Victoria steps closer, hands hovering, uncertain. Her fingers land on my wrist, gentle. “Lorenzo.”
I stare straight ahead.
Her voice softens. “Talk to me.”
My mouth opens.
But still, I have no words to say. Nothing comes out. Nothing makes sense.
Her arms wrap around me. Warm. Real.Alive.
She’s alive.
And Rafe is dead.
My hands finally lift, slow, shaking, closing around her like I’m terrified she’ll vanish too.
Her voice vibrates against me. “Is he really . . .?”
The water keeps pouring down on us.
“Yes,” I manage, voice rough.
Victoria’s arms tighten, as a sound leaves her—small and broken.
Then she pulls back just enough to look up at me, eyes glassy but steady. “Go to Matteo,” she whispers. “He’ll help you.”
I shake my head once.
Victoria frowns. “Why?”
I swallow hard, forcing words out. “I can’t risk it,” I rasp, voice raw. “Not with the hit . . .”
Victoria’s brows knit. “But—”
“I can’t let anyone know where you are.” I cut in, harsher than I want, but I can’t risk her life. “Not until every assassin tied to that network is dead.”
Victoria’s hand slides up to my jaw, thumb brushing lightly like she’s anchoring me. “You can’t do this alone.”
“I have no choice. To protect you, I will. No matter how long it takes.”
She nods as tears fill her eyes. Then she takes a deep breath, shoulders straightening.
“Okay.”
My chest aches. “Yeah?”
Victoria nods slowly, her chin lifting. “I believe in you.”
“It won’t be too long.”
Her mouth curves faintly, sad but steady. “I trust you.”
The words land like a vow.
Like a lifeline.
And for the first time since I watched Rafe die, I feel something other than rage.
