- 4 months ago
She Crashed Into the Wrong Car in a Snowstorm - The Mafia Boss Said 'Now You Owe Me Everything
Category
đš
FunTranscript
00:00i should have stayed home that night god if i had listened to the storm warnings maybe none of this would have happened but rent was late my little sister needed her insulin and my car my piece of junk car was the only thing standing between us and total collapse
00:16snow hammered against the windshield so hard the wipers cried out like they were begging for mercy my knuckles were white on the steering wheel breath fogging the glass as the heater gave up halfway down the interstate it felt like even the car was tired of me tired of trying tired of breaking tired of being held together with duct tape and prayers
00:37just hold on girl i whispered to the dashboard like it could hear me we just need to make it another 20 minutes please
00:46the roads were empty too empty like the whole city had gone to sleep except me the idiot who thought she could outrun her own desperation that's when the headlights cut through the storm not mine not some good samaritan's
01:01no these were different black suv dark gleaming even in the storm its engine purring like a predator waiting i barely saw it before my tires lost their grip
01:14the spin was violent brutal like the world decided to shake me loose my scream died in my throat as the car slid sideways metal shrieking against ice and then impact i slammed into the suv hard my head cracked against the window i tasted blood
01:32the world tilted sideways snowflakes sneaking in through a cracked door silence followed the kind of silence that feels
01:41watched the suv door opened slow a man stepped out unbothered by the storm like even the snow didn't dare cling to him
01:51tall broad shoulders under a black coat that probably cost more than i'd made in the last six months
01:57his hair was dark slicked back his jaw sharp enough to cut through me with just one look
02:03and his eyes jesus cold piercing calculating the kind of eyes that didn't just look at you
02:10they stripped you down decided if you were worth saving or not
02:15he walked toward me each step measured deliberate his boots crunching in the snow
02:21i tried to move but my hands were trembling too badly to open the door
02:25when his gloved fist wrapped against the glass i flinched
02:29get out
02:31his voice was deep commanding not loud but strong enough that i obeyed before i even thought about it
02:37the cold punched me in the chest as i stumbled out of the wreck
02:41legs shaky blood dripping from my lip
02:44i i didn't mean to i stammered
02:47the ice i just please i'll figure out how to pay
02:51his gaze locked on mine
02:53sharp
02:54deadly still
02:56you could have killed yourself
02:59i swallowed
03:00my teeth chattered
03:01i didn't
03:02he stepped closer
03:04towering over me
03:05the storm swirling around his frame like even nature bent to him
03:09his gloved hand lifted
03:10brushed against my jaw
03:12not gently not cruelly either
03:14just
03:15inspecting
03:17his thumb caught the blood on my lip
03:19you're shaking
03:21it's cold
03:22i whispered
03:24my throat ached
03:25his lips twitched
03:27just barely
03:28not a smile
03:29something else
03:30something dangerous
03:32or maybe you're scared
03:34my chest tightened
03:36should i be
03:38his eyes flicked past me to my car
03:41crumpled like a crushed can against his suv
03:44then back to me
03:45you hit the wrong car tonight
03:47the words dropped heavy
03:50certain
03:51and in that instant
03:52even through the storm
03:54i knew
03:55this wasn't just some stranger
03:56this wasn't just some unlucky accident
03:59this man wasn't safe
04:01but god help me
04:02there was something magnetic in the way he looked at me
04:05like the storm didn't matter
04:07the wreck didn't matter
04:08only i did
04:09i tried to steady my breathing
04:11but it came out in shaky bursts
04:13look
04:14i can pay you back
04:15not right away
04:17but
04:17he tilted his head
04:18studying me
04:20that sharp jaw
04:21catching in the glow
04:22of the suv's headlights
04:23you owe me everything now
04:25my stomach dropped
04:27what
04:29what does that mean
04:30he leaned closer
04:32so close i could feel his breath
04:33warm against my cheek
04:34despite the freezing night
04:36his voice dropped
04:37deep enough to shake something inside me
04:40i hadn't felt in years
04:41it means
04:43he whispered
04:44from this moment forward
04:46you belong to me
04:48and right there
04:49with the snowstorm roaring
04:51my blood dripping
04:52my heart hammering
04:54i knew my life had just crashed harder than my car
04:57i didn't sleep that night
05:00how could i
05:01after he said those words
05:03you belong to me
05:05i stumbled back into my wrecked car
05:08shaking too hard to even turn the key
05:10he didn't ask if i was okay
05:13didn't offer me a ride
05:14he just stood there
05:16leaning against his black suv
05:18like some shadow
05:19carved out of the storm
05:20watching me
05:22waiting
05:23and the thing that terrified me most
05:26wasn't his presence
05:27it was how i couldn't stop
05:29staring back
05:31i keep telling myself
05:33i should have been thinking about bills
05:35about my sister's insulin
05:36about the shift
05:37i was going to miss at the diner
05:39because my car was broken in half
05:41but instead
05:42all i could think about
05:44were his eyes
05:44how they burned
05:46right through my excuses
05:47through the cheap jacket i wore
05:49through the layers of exhaustion
05:50i'd been hiding under for years
05:52that night
05:54lying awake
05:55in my freezing apartment
05:56with the pipes rattling
05:57and the neighbor's music
05:58bleeding through the walls
05:59i told myself i hated him
06:01but the truth
06:02i couldn't get him out of my head
06:04let me tell you something
06:05since you're listening
06:06like no one else does
