Sasha sat curled up on the couch, her arms hugging her knees to her chest. The ticking clock on the wall was the only sound keeping her company. Nonna was out and Xavier had left hours ago without giving her any clue about where he was going or when he'd be back.
Just a firm, unreadable look and the words:
"Stay here. No matter what."
That was all she got before he stormed out with Cody.
And she had stayed. Obedient. Nervous. Aching inside.
She hadn't even been able to eat. Her stomach had been in knots all day. She paced the kitchen. Sat. Stood. Laid down. She tried watching TV, flipping from channel to channel, but nothing held her attention. Her thoughts kept circling back to him.
What was so important? Why couldn't he just tell her?
The sky outside was turning orange. Evening ha
