I took off my ruined dress and slipped into a robe, then washed my hair in the sink of the guest bathroom. By the time I was finished, Jesse had drawn a bath in the Jacuzzi tub of his own bathroom. There was a fragrance of lavender bath salts in the steamy air.

“Take your time.” He closed the door before I could thank him. I slid out of my robe and into the warm water. It felt wonderful, until I sank further into the tub and felt my neck burning. Of course, the scratches. Amateur, I thought of Tati, sitting up straight and wondering if she’d ever hit anyone before. I could picture my sister pounding her into pieces. She’d done it to me, after all, back in September, when I’d come home to New York for my first visit since moving to Spain. I’d gone to Claudia’s apartment after she’d stood me up. She’d opened the door, looking respectable enough in a light summer dress, as if she’d toyed with the idea of going out. But she was also wearing a wool cardigan on a steamy summer evening in an apartment that didn’t have air-conditioning. Her fingernails were painted dark red, but half the polish had chipped away. I grabbed one of her bony wrists and pulled up the sleeve a few inches. Her skin was a map of red marks and sores. I’d let go and stepped back, staring at her eyes now, noticing that the black pinpricks were almost lost in her green irises, like insects being devoured by a carnivorous plant.

How could you? I’d yelled at her. I believed you. I trusted you. You swore you’d gotten yourself together.

It was trying to get myself together that got me where I am now, she’d snarled at me.

We fought, standing in the doorway, seething at each other, shouting and not caring what the neighbors heard. But what got to her was my parting shot. I knew you’d never be able to stay away from your drugs for long.

Claudia stared at me with such a look of hatred that I dropped my gaze and turned away. Her sharp-taloned hands grabbed my neck and hit my head against the doorframe. I started to fall and the only thing that held me up were Claudia’s hands around my throat. She was surprisingly strong, and all I could do was stare at her while I fought for a gasp of air.

You think I just gave in to temptation, don’t you, Lily?

Her eyes bore into mine, those tiny black dots as searingly hot as lasers. I gurgled in response.