This woman was so much more than I'd expected, so much more than I could resist.

I’m not an emotional man, and I hate public displays of affection.

I’ll try to be the best husband I can possibly be, which probably is still much less than you deserve.

The idealistic world-improver was his mask,I'd realized.

God, no wonder Father didn't want us to be around men. Now that I knew how good kissing felt, I never wanted to stop doing it.

Maybe Father thought I was bad girl enough and didn't need a slutty outfit to emphasize that further.

I swallowed. Be strong, Valentina. The wish of a dead man is sacred. Don’t break your promise.

I remember the way Romero had looked at me at our Christmas party. as if he saw me for the first time, really saw me as a woman and not just a stupid child.

That is the fifth time you shied back from me tonight.” He set down the glass and took the knife in his hand. Then he advanced on me. “Did your father never teach you to hide your fear from monsters? They give chase if you run.

Then so be it. I’ll go where you go no matter how dark the path.