06:08i've always been tired
06:09not the kind of tired
06:10that a nap fixes
06:11no
06:12the kind of tired
06:13that lives in your bones
06:14my dad was the first man
06:17who taught me
06:17how much people can fail you
06:18he left when i was 12
06:20left behind a stack
06:22of overdue bills
06:23and a mother
06:23who drowned herself
06:24in cheap vodka
06:25and bad men
06:26i picked up the slack
06:28i always had to
06:29by 16 i was working nights
06:31at a diner
06:32while still trying to keep
06:33my little sister
06:33fed clean safe
06:35by 20 i was already burnt out
06:37watching everyone else
06:39my age chase dreams
06:40while i chased late notices
06:41and pharmacy receipts
06:42dating
06:43forget it
06:45love
06:45that was for people
06:47who could afford to be soft
06:48every man i let close enough
06:50to touch me
06:50always wanted something
06:51more than i could give
06:52more time
06:53more patience
06:55more of a heart
06:56i didn't even have to spare
06:57so i stopped
06:58letting anyone close
06:59i told myself
07:01i didn't need them
07:02didn't need anyone
07:03but then
07:04that storm
07:06that crash
07:07him
07:08the next morning
07:09i found a card
07:11slipped under my door
07:11no knock
07:13no voice in the hall
07:14just a black card
07:15embossed with nothing
07:16but a number
07:17and a single word
07:18vincenzo
07:19i stared at it
07:21so long
07:21my coffee went cold
07:22vincenzo
07:23the name felt heavy
07:25in my mouth
07:26like it belonged
07:27to someone
07:27you didn't summon lightly
07:28and i should have
07:29thrown it away
07:30i should have burned it
07:31flushed it
07:32anything
07:33but i didn't
07:34because deep down
07:35i knew
07:36people like him
07:37don't give you their name
07:38unless they've already
07:39decided you're theirs
07:40that night
07:42i confessed something
07:43to myself
07:44i hadn't said in years
07:45he feels different
07:47not safe
07:48not soft
07:49not like anything
07:50i thought i wanted
07:51different
07:52terrifying
07:53magnetic
07:54i remember sitting
07:56on the edge of my bed
07:57head in my hands
07:59whispering to the dark
08:00like maybe it would
08:01listen better than
08:01anyone else ever had
08:03i can't do this again
08:05i can't let someone
08:06break me
08:07i can't afford it
08:08but my chest ached
08:10anyway
08:10because part of me
08:12already knew
08:12i was lying to myself
08:15two days later
08:17i saw him again
08:18i was coming home
08:19from the pharmacy
08:20the cold biting
08:21through my worn-out sneakers
08:23the brown paper bag
08:24with my sister's insulin
08:25pressed to my chest
08:26like a lifeline
08:27and there he was
08:29leaning against
08:30a sleek black car
08:31at the curb
08:32dark coat
08:33gloves
08:34that same
08:35impossible stillness
08:36like the world
08:37moved around him
08:38but he stayed untouched
08:39my throat went dry
08:41you
08:42i started
08:43my voice cracked
08:45what are you doing here
08:47his gaze flicked
08:49to the bag in my arms
08:50then back to me
08:51you didn't call
08:53i swallowed hard
08:54i didn't think i had to
08:56you owe me
08:58he said simply
08:59like it was fact
09:00my stomach tightened
09:02i told you
09:04i can't just
09:05his eyes narrowed
09:07sharp enough
09:07to pin me in place
09:08don't argue
09:09get in
09:10it wasn't a request
09:12and god help me
09:13i should have run
09:14i should have told him
09:16to stay out of my life
09:17but when he opened
09:19that car door
09:20warm air spilling out
09:21into the cold
09:22i hesitated
09:24because i was so damn
09:26tired of being the one
09:27who carried everything
09:27alone
09:28inside his car
09:30everything smelled
09:31like leather
09:32and something darker
09:33expensive cologne
09:34maybe
09:34the silence was thick
09:37charged
09:37the kind that made you
09:39hyper aware of every
09:40heartbeat
09:40i clutched the insulin
09:43tighter
09:43why me
09:45i finally whispered
09:46he glanced at me
09:48jaw tight
09:49eyes unreadable
09:50you crashed into me
09:52that's it
09:53for a moment
09:55something flickered
09:56in his gaze
09:56something almost
09:58softer
09:59but then it was gone
10:01replaced by steel
10:02no
10:04he said
10:05not it
10:05my pulse raced
10:07then what
10:08he didn't answer
10:09not directly
10:10instead he leaned
10:11closer
10:12voice dropping low
10:13you feel it too
10:15and the terrifying
10:17thing
10:18i did
10:19that night
10:21after he drove me
10:22home
10:22i sat in the dark
10:24of my apartment
10:24clutching that card
10:26whispering the truth
10:27i'd been too afraid
10:28to admit
10:29until now
10:29he's not like
10:31anyone else
10:32i've ever met
10:32and that's exactly
10:34what terrifies me
10:35because when you've
10:37been broken as many
10:37times as i have
10:38you stop believing
10:39in fate
10:40you stop believing
10:41in magic
10:41and yet
10:42i couldn't shake
10:44the feeling that
10:45maybe
10:45just maybe
10:46crashing into his
10:47car had been the
10:48beginning of something
10:49i couldn't walk away
10:50from
10:50you ever feel like
10:52life grabs you
10:53by the wrist
10:53and drags you
10:54somewhere you swore
10:55you'd never go
10:55that's what it felt
10:57like
10:57the night he pulled
10:58me deeper into
10:59his world
11:00i didn't plan on
11:02stepping into his
11:02car again
11:03i told myself
11:05i was stronger
11:06than that
11:06that i could
11:07ignore his
11:07card
11:08ignore those
11:09eyes
11:09but vincenzo
11:11wasn't the kind
11:11of man you
11:12ignored
11:12not once he'd
11:14decided you
11:14owed him
11:15it was a friday
11:16night when he
11:16called
11:17not texted
11:18not asked
11:19called
11:20the sound of
11:22his voice on
11:22the other end
11:23of the line
11:23froze me in
11:24place
11:24the grocery
11:25bag slipping
11:26from my fingers
11:26apples rolling
11:28across the
11:28kitchen floor
11:29get dressed
11:30he said
11:31calm
