"I was, yes," Carol said. "But I didn't stand against anything this vicious. Not like this. I asked Val to come. I'm sure you will find a way to get her safely to the house when she arrives."
Marco nodded. He did miss his wife. God knew he did. He missed Valentina with a physical ache. He missed the sound of her voice. He missed his son.
Carol was right. Val had been on the edge of breaking even before they got married. She had been afraid for him, afraid for her sister, afraid of what the famiglia offered and what it demanded in return. She had carried too much fear for too long.
He looked around once more. The room was a fucking disaster. He probably should get this done before his family arrived. Marco braced one hand against the bed and pulled himself up from the floor. His stomach made another angry sound.
Carol watched him with narrowed eyes. "And take a break," she added. "Get some air and food. Don't make me come back in here."
