Rosa looked at him, her chest tightening as she took in his frozen, icy expression. "What? You want to talk about kids now?"

He didn't know whether to be angry at himself for losing control so completely, or at her for taking away his choice.

His jaw worked in a tight, furious rhythm. He stared at her for five agonizing seconds before he finally forced his hands into his pockets, his voice dropping into a flat, dangerous monotone.

"I have somewhere to be," he said, turning on his heel. "Uriel will take you to class today."

Without waiting for her reply, Giovanni walked out. He showered, dressed in a sharp,...