11:33clipped
11:34i'm sending
11:35a car
11:35i laughed
11:37bitterly
11:37i don't
11:38who the hell
11:39do you think
11:40you are
11:40just
11:41you owe
11:42me
11:42he interrupted
11:43his voice
11:44low and
11:45final
11:45don't make
11:46me come
11:46get you
11:46myself
11:47the line
11:48went dead
11:49and god
11:50helped me
11:50thirty minutes
11:51later
11:52i was in
11:53his car
11:53again
11:53his penthouse
11:55was everything
11:55my world
11:56wasn't
11:56glass
11:57and steel
11:58and city
11:58light
11:59stretching
11:59for miles
12:00the hum
12:01of money
12:01in every
12:02polished
12:02surface
12:03when i
12:04stepped
12:04inside
12:05i felt
12:05like an
12:06intruder
12:06my thrift
12:07store
12:07coat
12:08dripping
12:08melted
12:08snow
12:09onto
12:09his
12:09marble
12:09floor
12:10you live
12:12here
12:12i whispered
12:13before i could
12:13stop myself
12:14vincenzo's lips
12:16curved
12:16not quite a
12:17smile
12:17where else
12:19i hugged
12:20myself
12:21suddenly aware
12:22of how small
12:22i looked
12:23in his
12:23world
12:23i don't
12:24belong
12:25here
12:25he tilted
12:26his head
12:27studying
12:27me
12:27you belong
12:29where i say
12:29you belong
12:30the audacity
12:32of him
12:32the arrogance
12:33my temper
12:34flared
12:35even through
12:35the knot
12:36of fear
12:36in my
12:36stomach
12:37you don't
12:38get to
12:38decide
12:39that
12:39his eyes
12:41darkened
12:41but instead
12:42of snapping
12:42back
12:43he stepped
12:44closer
12:44close enough
12:45that i could
12:46feel the heat
12:46radiating from
12:47his body
12:48smell that
12:49clean sharp
12:50cologne that
12:50clung to his
12:51clothes
12:51you're stubborn
12:53he murmured
12:54good
12:55it means
12:56you'll survive
12:57i swallowed
12:59hard
13:00survive
13:01what
13:02he didn't
13:02answer
13:03instead he
13:04brushed past
13:05me
13:05his hand
13:06grazing my
13:06arm
13:07barely a
13:08touch
13:08but it
13:09sent
13:09electricity
13:10racing
13:10down
13:10my
13:10skin
13:11dinner
13:12was already
13:12waiting
13:13on the
13:13table
13:13not the
13:14kind
13:14i was
13:15used
13:15to
13:15greasy
13:16diner
13:16plates
13:17or cheap
13:17takeout
13:17but silver
13:18trays
13:19wine glasses
13:20that sparkled
13:21under the
13:21lights
13:21i sat
13:23stiff
13:23clutching
13:24my fork
13:24like a
13:25weapon
13:25while
13:25Vincenzo
13:26ate
13:26with calm
13:27precision
13:27as if
13:28this was
13:28the most
13:29normal
13:29night
13:29in the
13:30world
13:30finally
13:32i couldn't
13:33take it
13:33anymore
13:33why am
13:35i here
13:36he set
13:37his glass
13:37down
13:38his gaze
13:38never leaving
13:39mine
13:39because i
13:41don't like
13:41loose ends
13:42i frowned
13:43i'm not a
13:45loose end
13:46i'm a
13:47person
13:47that made
13:49him pause
13:49he leaned
13:51back
13:51eyes
13:52narrowing
13:52like he
13:52was
13:53reassessing
13:53me
13:53most
13:55people
13:55beg
13:55most
13:56people
13:56tell
13:57me
13:57they'll
13:57pay
13:57whatever
13:57it
13:58takes
13:58to
13:58walk
13:58away
13:59you
14:00don't
14:00my
14:01voice
14:02cracked
14:02but i
14:03held his
14:03stare
14:03maybe i
14:05don't have
14:06anything left
14:06to beg
14:06with
14:07something
14:08flickered in
14:09his expression
14:09then
14:10something
14:11almost
14:11human
14:12almost
14:13soft
14:13but just
14:15as quickly
14:15it was
14:16gone
14:16you're
14:18wrong
14:18he said
14:19quietly
14:20you have
14:21more than
14:21you think
14:22later
14:23later
14:23after
14:23the
14:24plates
14:24were
14:24cleared
14:24i
14:25found
14:25myself
14:25standing
14:26by
14:26the
14:26floor
14:26to
14:26ceiling
14:27windows
14:27the
14:28city
14:28glittering
14:28below
14:28us
14:29like
14:29it
14:29belonged
14:29to
14:30someone
14:30else
14:30you look
14:32like
14:32you're
14:32waiting
14:32to
14:33jump
14:33his
14:34voice
14:34came
14:34from
14:34behind
14:35me
14:35low
14:35and
14:36steady
14:36i
14:37flinched
14:38hugging
14:38my
14:38arms
14:38tighter
14:39maybe
14:40i
14:40am
14:41the
14:42silence
14:42stretched
14:42my
14:43heart
14:43thudded
14:44so
14:44loudly
14:44i
14:44swore
14:45he
14:45could
14:45hear
14:45it
14:45then
14:46i
14:46felt
14:46it
14:47his
14:47hand
14:48resting
14:48against
14:49the
14:49small
14:49of
14:49my
14:49back
14:50not
14:50pushing
14:51not
14:51pulling
14:52just
14:53there
14:54anchoring
14:55me
14:56you don't
14:57get to
14:57fall
14:58he whispered
14:58near my
14:59ear
14:59not while
15:00i'm
15:00here
15:00i
15:02closed
15:02my
15:02eyes
15:02breathing
15:03in
15:03the
15:03warmth
15:04of
15:04him
15:04the
15:05storm
15:05raging
15:05in
15:05me
15:06louder
15:06than
15:06the
15:06one
15:06outside
15:07why
15:09i
15:10whispered
15:10my
15:11voice
15:11was
15:11trembling
15:12why
15:13do
15:13you
15:13care
15:14his
15:15breath
15:15ghosted
15:16my
15:16skin
15:16because
15:17you
15:18crashed
15:18into
15:18me
15:19and
15:19i
15:19don't
15:20believe
15:20in
15:20accidents
15:21that
15:22was
15:22the
15:22first
15:23night
15:23i
15:23stayed
15:23in
15:23his
15:24world
15:24not
15:25because
15:25he
15:25forced
15:25me
15:26he
15:26never
15:26locked
15:27the
15:27door
15:27never
15:27chained
15:28me
15:28to
15:28him
15:28but
15:29because
15:29i
15:30couldn't
15:30walk
15:30away
15:30he
15:32let
15:32me
15:32sleep
15:32in
15:32the
15:32guest
15:33room
15:33though
15:33i
15:33lay
15:34awake
15:34staring
15:35at
15:35the
15:35ceiling
15:35every
15:36nerve
15:36buzzing
15:37with
15:37his
15:37nearness
15:37i
15:39heard
15:39him
15:39moving
15:39in
15:40the
15:40next
15:40room
15:40slow
15:41deliberate
15:42restless
15:42in a
15:43way
15:43i
15:43didn't
15:43understand
15:44i
15:45told
15:45myself
15:46it
15:46was
15:46madness
15:46that
15:47i
15:47was
15:48letting
15:48myself
15:48get
15:48pulled
15:49into
15:49something
15:49dangerous
15:50something
15:51i
15:51couldn't
15:51control
15:52but
15:53then
15:53around
15:543
15:54a.m.
