But her relief was short-lived. As she stepped out of the elevator, one of the two apartment doors on this floor opened and Dianna stepped out. She smiled at Talia, but Talia couldn’t return the smile. Dianna took one look at her face and the bag on her shoulder, and her face turned down into a stony frown.

     “What did that bastard do?” Dianna asked, walking toward Talia.

     Talia wasn’t a crier, but Dianna’s question the concern in her voice, and the fact she looked like she wanted to rip Parker's limb from limb made tears roll down Talia’s face and she sniffed.

     Dianna put her arm around Talia and...