Carol nodded.
In under fifteen minutes, the house changed. The living room became a command station. Men moved quickly, checking weapons, loading magazines, speaking in low voices. Marco stood among them with a hard face and tired eyes, his fear for Veronica buried beneath discipline.
Massimo gave short instructions. When they were ready to leave, Carol stepped forward. This time, she reached for Marco.
She wrapped him in a hug.
"I'll be fine, Ma," Marco murmured, trying to reassure her.
"I know," Carol said, holding him tighter. "Just wanted to hug you."
Marco chuckled softly, kissed her hair, and walked out with Massimo.
*******
Luca stood in the middle of David's bedroom, and for the first time since Veronica had vanished, the rage in him went quiet in the way the world went quiet before a bomb tore through it.
The apartment itself was nothing remarkable. Too lifeless to belong to a man who intended to stay anywhere long.