15:54i
15:55woke
15:55to
15:55the
15:55sound
15:56of
15:56my
15:56phone
15:56buzzing
15:57it
15:57was
15:58my
15:58sister
15:58her
15:59blood
15:59sugar
16:00had
16:00crashed
16:00panic
16:01ripped
16:02through
16:02me
16:02i
16:03stumbled
16:03out
16:03of
16:04bed
16:04fumbling
16:04with
16:05my
16:05coat
16:05whispering
16:06curses
16:06under
16:07my
16:07breath
16:07vincenzo
16:08appeared
16:08in the
16:09doorway
16:09broad
16:10shoulders
16:10filling
16:11the
16:11frame
16:11eyes
16:12sharp
16:12even
16:12in
16:13the
16:13dark
16:13what
16:14happened
16:15my
16:16sister
16:16she
16:17she
16:17needs
16:18me
16:18i
16:18have
16:18to
16:18go
16:18he
16:20didn't
16:20hesitate
16:20he
16:21grabbed
16:21his
16:21keys
16:22his
16:22coat
16:23and
16:23within
16:23seconds
16:24we
16:24were
16:24in
16:24his
16:24car
16:25slicing
16:26through
16:26the
16:26night
16:26streets
16:26faster
16:27than
16:27i'd
16:27ever
16:28dared
16:28drive
16:28when
16:29we
16:29reached
16:30my
16:30building
16:30i
16:30ran
16:31upstairs
16:31lungs
16:32burning
16:32finding
16:33my
16:33sister
16:33pale
16:34and
16:34shaking
16:34on
16:34the
16:34couch
16:35i
16:36dropped
16:36to
16:36my
16:36knees
16:37fumbling
16:37with
16:37her
16:37insulin
16:38my
16:38hands
16:39were
16:39trembling
16:39too
16:39hard
16:40to
16:40draw
16:40the
16:40dosage
16:41damn
16:41it
16:41damn
16:42it
16:42please
16:42stay
16:42with
16:43me
16:43then
16:44his
16:44hand
16:44closed
16:44over
16:45mine
16:45steady
16:46calm
16:48he
16:49took
16:49the
16:49syringe
16:49precise
16:50efficient
16:51as
16:52if
16:52he'd
16:52done
16:53it
16:53before
16:53i
16:54stared
16:54at
16:55him
16:55shock
16:56flooding
16:56through
16:56me
16:56as
16:57he
16:57administered
16:57the
16:57shot
16:58like
16:58a
16:58practiced
16:58medic
16:59my
17:00sister's
17:00breathing
17:01eased
17:01her
17:02color
17:02slowly
17:02returning
17:03i
17:04pressed
17:04a hand
17:05to my
17:05chest
17:05tears
17:06burning
17:06my
17:07eyes
17:07how
17:09how
17:10did
17:10you
17:11his
17:12gaze
17:12met
17:12mine
17:13dark
17:13and
17:14unreadable
17:14you're
17:16not
17:16the
17:16only
17:16one
17:16who's
17:17had
17:17to
17:17take
17:17care
17:17of
17:17someone
17:18something
17:19broke
17:19open
17:20inside
17:20me
17:20then
17:20something
17:21i'd
17:21been
17:21holding
17:22shut
17:22for
17:22years
17:22because
17:23in
17:23that
17:24wasn't
17:25a
17:25stranger
17:25wasn't
17:26a
17:26monster
17:26wasn't
17:27a
17:27debt
17:28i
17:28couldn't
17:28pay
17:28he
17:29was
17:29the
17:29only
17:29steady
17:30thing
17:30in
17:30the
17:30room
17:30when
17:31i
17:31walked
17:32him
17:32out
17:32later
17:32the
17:33hallway
17:33dim
17:33and
17:34quiet
17:34i
17:35couldn't
17:35stop
17:35myself
17:36vincenzo
17:37my
17:39voice
17:39was
17:39small
17:39fragile
17:40he
17:42turned
17:42waiting
17:42why
17:44are
17:44you
17:44helping
17:44me
17:44really
17:45for
17:47a
17:47long
17:47moment
17:48he
17:48just
17:48looked
17:48at
17:49me
17:49his
17:49jaw
17:50tight
17:50eyes
17:51softer
17:51than
17:51i'd
17:52ever
17:52seen
17:52them
17:52then
17:54his
17:55hand
17:55brushing
17:55mine
17:56just
17:56for
17:56an
17:57instant
17:57you
17:58already
17:59know
17:59why
17:59he
18:00whispered
18:01and
18:01then
18:01he
18:01was
18:01gone
18:02leaving
18:02me
18:03standing
18:03there
18:03with
18:03my
18:03heart
18:04pounding
18:04like
18:04it
18:04wanted
18:05to
18:05leap
18:05out
18:05of
18:05my
18:05chest
18:13i
18:13learned
18:14something
18:14about
18:14vincenzo
18:15in the
18:15weeks
18:15that
18:15followed
18:16he
18:16didn't
18:17talk
18:17unless
18:17he
18:17had
18:17to
18:18but
18:18when
18:19he
18:19did
18:19it
18:19was
18:20always
18:20the
18:20truth
18:20sharp
18:21simple
18:22unshakable
18:23and
18:24that
18:24truth
18:24scared
18:25me
18:25more
18:25than
18:25any
18:26lie
18:26ever
18:26could
18:26most
18:28nights
18:28he'd
18:29drive
18:29me
18:29home
18:29after
18:29checking
18:30in
18:30on
18:30my
18:30sister
18:31sometimes
18:32i
18:32swore
18:32he
18:32lingered
18:33at
18:33the
18:33door
18:33like
18:33he
18:34didn't
18:34want
18:34to
18:34leave
18:34sometimes
18:36he
18:36stayed
18:36not
18:37in
18:37my
18:37bed
18:38never
18:38once
18:38did
18:39he
18:39push
18:39for
18:39that
18:39no
18:41he
18:41sat
18:41at
18:42my
18:42kitchen
18:42table
18:42coat
18:43draped
18:43over
18:43the
18:43chair
18:44watching
18:44me
18:44make
18:45tea
18:45with
18:45the
18:45kind
18:45of
18:45focus
18:46that
18:46made
18:46my
18:46skin
18:47burn
18:47i'd
18:48glance
18:48up
18:48and
18:48catch
18:48him
18:48staring
18:49like
18:49i
18:50was
18:50something
18:50he
18:50couldn't
18:50figure
18:51out
18:51something
18:52he
18:52wanted
18:52to
18:53badly
18:54and
18:55the
18:55strangest
18:55thing
18:55i
18:56wanted
18:57him
18:57to
18:57one
18:58night
18:59i
18:59couldn't
18:59sleep
19:00the
19:00pipes
19:01in
19:01my
19:01apartment
19:01screamed
19:02my
19:02sister
19:03coughed
19:03in
19:03her
19:03room
19:04and
19:04the
19:04weight
19:05of
19:05everything
19:05pressed
19:06down
19:06until
19:06i
19:06thought
19:06i'd
19:07suffocate
19:07so
19:08i
19:08texted
19:08the
19:09number
19:09on
