1 The Anniversary Cake
The rain fell in merciless, icy sheets, turning the Boston streets into black mirrors that reflected nothing but the city’s indifference. Gutters choked on filthy water. The wind was a physical assault, flinging grit and cold against any exposed skin. Her sedan, a beat-up relic parked a block away, was a rusted stain among the sleek, dark cars purring at the curb outside The Onyx Club-a place so exclusive its entrance was a single, unmarked black door that swallowed light.
Aurora Stone stumbled from the car, a heel wobbling on one of her worn-out shoes. Her cheap jacket, a size too small, was soaked in seconds. The damp fabric clung to her, a second skin of cold that made every movement an effort. The scar that sliced from her temple to her jaw pulled tight, a permanent reminder of her place. She clutched a square cake box to her chest, her body a flimsy shield against the downpour. Already, the cardboard corners were softening. Inside was a Black Forest cake, Damian’s favorite. It had taken her an hour, navigating her rattling car through three boroughs, to find the one from the specific bakery he’d mentioned offhand a year ago.
