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Just like I lose the strength to fight Benny, I lose the power to hold in my tears. All my control splinters, crashing at our feet, and a screeching sob leaves me. My body relaxes into his, nearly collapsing into his arms, as I give him my pain.
He breathes it in.
Inhaling it.
He presses his lips to my hair.
Caresses my back.
Makes me feel like I have someone—that he gives a damn.
We stand there for what seems like hours.
How did this happen?
Who killed my brother?
Benny’s shirt is soaked with my tears and snot when I finally pull away. I stare at the ground, my heart shattering, and he keeps his arm around my shoulders while guiding me back to bed.
He makes sure I’m settled before walking to the bathroom and returning with tissue. Instead of handing them over, he wipes my face, even collecting the snot.
“I need to call my parents.” My throat is hoarse.
Just thinking of the pain they’re going through causes another round of tears. My stomach churns.
What did Tommaso do?
How can he be gone?
We always said his behavior would lead him to an early grave, but I didn’t believe it’d happen so young.
“Your father is breaking the news to them,” he says, smoothing his thumb over my cheek. “It’s late. I told him we’d go there in the morning.”
My eyes are heavy, and I struggle to keep them open as I nod.
When he pulls away, I dig my nails into his shirt. “Please don’t leave me.”
“I’m right here, baby,” he says, pressing a kiss on my lips. “I’ll be right here all night.”
He wraps me in his arms.
Tonight, my husband will hold me while I break down.
Tomorrow, I will ask him to kill for me.
* * *
My brother is dead.
I’ll never hear Tommaso crack a stupid joke or attempt to boss me around again. My parents lost their only son. The heir to the Cavallaro family throne is gone.
Will our family cease to exist when my father is gone?
Or will he appoint someone else to take over?
For generations, they passed down control of the family from father to son. That legacy can no longer persevere.
One small change, and everything collapses.