19:09his
19:09card
19:10just
19:11one
19:11word
19:11you
19:12awake
19:12the
19:14reply
19:14came
19:14instantly
19:15always
19:16fifteen
19:18minutes
19:18later
19:18there
19:19was
19:19a
19:19knock
19:19at
19:19my
19:19door
19:20i
19:21opened
19:21it
19:21to
19:21find
19:22him
19:22standing
19:22there
19:22hair
19:23damp
19:23from
19:23the
19:23rain
19:24dark
19:24coat
19:25unbuttoned
19:26eyes
19:26glinting
19:26like
19:27the
19:27night
19:27itself
19:27had
19:27delivered
19:28him
19:28to
19:28me
19:28you
19:30came
19:30i
19:31whispered
19:32you
19:33asked
19:33he
19:34said
19:34simply
19:34we
19:36sat
19:36on
19:36the
19:36couch
19:37in
19:37the
19:37dim
19:37glow
19:37of
19:38a
19:38lamp
19:38silence
19:39thick
19:39between
19:39us
19:40my
19:41knees
19:41were
19:41drawn
19:41to
19:41my
19:42chest
19:42his
19:43arms
19:43stretched
19:43across
19:43the
19:44back
19:44of
19:44the
19:44sofa
19:44not
19:45touching
19:45me
19:46but
19:46close
19:46enough
19:46that
19:46i
19:46felt
19:47the
19:47weight
19:47of
19:47him
19:47tell
19:49me
19:49something
19:50true
19:50i
19:51said
19:51suddenly
19:51my
19:52voice
19:52shaky
19:53his
19:54brow
19:54arched
19:54why
19:55because
19:57i'm
19:57tired
19:57of
19:57lies
19:58of
19:58pretending
19:59i
19:59want
20:00to
20:00hear
20:00something
20:00real
20:00for
20:01once
20:01his
20:02gaze
20:03lingered
20:03on
20:03me
20:03for
20:03a
20:03long
20:04moment
20:04then
20:05he
20:05leaned
20:05back
20:06exhaling
20:07slow
20:07i
20:08was
20:0912
20:09the
20:09first
20:09time
20:10i
20:10held
20:10a
20:10gun
20:10he
20:11said
20:11quietly
20:1216
20:13the
20:13first
20:13time
20:13i
20:14pulled
20:14the
20:14trigger
20:14the
20:16words
20:16chilled
20:16me
20:17but
20:17his
20:17voice
20:18god
20:19his
20:20voice
20:20wasn't
20:20proud
20:21it
20:21wasn't
20:22cruel
20:22it
20:23was
20:23tired
20:23haunted
20:24my
20:25throat
20:26closed
20:26why
20:27are
20:27you
20:27telling
20:28me
20:28this
20:28because
20:29you
20:30asked
20:30for
20:30the
20:30truth
20:31i
20:32hugged
20:32my
20:32knees
20:33tighter
20:33do
20:34you
20:34regret
20:34it
20:35his
20:36jaw
20:36tightened
20:36every
20:38day
20:38but
20:39regret
20:39doesn't
20:40change
20:40who
20:40i
20:40am
20:41silence
20:42stretched
20:43heavy
20:43and
20:43sharp
20:44i
20:44should
20:45have
20:45been
20:45afraid
20:45i
20:46should
20:46have
20:46thrown
20:46him
20:46out
20:47but
20:47instead
20:48i
20:48whispered
20:49you
20:50don't
20:50scare
20:50me
20:50his
20:51eyes
20:52snapped
20:52to
20:52mine
20:52burning
20:53you
20:54should
20:54maybe
20:55i
20:56should
20:56have
20:56but
20:57all
20:57i
20:57felt
20:57was
20:58this
20:58ache
20:58in
20:58my
20:58chest
20:59an
21:00ache
21:00that
21:00whispered
21:01he's
21:01broken
21:01too
21:01another
21:03night
21:03i
21:03found
21:04him
21:04standing
21:04on
21:04my
21:05balcony
21:05cigarette
21:06glowing
21:06in
21:07the
21:07dark
21:07rain
21:08misting
21:08his
21:08hair
21:09you
21:10shouldn't
21:11be
21:11out
21:11here
21:11i
21:12murmured
21:12wrapping
21:13my
21:13sweater
21:14tighter
21:14he
21:15didn't
21:15turn
21:15i
21:16can't
21:17sleep
21:17nightmares
21:18a
21:20long
21:20pause
21:20then
21:22memories
21:23i
21:24stepped
21:25closer
21:25shivering
21:26in the
21:26damp
21:26air
21:27you
21:28don't
21:28have
21:28to
21:28carry
21:28it
21:29alone
21:29finally
21:31he
21:31looked
21:31at
21:31me
21:32his
21:32expression
21:33was
21:33unreadable
21:34but
21:34his
21:34eyes
21:35god
21:35his
21:36eyes
21:36looked
21:37almost
21:38desperate
21:39no one's
21:40ever told
21:41me that
21:41he said
21:42softly
21:43i reached
21:44out before
21:44i could
21:45stop
21:45myself
21:46my fingers
21:46brushing
21:47his sleeve
21:47he didn't
21:49move
21:49didn't
21:50breathe
21:50just
21:51watched
21:51me
21:52like my
21:52touch
21:53was
21:53something
21:53he
21:53didn't
21:54know
21:54how
21:54to
21:54survive
21:55but
21:56the
21:56closer
21:56we
21:56got
21:57the
21:57more
21:57the
21:58shadows
21:58closed
21:58in
21:59i
22:00started
22:00noticing
22:01things
22:01phone
22:02calls
22:02he
22:03wouldn't
22:03take
22:03in
22:03front
22:03of
22:03me
22:04bruises
22:05on
22:05his
22:05knuckles
22:05he
22:05didn't
22:06explain
22:06men
22:07in
22:07dark
22:07cars
22:08parked
22:08across
22:08the
22:09street
22:09engines
22:10running
22:10but
22:10headlights
22:11off
22:11and
22:12one
22:12night
22:13when
22:13i
22:13asked
22:14him
22:14what
22:14he
22:14really
22:14did
22:14for
22:14a
22:15living
22:15he
22:16didn't
22:16answer
22:16he
22:17just
22:17looked
22:17at
22:18me
22:18with
22:18those
22:18storm
22:19dark
22:19eyes
22:19then
22:20turned
22:20away
22:21the
22:22silence
22:22between
22:22us
22:23that
22:23night
22:23hurt
22:24more
22:24than
22:24any
22:24words
22:25could
22:25have
22:25doubt
22:26crept
22:26in
22:27fear
22:28whispered
22:28in
22:28my
22:29ear
22:29at
22:29night
22:29because
22:30if
22:30i
22:31let
22:31myself
22:31fall
22:32if
22:32i
22:32gave
22:32in
22:33to
22:33this
22:33magnetic
22:33pull
22:34between
22:34us
22:34what
22:35would
22:35it
22:35cost
22:36me
22:36what
22:37would
22:37it
22:37cost
22:37my
22:37sister
22:38and
22:39yet
