"I have to go." Voss said. "We have already stayed too long. You know what to do if you feel unsafe."
Valentina nodded. Her throat had gone too tight for speech.
"If anything changes, you call me."
She nodded again.
"I will have you removed instantly. Okay?"
The word removed made her stomach twist. Removed from what?
Her marriage?
Her life?
Would she take Matteo and run while Marco woke to find his wife and son gone?
"Okay?" Voss pressed.
Valentina nodded once more. Voss gave her one final look, then turned away. Valentina stayed where she was, staring down at the toys in front of her. She had planned to buy something for Matteo.
Now she was not sure she wanted anything. Her heartbeat intensified. She could feel it in her throat, in her wrists. She needed to get out.
Valentina walked to the exit. She reached her car, settled Matteo into his seat, checked his straps twice, then got into the driver's side. For a moment, she simply sat behind the wheel and inhaled deeply.
