Chapter 79: Chapter 79

But then he saw it: the new flashy iPhone lying on the bed. Luca never went anywhere without his phone. He even took the damn thing to the bathroom. Gus loved teasing him about it, saying he ought to buy a waterproof phone so he could use it in the shower.

“Luca?”

Something felt wrong. Gus rushed into the bathroom, but it was empty. All Luca’s beauty products were strewn over the vanity: hair products, face creams, aftershave, and, of course, the lip gloss. Gus picked it up, unscrewed the lid, pulled out the applicator wand, and inhaled the scent of the deep red gloss.

“Where are you?” he mumbled.

He put the lid back on and slid the tube of gloss into his pocket. He squeezed his eyes shut, knocked lightly on his forehead with his fist, and then massaged his temples with his thumb and middle finger.