22:39i
22:40couldn't
22:41stay
22:41away
22:41it
22:43all
22:43cracked
22:43the
22:43night
22:44i
22:44told
22:44him
22:44my
22:44deepest
22:45fear
22:45we
22:46were
22:46sitting
22:46in
22:50i
22:51don't
22:51even
22:52know
22:52what
22:52made
22:52me
22:52blurt
22:53it
22:53out
22:53but
22:53the
22:54words
22:54spilled
22:54from
22:54me
22:54before
22:55i
22:55could
22:55stop
22:55them
22:56i'm
22:57afraid
22:57of
22:58being
22:58left
22:58his
23:00head
23:00turned
23:00slowly
23:00his
23:01gaze
23:02pinning
23:02me
23:02in
23:02place
23:03i
23:04swallowed
23:04hard
23:04my
23:05voice
23:05breaking
23:05everyone
23:07i've
23:07ever
23:08loved
23:08my
23:09dad
23:09the
23:10boy
23:10i
23:10thought
23:10i'd
23:10marry
23:11they
23:11all
23:12left
23:12they
23:13all
23:13chose
23:14something
23:14else
23:14over
23:14me
23:15and
23:15i
23:15don't
23:15know
23:16if
23:16i
23:16can
23:16survive
23:16that
23:17again
23:17the
23:18silence
23:18stretched
23:18unbearable
23:19i
23:21wanted
23:21him
23:21to
23:21tell
23:21me
23:21i
23:22was
23:22wrong
23:22that
23:22he
23:23was
23:23different
23:23i
23:24wanted
23:24him
23:24to
23:25promise
23:25he'd
23:25stay
23:25but
23:26he
23:26didn't
23:27his
23:28jaw
23:28tightened
23:28his
23:29hands
23:30curled
23:30into
23:30fists
23:31and
23:32in
23:32that
23:32terrible
23:32silence
23:33i
23:34saw
23:34the
23:34truth
23:34he
23:36couldn't
23:36promise
23:36me
23:37anything
23:37because
23:38whatever
23:39world
23:39he
23:39lived
23:40in
23:40whatever
23:40secrets
23:41he
23:41carried
23:41it
23:42would
23:42always
23:43be
23:43stronger
23:43than
23:43me
23:44i
23:45pushed
23:45up
23:46my chest
23:47burning
23:47that's
23:48it
23:48isn't
23:49it
23:49you'll
23:50never
23:50tell
23:50me
23:50the
23:50truth
23:51you'll
23:51never
23:52let
23:52me
23:52in
23:52don't
23:54he
23:55growled
23:55standing
23:55to
23:56his
23:56voice
23:57low
23:57and
23:57dangerous
23:58don't
23:59ask
23:59for
23:59something
23:59you're
23:59not
24:00ready
24:00to
24:00carry
24:00maybe
24:02i
24:02am
24:03ready
24:03i
24:04shot
24:04back
24:04tears
24:05stinging
24:05my
24:05eyes
24:06maybe
24:06i
24:06just
24:07want
24:07someone
24:07anyone
24:08to
24:08stay
24:08his
24:10eyes
24:10blazed
24:10with
24:11something
24:11i
24:11couldn't
24:11name
24:12he
24:13stepped
24:13closer
24:14his
24:14hand
24:15gripping
24:15my wrist
24:16not
24:16hard
24:17but
24:17firm
24:17enough
24:18to
24:18stop
24:18me
24:18from
24:18walking
24:19away
24:19i
24:20don't
24:21stay
24:21he
24:22said
24:22voice
24:23raw
24:23i
24:24survive
24:25and
24:26if
24:26you're
24:26smart
24:26you'll
24:27do
24:27the
24:27same
24:28the
24:29words
24:29cut
24:29me
24:30open
24:30and
24:31for
24:31the
24:31first
24:31time
24:32since
24:32i'd
24:32met
24:32him
24:32i
24:33didn't
24:33see
24:34safety
24:34in
24:34his
24:34eyes
24:35i
24:36saw
24:36distance
24:36walls
24:38and
24:38it
24:39broke
24:39something
24:39in
24:39me
24:40that
24:41night
24:41i
24:42left
24:42his
24:42penthouse
24:43with
24:43my
24:43chest
24:43hollow
24:44my
24:44heart
24:44splintering
24:45under
24:45the
24:45weight
24:46of
24:46a
24:46truth
24:46i
24:46didn't
24:46want
24:47to
24:47face
24:47no
24:48matter
24:48how
24:48close
24:49he
24:49held
24:49me
24:49no
24:50matter
24:50how
24:50steady
24:51his
24:51touch
24:51felt
24:51he
24:52was
24:53still
24:58distance
24:58would
24:58make
24:59it
24:59easier
24:59i
25:00thought
25:00pulling
25:01away
25:01ignoring
25:02his
25:02calls
25:03keeping
25:03my
25:03door
25:04locked
25:04at
25:04night
25:04would
25:04give
25:04me
25:05room
25:05to
25:05breathe
25:05but
25:06it
25:06didn't
25:07it
25:08only
25:08made
25:08me
25:08ache
25:09more
25:09because
25:10once
25:10you
25:10felt
25:11someone
25:11steady
25:11you
25:11when
25:12your
25:12whole
25:12world
25:12is
25:12collapsing
25:13silence
25:15feels
25:15like
25:15drowning
25:15it
25:16was
25:16a
25:16tuesday
25:17night
25:17when
25:17everything
25:18came
25:18undone
25:18i
25:19was
25:19walking
25:20home
25:20from
25:20the
25:20diner
25:20the
25:21streets
25:21slick
25:22with
25:22rain
25:22my
25:23shoes
25:23soaked
25:23through
25:23my
25:24sister
25:25was
25:25waiting
25:25at
25:25home
25:25homework
25:26spread
25:26across
25:27the
25:27table
25:27medicine
25:28lined
25:28up
25:29in
25:29little
25:29bottles
25:29i
25:29could
25:30barely
25:30afford
25:30i
25:32rounded
25:32the
25:32corner
25:32to
25:32our
25:32building
25:33and
25:33froze
25:33the
25:34door
25:34was
25:34open
25:35my
25:35chest
25:36locked
25:36i
25:37crept
25:37closer
25:37the
25:38rain
25:38loud
25:38against
25:39the
25:39pavement
25:39my
25:40hands
25:40shaking
25:40as
25:40i
25:41pushed
25:41inside
25:41the
25:42apartment
25:43was
25:43wrecked
25:44chairs
25:44overturned
25:45drawers
25:45pulled
25:46out
25:46the
25:46insulin
25:47i'd
25:47fought
25:47so
25:47hard
25:48to
25:48by
25:48smashed
25:48on
25:48the
25:49floor
25:49and
25:50my
25:50sister
25:50gone
25:51my
25:53scream
25:53tore
25:53out
25:53of
25:54me
25:54raw
25:54and
25:55jagged
25:55maddie
25:56maddie
25:57nothing
25:58just
25:59silence
25:59my
26:00legs
26:00buckled
26:01but
26:01before
26:01i
26:02hit
26:02the
