He reached for her, cradling her upper arms in his hands. Guapa'

Cut the Spanish endearment shit, Genevieve said, slicing her hands straight up to knock his grasp away. That's enough. I've had enough of your Rico Suave act. And that's all it has beenall alongan act!

The knife of her words cut to his heart. An icy fear ripped through the center of him. He was so stunned that he could hardly speak. I do not understand, he said. Why would you say that to me?

Genevieve let loose with an embittered laugh. Please, she said. I can't hear any more of this. I told you that I couldn't survive another betrayal, that all you had to do was not hurt me and everything would be okay. You said you wouldn't, but that was a lie! You betrayed me and you hurt me anyway.

Lucio raked a hand through his hair in frustration. Genevieve had not heard a thing he said! It was like she'd already written him out of her life!

If I go anywhere, I want you with me.

Mauritius? The independent island off the coast of Africa known for being the home of the dodo bird?

Well, if that is what you wanted, he said, a little confused by her flippant response. It would not be first-class travel the whole time, but you would get to see the world the way I see it. You could watch me workget to know me better by seeing how I've lived my life.

She stared at him, her eyes steely and steady but revealing nothing.

Genevieve, is that what you want?

Not hardly.

He reached for her hands.

Don't touch me.

A wave of nausea flooded through Lucio and he stumbled back from her. What had Piers done?

I couldn't go there even if I wanted to, she said. It wouldn't be safe.

Lucio's attention returned to her face. She looked stricken, afraid. You mean being away from the boys? Leaving them with Larry?

She laughed nervously. That's always a concern, but that's not what I mean.

What do you mean, then? It occurred to Lucio that a chasm had formed between them. Untruths and doubts had created a vast, dark separation between them. They weren't communicating. They could not read each other's hearts. It had happened fast. It was the ultimate injury.

It doesn't matter, Genevieve said. Nothing matters anymore.

Where are you going?

Nowhere.

Genevieve! Lucio blocked her way out of the bedroom, unsure how to proceed but certain he had to get to the bottom of this. How he longed to touch her! Please do not leave.

Genevieve's chin trembled with the effort not to cry. Piers showed me your contract, okay? Let's just be real here. I saw it. I know. There's nothing left to say.

Lucio felt the blood roar through his brain. No,mi amor. There is no contract.

I saw your signature, Lucio!

The bad taste in Lucio's mouth had a familiar tang to it. Suddenly, for the very first time, he knew. He knew everything, the whole picture.

Ilsa may have sent him the rat, but the real rat was Piers. Piers had probably doctored those e-mails from Ilsa. And, of course, Piers knew how to fill out a Geographica expense reporthe'd done it as many times as Lucio had! And he'd certainly seen his signature enough to do a decent job of forging it, on an expense voucher and a contract! Setting up the anonymous bank account? It would be a snap for Piers. Getting the video to the Chinese? A minor errand.

Oh, Mother of God. How could I not have seen this?

Lucio froze where he stood. Whatever was displayed on his face caused Genevieve to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

The stupid cell phone in his pocket buzzed once again. Why on earth had he let the boys talk him into getting one?

Aren't you going to see who that is? Genevieve asked, walking around him to get to the door.

Lucio yanked the phone out of his pocket to turn it off, but the small screen announced that Jason had sent him three messages.

It's Jason, he said, clicking on the button that would bring up his messages. Even before the words appeared on the screen, Lucio was filled with a horrible dread.

I hope he's learning a lot from Piers, Genevieve said, swinging her bag onto her shoulder. He'll probably be spending quite a bit of time with him once you're gone.

The bitterness in her voice barely registered with Lucio, because he was focused on the terrible words now appearing on his cell phone.

The first message from Jason read, Smthin's f'd upovr here. The second read, Saw P's passpt was nChna sm tm u were girl didn't do it cm get me NOW.

And the third message said only one word'HELP.

Lucio looked up. He shoved the phone in his pocket, his breath shallow and fast.

Is something wrong with Jason?

I have to go. Lucio turned, but Genevieve grabbed his arm.

What's going on? she yelled. Is he okay?

I don't know, Lucio said. Wait here. I'll go get him.

He raced down the stairs but Genevieve was right behind him, yelling for him to tell her what had happened to Jason, demanding she go with him.

When they hit the bottom of the stairs, Josh and his blood-soaked father waited for them.

What the hell is going on? Larry asked.

God! Genevieve said, seeing him.

Your boyfriend beat the crap out of me, Larry said.

Josh gripped the stair railing, looking to Lucio and then his mom. There's something wrong with Jason, isn't there?

Lucio flung open the front door, his mind racing with all the worst possible thoughts: Piers was unstable and would hurt Jasoneven kill himto get one last jab at Lucio. He couldn't let that happen. He would not.

?Cono! Lucio hissed, seeing that Larry had blocked his car with the Porsche. We have no time. Give me the keys to your car. He shoved his hand toward Larry. Now, gilipollas!

Lucio could barely think over the dog's incessant barking.

Larry fumbled in his pocket and pulled out the keys. You are not touching my car, he said, his announcement muffled by the towel. I will drive.

Josh ripped the keys from his dad's hands and tossed them to Lucio. You can't even see, Dad! Your eyes are swelling shut!

Lucio was already running across the lawn to the car. By the time he got the door open and got behind the wheel, it was clear that whatever kind of mission he was on would not be a solo oneLarry and Josh had already crammed themselves into the back half-seat of the Porsche and Genevieve was sliding in beside him in the front.

He groaned in frustration and gunned the car into reverse, squealing as he made his way through the neighborhood. It was barely sixty degrees Fahrenheit, but Larry had the top down on the pussy-puller! There was no time to fiddle with nicetiesit would have to stay down.

How could he have missed this? Lucio slammed his palms against the steering wheel. He'd sensed it! But he'd ignored it! ?Estupido! And now the crazy son-of-a-thousand-bitches had Jason!