Chapter 29.

NORA CARUSO I woke up with a gasp, my body jerking violently against the sheet. For a disorienting second, I didn't know where I was, the morning sun was streaming through the windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the l air. Then, I looked at my hands. They were clean, I had scrubbed them raw last night until the skin was pink and stinging, but in the harsh light of day, I could still see the stains of Nikolai’s blood trapped in the fine lines of my palms. The events of the previous night crashed back into me, I threw the covers off and stood up. My body ached, my feet were cut and bruised from running barefoot on concrete. My shoulder was stiff from where I had supported Nikolai’s dead weight. I walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection. I dressed quickly, ignoring the rows of designer dresses Nikolai had filled my closet with. I chose black trousers and a simple grey cashmere sweater. I left my room and headed straight for the first-f