26:02ground
26:02i
26:03felt
26:03arms
26:03around
26:04me
26:04strong
26:05unshakable
26:06vincenzo
26:07he was
26:09suddenly
26:09there
26:09like the
26:10shadows
26:10had
26:10delivered
26:11him
26:11his
26:11jaw
26:12was
26:12tight
26:12eyes
26:13blazing
26:13where
26:15is
26:15she
26:15i
26:16sobbed
26:16clutching
26:17at
26:17his
26:17coat
26:17they
26:18took
26:19her
26:19oh
26:19my
26:20god
26:20they
26:21took
26:21her
26:21his
26:22grip
26:23tightened
26:23steadying
26:24me
26:24listen
26:25to
26:25me
26:26i
26:26will
26:26find
26:26her
26:27my
26:28tears
26:28blurred
26:29everything
26:29how
26:30who
26:32who
26:33would
26:33he
26:33glanced
26:34around
26:34the
26:34apartment
26:34his
26:35face
26:35darkening
26:36he
26:37pulled
26:37something
26:37from
26:37the
26:37floor
26:38a
26:39folded
26:39piece
26:39of
26:39paper
26:40his
26:41jaw
26:41clenched
26:41as
26:41he
26:41read
26:42what
26:43is
26:44it
26:44i
26:44demanded
26:44my
26:45voice
26:45breaking
26:46his
26:47eyes
26:47flicked
26:47to
26:48mine
26:48full
26:48of
26:49something
26:49i'd
26:49never
26:49seen
26:50in
26:50him
26:50before
26:50rage
26:51fear
26:52regret
26:53they
26:54want
26:54me
26:55he said
26:55flatly
26:56my
26:57stomach
26:57dropped
26:57what
26:59what do
26:59you
26:59mean
27:00who
27:00wants
27:00you
27:00his
27:02silence
27:02was
27:02the
27:02answer
27:03the
27:03mafia
27:04his
27:05world
27:05the
27:06one
27:06he'd
27:06kept
27:06hidden
27:06from
27:07me
27:07and
27:08now
27:08my
27:08sister
27:08was
27:09the
27:09price
27:09the
27:10hours
27:10that
27:10followed
27:11were
27:11hell
27:11we
27:12drove
27:12through
27:12the
27:12city
27:13his
27:13phone
27:14buzzing
27:14with
27:14coded
27:14calls
27:15his
27:15voice
27:16sharp
27:16and
27:16clipped
27:16in
27:17a
27:17language
27:17i
27:17didn't
27:17understand
27:18finally
27:19i
27:20snapped
27:20tell me
27:22the truth
27:22vincenzo
27:23tell me
27:23what you've
27:24dragged
27:24us
27:24into
27:25his
27:26hands
27:26gripped
27:26the
27:26wheel
27:27so
27:27hard
27:27his
27:27knuckles
27:28whitened
27:28this
27:29isn't
27:30your
27:30burden
27:30i
27:31hid
27:32his
27:32arm
27:32desperate
27:33furious
27:33it
27:34is
27:34now
27:34my
27:35sister
27:35is
27:35gone
27:36because
27:36of
27:36you
27:36because
27:37you
27:37wouldn't
27:37just
27:37let
27:38me
27:41low
27:42and
27:42rough
27:42if
27:43i'd
27:43let
27:43you
27:44walk
27:44away
27:44you'd
27:44already
27:44be
27:45dead
27:45do
27:46you
27:46understand
27:46that
27:46i
27:48froze
27:48chest
27:49heaving
27:49he
27:50turned
27:50then
27:50his
27:51eyes
27:51blazing
27:51into
27:52mine
27:52you
27:53think
27:53i
27:53wanted
27:54this
27:54you
27:55think
27:55i
27:55wanted
27:55you
27:55in
27:55this
27:56world
27:56i
27:57tried
27:57i
27:58swear
27:58i
27:58tried
27:58to
27:58keep
27:59you
27:59out
27:59but
28:00you
28:00his
28:01voice
28:02cracked
28:02just
28:03barely
28:03you're
28:04already
28:04inside
28:05me
28:05and
28:06that
28:06means
28:06they'll
28:06use
28:07you
28:07unless
28:08i
28:08end
28:11low
28:11because
28:12beneath
28:13the
28:13anger
28:13beneath
28:14the
28:14fear
28:14i
28:15heard
28:15the
28:15truth
28:16he
28:16hadn't
28:16dared
28:16say
28:17he
28:17loved
28:18me
28:18we
28:19found
28:19them
28:19at
28:19a
28:20warehouse
28:20on
28:20the
28:20edge
28:20of
28:20the
28:21city
28:21the
28:22moment
28:22vincenzo's
28:23men
28:23pulled
28:23up
28:23my
28:24heart
28:24stopped
28:24i'd
28:25never
28:26seen
28:26him
28:26like
28:26this
28:26before
28:27cold
28:28lethal
28:28the
28:29storm
28:29of
28:30a
28:30man
28:30unleashed
28:30orders
28:32snapped
28:32guns
28:33drawn
28:33shadows
28:34moving
28:34like
28:35ghosts
28:35he
28:36turned
28:36to
28:37me
28:37before
28:37he
28:37stepped
28:37inside
28:38his
28:39hand
28:39cupped
28:39my
28:40face
28:40thumb
28:41brushing
28:41the
28:41tears
28:41i
28:41couldn't
28:42stop
28:42stay
28:43here
28:44he
28:44ordered
28:45voice
28:45low
28:46commanding
28:46i shook
28:48my head
28:48violently
28:48no
28:49i'm
28:50not
28:50letting
28:50you
28:51walk
28:51in
28:51there
28:51alone
28:51his
28:53jaw
28:53tightened
28:53this
28:54isn't
28:55your
28:55fight
28:55yes
28:56it
28:57is
28:57i
28:57choked
28:58she's
28:58my
28:59sister
28:59she's
29:00all
29:00i
29:00have
29:01and
29:01if
29:01you
29:01think
29:02i'm
29:02gonna
29:02sit
29:02out
29:02here
29:02and
29:03do
29:03nothing
29:03while
29:03she's
29:03in
29:04there
29:04then
29:04you
29:05don't
29:05know
29:05me
29:05at
29:05all
29:06for
29:07the
29:07first
29:07time
29:07his
29:08mask
29:08cracked
29:08his
29:09forehead
29:09pressed
29:10to
29:10mine
29:10his
29:11voice
29:11breaking
29:12you'll
29:13kill
29:13me
29:13if
29:14you
29:14go
29:14in
29:14there
29:14i
29:15whispered
29:16back
29:16then
29:17we'll
29:17die
29:17together
29:18the
29:19firefight
29:20inside
29:20was
29:21chaos
29:21shouts
29:22gunfire
29:23shadows
29:24leaping
29:24across
29:25walls
29:25vincenzo
29:27was
29:27everywhere
29:27at
29:27once
29:28fists
29:29bullets
29:30commands
29:30a force
29:31of
29:31nature
29:31that
29:32even
29:32fear
29:32bowed
29:33to
29:33and
29:34me
29:34i ran
29:36through
29:36the
