for a moment julia could not anything wxcept his own heartbeat

of Esteban’s men.”

“Why?”

“Because they were waiting to see if I told you the truth before midnight.”

Julián laughed once, harsh and broken. “Before midnight? What is this? A fairy tale?”

“No,” Amalia said. “A contract.”

She took the envelope from the table and pushed it into his hands. “Open it.”

He did not continue reading …