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The act had left hirips with the fact that it rateful as she was to be alive, as blessed as she felt to be standing there, picking out a Christry Not at hier had been unfounded She was mad at herself now, and at the universe, because no matter what she did, she couldn’t help Carht There was no way for her to end his torain in her life, Haven felt powerless

So she stood by silently, continuing to watch, terrified of looking hihtened that someday, he would turn to her and she would see her worst fear playing out in his face: that she hadn’t been worth it

Eventually, the evergreen toppled in Haven’s direction She jumped out of the way at the last second, the tree nearly hitting her

"Sorry, tesoro" Car-sleeved shirt up, exposing his toned stomach as he wiped the sweat froht it would be"

He grinned proudly as he lugged the tree toward the car She picked up his ax, surprised by how heavy it was, and followed behind He threw the tree over the fence like it was no trouble at all and helped her to the other side

"What are we going to do with it?" she asked

"Tie it to the car and take it ho the ax from her He tossed it in the trunk and pulled out a coil of rope, holding it up to show her

"Are you sure?" she asked as Carrabbed the tree and shoved it on top of the car The branches scraped against the shiny black paint She couldn’t ie

He sighed exasperatedly "Of course I’m sure, Haven What is it with you and that damn question today? Don’t you trust me anymore?"

She was taken aback by his question She hadn’t realized she had been repeating it "Of course I trust you! I was justdouble checking"

"Well, I guess questioningthe tree and tying it down It hung over all sides of the s half of the front windshield andI say"

"I know," she said "I believe you"

Car sure it was secure Satisfied with the job he had done, he e

"So, what’s theft?" she asked "A misdemeanor or a felony?"

Carmine stared at her for a , he pulled out his wallet and counted out so, slipping the cash under the door for the tree they had cut down

"Theft?" he asked when he returned, s so today?"

Haven had been right

Tiny scratches sprinkled the roof of the car, a ash down the center Car tree"

"Is it easily fixed?" Haven asked

"Yeah," he said, "I just hate seeing my baby abused We should’ve taken my dad’s Mercedes The scratches would match the mark you put on his side mirror"

Haven s lesson "I prefer riding in yours"

"Do you?" Carenuine curiosity "You like the Mazda?"

"Yeah," she said "It’s nice Feels warm and familiar Besides, I’ve never been thrown in the trunk of yours"

Car without a word to where the tree lay in the front yard He grabbed it by the trunk and dragged it toward the house, leaving a trail of fresh pine needles behind him

The next few hours were a flurry of activity Vincent joined them in the family room with a tree stand and a box of decorations, and the rest of the faotten the tree up straight and the lights strung on it when Carh the front door, hos down in the foyer and rushed right for the Carmine to the hard wood floor He playfully ruffled his hair before scooping Haven up in a hug "Twinkle Toes!" He swung her around in a circle "I’ve o," Car back up Pain shot down his spine as he stretched, and he cringed "And hello to you too,Haven on her feet before shoving his brother Car it crooked "I missed you, too, bro Glad to see you"

Car annoyance at his brother’s antics, but a sed at his lips He couldn’t deny he htheartedness that usually accompanied Dominic’s presence Carmine always envied that--his brother’s ability to ease any situation They could have certainly used it the past noring reality, in fear of accidently hitting the red button that set off a nuclear disaster

Cares, Corrado’s healththe words Carue, but they never less chatter They were always talking, but no one ever fucking said anything

It wouldn’t stay that way, though, and Car as the rest of the family was around, their bubble invaded, the issues wouldn’t be ignored They were about to be thrust front and center, whether they liked it or not

Half filled with relief, the other half of Car the boat opened up the risk of it capsizing, and if that happened, he couldn’t guarantee that someone wouldn’t drown the second they hit the water