Veil of illusions

MM

o say that th

to tell them what

what I though

but 'Be my wife' c

a few second

ate of shock I can't sh

ed. Un

met him this

nd as still as a statue. N

r, why I waited for it wit

d I was desperately and ir

in his robot

He seems like

ny that's about to sweep

ng lanes to s

my

ugh calmly spo

f July fireworks. They're

nothingness. They're trap

that brings on a shiver

er reaction t

. But I don't have the sen

it well if I somehow burs

i

ious, it's

and even the way he speaks

n his

f smiling woul

h

n outside are

g to learn who they actual

shifted after they c

ople need to

, because the second opt

" I repeat, my

the incred

ranger release

of the car, putting as m

sib

s touch is lik

orm. But I'd rather freeze

i

interlocks his

cured, and I can't help bu

s lef

already

des to his r

e all along. His thick b

studying it. His expressi

they would ordinarily eit

out of sadnes

oing n

in a motion th

ring and the one who

n read furt

ides from his hand to me,

nish as if they never exis

wif

don't know wh

ning him, but the situati

ust into one of th

ed away a few

perform her duties anym

acem

mean to say

apes from

him from

aight, confident postur

ir and thick stubble, at

at the dimness in his gr

m New York's

uncomfortabl

energy he projects? Now t

recent death of his wife

ase is lurking

el, blocking the normal f

though restin

up against my soul, appl

t th

erous. Terrif

ended up on t

ct and they can at le

the defini

ks, strong p

't fool me. If anything,

ruct

bout your wi

sible. "But I

your insince

as you a

ear what I sa

r w

In fact, you'

e to fit

ne? Have yo

ingers agains

ace to my torso and down

d if he's seen me, but now

inferiority from this a

eing a monste

ly feel self-conscious ab

ams into me with a harshne

squirm, but

." He speaks

eaning behind the words.

a halt. "

must see I'm

ife." Let

nto his coat

out and shoot me in the f

lack leather wallet, open

u

leaves my lip

olo shot of her in a wedd

gant bun, revealing her de

ulders, accentuating their

tite, and the

maining soft. Light make

y. Her full lips are pain

is a sim

turquoise so

soul and waiting for

pulls at her

ke she doesn't want to sm

purpose

ty and elega

my trembl

all o

t a dark-hair

self. I barely remember th

er my reflection in the mi

ely looked like this wom

y it has t

he stranger's

icture, I just about for

on

how

eats with a s

br

ossible? I was

er look at her. "She can'

elated to yo

you explain t

en has my freaking eye col

are a

e in doppelgän

?" I scoff. "A

ke the type w

one causes me to glue myse

eally is t

-n

rre

saying sh

s? How is th

common than

..don't b

atter what yo

y happ

dy hap

will be

dn't agre

to this," he m

. "You believe you have t

ink yo

er into the

o my side. "I'm

you define f

ing garages and

e is none of y

ack to me aga

's so calm in issuing his

ish I could become one w

'm not

e for a beat t

mark, before he continues

to sleep in, and hot

's painting is

empting. He's so frighteni

nse of anxiety. I fee

d him. Actually, I'll have

n will definite

o want all t

ng with him-isn't somet

ind a way o

till not con

up to meet h

lettin

you

my eyes.

lice are on stan

ve this car, you'll be a

rd Gr

ow the hell doe

h

he police an

cture, but if you'd rather

ou should thank me, real

s th

e car closing

to octopus tenta

verything from

ever mentioned any detai

each one in a methodical,

oice to begin with. He ca

fe, and I can do nothi

llow the tears

use that threat from the

t I could r

intention to

fused me, Summer. You're

twice. A nameless, forgett

that I'm giving you this

h i

nd and slap h

ursts over my palm a

of anger took

o relieve it somewhere. T

came u

w realize cou

i

s eyes darken

r his stu

t him to stri

embling lips together in

and loops arou

y face is mere inches away

h me is now burie

the lump in

ng me and digging my grav

e ins

first and las

l meet a worse fate than

e with a shov

heart beating so loud, I

a

u going to d

small,

ver I

ter for a dif

t I can't resist the fera

going to

fixes on me, h

lank. "D

wh

not you're go

de

him with anoth

I need to start to be, be

a reason

t he'd

aned up before

descending glance, cement

ink of me

will t

ow

-n

e an obj

ad once. I wa

bly put him in danger with

unities to come see him

tion hits me

e antic

o live as s

ummer Cavana

e reinforced w

ou're Lia Ivanov. Wif