Tears filled her eyes. It was truly her sister. Her only relative, her best friend. She couldn't help but add, How I've missed you! Are you all right?

Long story. I need to see you.

Marisa sat back and blinked. See her? Impossible! she typed.

I'll come to you. Pick a safe place. Wherever you want.

No way Marisa could risk that. Another message came in.

It's a matter of life and death.

She swallowed hard. Marisa had put her sister at risk when she'd told Nate the story and escaped New York, but nobody, including Marisa, believed Leslie knew anything about the money or the business. Nobody had ever suspected Leslie. After eight years, what could possibly have happened? Was it serious enough to risk Marisa's life?

Nate is still there? Marisa asked.

Yes.

What if it wasn't Nate, though?

She stood and paced. What would only Nate know? What would nobody have cared to ask him, in all the years?

She sat back down and typed.

What's my favorite sandwich shop?

Nate probably wouldn't have forgotten. He'd brought her dinner nearly every night for weeks.

A message dinged in.

You call that a sandwich? It was a salad shoved in pita bread. It's not technically a sandwich if it has no meat.

She smiled. He'd said that every time she ordered it.

The message dinged again. And no, feta cheese doesn't count.

She replied, I wanted to be as thin and beautiful as Aphrodite.

You were always that and more.

She paused at the compliment. Yes, she remembered that, too. He was one of the kindest men she'd ever met. She let the words drench her the way she used to drench that sandwich in dressing.

But you haven't told me the name of the restaurant, she typed.

Change the subject—an old trick. You're blushing, aren't you?

She touched her warm cheeks. Nate hadn't known her for long, but he'd known her very well.

Before she could respond, he said, And it's Aristotle's. We always laughed because we had assumed it was named after Mr. Onasis until I met the owner. Good old Ari. I still eat there, and he's still fat as Jabba the Hutt and just as handsome.

So it truly was Leslie and Nate, the only two people in America she would consider trusting. Still, to meet them?

What do you mean, a matter of life and death?

A pause, and then, It's Leslie again. I'll tell you when I see you.

Marisa had to think it through. Could she risk exposing herself?

Marisa, they're going to kill me.