"Oh, Vee," Val whispered, wrapping both arms around her sister and dragging her close. "I've got you. I've got you."
Vee collapsed into her, shaking so hard Val had to hold her tighter just to keep her upright. Her hands went to Vee's hair, her back, her shoulders—anywhere she could touch, anywhere she could remind her sister that she was not alone.
Luca's arms fell empty. He looked down at them. Then his eyes lifted to Marco. The tears were there. Clear and bright but refusing to fall.
Marco saw what came next. He could see it playing right there in Luca's eyes before Luca even moved.
He was going for Renato. Marco's stomach sank. Luca began to walk out.
Marco closed his eyes briefly. "Oh fuck."
Then he hurried after him. Luca needed stopping. And apparently, the universe had decided Marco was the unlucky bastard assigned to stand in his way.
