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She took a deep breath and glanced at Carht he’d have to break his promise, but he didn’t, because he did exactly what he said he would Now that I’m ready, he helped me findhe did"

A tear slid down her cheek as she stared into swirling deep green eyes that see to speak, but no sound escaped as he h, because she knehat he was trying to say

Welco beside Celia spoke up then, her voice laced with cynicisirl? How’d she know Vincenzo?"

"This is Carmine’s, uh" Celia trailed off "Well, Mom, this is Haven Antonelli She’s--"

"Antonelli? You asped, shaking their heads andunder their breath from secondhand embarrassment, but Haven just nodded "That’s me"

"I’ll be dauess we can’t really call you that, though, can we? No, Federica’s grandbaby isn’t a slave She’s faht to the wo over the room

"What did you say, Gia?" Corrado asked, blinking with shock

"I said she’s Federica’s grandbaby," Gia replied "What, you didn’t know?"

"No, I knew, but how did you?"

Gia waved hi to kill that Salaot to aped at her "Why didn’t you ever say anything?"

"You never asked," Gia said, shrugging "Besides, you all think I’m crazy, anyway Would you have believed me?"

A minute of tense silence passed before Corrado shook his head "No, I probably wouldn’t have"

40

I fucking love you"

The words still echoed in Carmine’s head an hour later Could it be that easy? He wanted to believe it, wanted to give in, but he was still conflicted He couldn’t be positive he could keep her safe or be the led to function on his own, and the last thing he wanted to do was drag her doith hiot her hurt

Car as he considered that, and noticed Corrado watching hi stare burned through hi behind the obvious judg for only a few seconds, but it felt as if an eternity passed under the scrutiny of his gaze

A phone rang then and Carh of relief when his uncle looked away Corrado pulled out the phone, silencing the ringing before casually slipping it back into his pocket He sat un for a moment, his expression vacant and shoulders relaxed, but Carers at his side that he was stressed

And Corrado on edge was never good for anybody

He draped his ar so past him to where Carmine stood by the door When he saw her worry, every ounce of relief he had felt aon, and based on Celia’s expression, whatever Corrado had planned most likely concerned hi as Salvatore was still out there, soain, his paranoia flared They had fought to keep her out of the line of fire, and she had unknowingly walked right onto the battlefield

He stood there for another ot to be too much He slipped out of the roo it would help hihts fro the streets quickly for any sign of trouble, but soet more than a few steps away Carlanced behind hi without saying anything? Where are you going?"

Carhed as his uncle paused beside him on the sidewalk "Home"

"Home?" Corrado shook his head "As many times as I speak to you about your behavior, you’d think it would sink in by now! You have absolutely no respect for your family You treat them as if they’re disposable to you Do you even care what they’re going through right now? Your father’s dead!"

Car from his mouth as he lost his temper "Yeah, because of you"

Corrado’s eyes darkened He grabbed Carmine before he could utter another word and sla his throat tightly, Corrado pinned hirasped at his large hands, trying to pry therip was too strong