And I’ve got yours, loud and clear. Inside me, the other me, the one that grew claws and fangs, howled in helpless fury. She didn’t understand nuances. She understood only that the person who loved her and cared for her had betrayed her and now she hurt. He was mine. Mine! The other me screamed inside me, tearing at the walls to be let out.

I struggled to keep her in check, imposing logic over emotion. Moving on was one thing. Moving on I could understand. It would break my heart, but I would understand it. This was a giant “fuck you” spelled out in glowing letters.

I forced my mouth open. My voice sounded flat. “Please sit down.”

They sat. Behind them Ascanio stared at us, his jaw hanging down.

“Ascanio, would you mind getting our guests some coffee.”

“Black, please,” Raphael said, his voice pounding a sharp spike into me. “Cream and sugar separate.”

“I don’t drink coffee,” Rebecca informed us. “It stains your teeth.”

“Did you have any trouble with the cops?” I asked, my control so tight that if I let myself go a hair, I would snap.

He looked directly at me. “Just minor formalities. Did you have any trouble at the dig site?”

“None at all. Stefan helped me.”

“He’s a good man, Stefan.”

“Yes, he is. Who is your lovely associate?” I unleashed my best smile in Rebecca’s direction. Raphael leaned forward, sliding his left arm along the back of Rebecca’s chair, his body half turned to shield her. He recognized the smile—it was the kind that meant someone was about to get shot.

“I’m his fiancée,” Rebecca said.

Fiancée? Fiancée.

Raphael’s eyes widened a fraction. He hadn’t wanted me to know, but it was too late. She had let the cat out of the bag.

“How lovely,” I said, sweetness dripping from my voice. “I hadn’t heard the announcement.”

“We’re engaged to be engaged,” Rebecca said. “We’re waiting until the end of the physical year to officially announce.”

“You mean fiscal year?” Dear God, she was a moron.

“Yes, that’s what I meant.”

Raphael slid his hand over Rebecca’s fingers tipped with hot pink acrylic nails.

I closed my eyes for a long second. “Congratulations to the happy couple.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca said.

Raphael toyed with a lock of her hair.

That did it.

“I see you’ve upgraded to the deluxe model,” I said. “Must’ve set you back quite a bit.”

“Worth every penny,” he said.

“You always had expensive tastes.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” He shrugged his muscular shoulders. “I’ve been known to slum on occasion.”

I will kill you. I will hurt you, you wretched bastard. “Be careful with that. Sometimes slumming can be dangerous for you.”

“I can take care of myself,” he said and winked at me.

“What are you talking about?” Rebecca asked.