38

FALLON Once the door closes and I am alone, I peel away the dress that clings to my body like a second skin. The fabric pools around my feet just as the door bursts open, and Leone storms in. His presence fills the space, dark and ominous. Milo isn’t with him, which sends a ripple of unease through me. “Leone...” I start, clutching the dress to my chest, but he doesn’t glance at me. The words streaming from his mouth are sharp and vicious, I have no idea what he is saying since he isn’t speaking English, but I know a furious voice when I hear one, and his demeanor right now is menacing. His voice makes me shiver despite not understanding a word. Without thinking, I dash to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me and twisting the lock. My heart hammers against my ribcage as if trying to escape the confines of my body. I strip off the rest of the dress and step into the shower, hoping the hot water will wash away my fear. The steam rises, fogging the mirror. The water splatters against