Bianca," I said, "Dad just told me you signed for a warehouse."

The first man came through the corridor before we reached the outer door. He wore a dark work jacket and carried no box. That told me enough. Anton moved in front of Bianca. Mikhail caught my arm.

"Car. Now."

I pulled free on instinct. His eyes flashed. Then I heard

The next morning, Mikhail's bandage was still visible under the cuff of his shirt. I noticed. I did not comment. He noticed me noticing. He did not comment either. That was probably the healthiest interaction we'd had since getting married. We sat at the ba