29:36madness
29:37calling
29:37for
29:38maddie
29:38my heart
29:39splitting
29:39with
29:39every
29:40unanswered
29:40cry
29:41finally
29:42i found
29:43her
29:43tied to
29:44a chair
29:45eyes
29:45wide
29:46with
29:46terror
29:46maddie
29:48i
29:49i
29:49sobbed
29:49fumbling
29:50with
29:50the
29:50ropes
29:51my
29:51hands
29:52raw
29:52and
29:52bleeding
29:53i'm
29:53here
29:54baby
29:54i'm
29:54here
29:55but
29:56before
29:56i
29:56could
29:57free
29:57her
29:57a
29:58man
29:58stepped
29:58out
29:58of
29:58the
29:58shadows
29:59gun
30:00raised
30:00aimed
30:01at
30:01me
30:01i
30:02froze
30:02my
30:03breath
30:03caught
30:04my
30:04body
30:05shielded
30:05my
30:05sisters
30:06and
30:06then
30:07vincenzo's
30:08voice
30:08like
30:09thunder
30:09touch
30:10her
30:10and
30:10you're
30:10dead
30:11the
30:12man
30:12hesitated
30:13sneered
30:13then
30:14moved
30:14his
30:14finger
30:15on
30:15the
30:15trigger
30:15i
30:16screamed
30:16the
30:17shot
30:17rang
30:17out
30:18but
30:19it
30:19wasn't
30:19me
30:19who
30:19fell
30:20vincenzo
30:21had
30:21moved
30:21like
30:22lightning
30:22his
30:22own
30:23gun
30:23still
30:23smoking
30:24the
30:25man
30:25crumpled
30:25to the
30:25ground
30:26and
30:26then
30:27vincenzo
30:27was
30:27there
30:28grabbing
30:28me
30:29pulling
30:29me
30:29against
30:30his
30:30chest
30:30his
30:31body
30:31shaking
30:32with
30:32rage
30:32you
30:33don't
30:34ever
30:34stand
30:34in
30:34front
30:35of
30:35a
30:35bullet
30:35for
30:35me
30:35again
30:36he
30:36snarled
30:37his
30:37voice
30:38raw
30:38do
30:39you
30:39understand
30:40don't
30:41you
30:41ever
30:41i
30:42clutched
30:45i
30:45lost
30:46you
30:46his
30:47arms
30:47tightened
30:48around
30:48me
30:48crushing
30:49desperate
30:49you'll
30:51never
30:51lose
30:51me
30:51even
30:52if
30:53it
30:53kills
30:53me
30:53you'll
30:54never
30:54lose
30:54me
30:55we
30:55got
30:55maddie
30:56out
30:56alive
30:56she
30:58clung
30:58to me
30:58in the
30:59back
30:59seat
30:59weak
31:00but
31:00safe
31:01and
31:02yet
31:02as
31:03the
31:03city
31:03lights
31:03blurred
31:04past
31:04the
31:04windows
31:05my
31:05chest
31:06ached
31:06with
31:06something
31:07i
31:07couldn't
31:07silence
31:08because
31:09survival
31:09had
31:10cost
31:10us
31:10something
31:11i'd
31:12seen
31:12the
31:12truth
31:12of
31:13who
31:13vincenzo
31:13was
31:14what
31:15his
31:16world
31:17demanded
31:17and
31:18as
31:18much
31:18as
31:18i
31:18loved
31:19him
31:19i
31:19couldn't
31:20unsee
31:20it
31:20i
31:29used
31:29to
31:29think
31:29the
31:29worst
31:30feeling
31:30in
31:30the
31:30world
31:30was
31:31exhaustion
31:31that
31:32bone
31:33deep
31:33never
31:33ending
31:34tired
31:34that
31:34sinks
31:35into
31:35your
31:35soul
31:35when
31:36life
31:36keeps
31:36grinding
31:37you
31:37down
31:37i
31:39was
31:39wrong
31:40the
31:41worst
31:41feeling
31:41in
31:41the
31:41world
31:42is
31:42watching
31:42someone
31:43you
31:43love
31:43bleed
31:44and
31:44knowing
31:44you
31:45might
31:45not
31:45get
31:45them
31:45back
31:46it
31:47happened
31:47two
31:47weeks
31:48after
31:48the
31:48warehouse
31:48two
31:49weeks
31:49of
31:50silence
31:50from
31:50vincenzo
31:51two
31:51weeks
31:52of
31:52his
31:52world
31:52going
31:53quiet
31:53too
31:54quiet
31:54he
31:55kept
31:55his
31:56distance
31:56at
31:57first
31:57i
31:58thought
31:58he
31:58was
31:58giving
31:58me
31:59space
31:59but
32:00no
32:00he
32:01was
32:01protecting
32:02me
32:02i
32:03saw
32:03it
32:03in
32:04the
32:04way
32:04unfamiliar
32:04cars
32:05idled
32:05too
32:05close
32:06to
32:06my
32:06building
32:06the
32:07way
32:07strange
32:07men
32:08lingered
32:08at
32:08the
32:08corner
32:08store
32:09the
32:09storm
32:10hadn't
32:10passed
32:10it
32:11only
32:11gathered
32:12strength
32:12and
32:13then
32:13one
32:14night
32:14it
32:15broke
32:15i
32:16was
32:17at
32:17the
32:17diner
32:17when
32:17it
32:17happened
32:18the
32:19dinner
32:19rush
32:19had
32:19just
32:19ended
32:20the
32:20place
32:20empty
32:21except
32:21for
32:21me
32:21wiping
32:22down
32:22tables
32:22that's
32:24when
32:24the
32:24bell
32:24above
32:24the
32:25door
32:25jingled
32:25three
32:26men
32:26walked
32:27in
32:27suits
32:28too
32:28sharp
32:28eyes
32:29too
32:29cold
32:30they
32:30didn't
32:31order
32:31didn't
32:32sit
32:32just
32:33stood
32:34there
32:34watching
32:35me
32:35one
32:36of
32:36them
32:36smiled
32:37you're
32:38harder
32:38to find
32:39than
32:39we
32:39expected
32:39my
32:41stomach
32:41dropped
32:41i
32:42i think
32:43you've
32:44got
32:44the
32:44wrong
32:44person
32:44the
32:45smile
32:46widened
32:46no
32:48we've
32:49got
32:49the
32:49right
32:49one
32:49vincenzo's
32:50little
32:51weakness
32:51before
32:53i could
32:53move
32:53they
32:54were
32:54on
32:54me
32:54one
32:55grabbed
32:55my
32:56arm
32:56the
32:57other
32:57clamped
32:57a
32:57hand
32:57over
32:58my
32:58mouth
32:58panic
32:59clawed
32:59up
32:59my
33:00throat
33:00i
33:01kicked
33:01fought
33:02screamed
33:02against
33:03his
33:03palm
33:03and
33:04then
33:05gunfire
33:06the
33:07window
33:07shattered
33:08shouts
33:09erupted
33:09the
33:10men
33:10dragged
33:10me
33:11toward
33:11the
33:11door
33:11but
33:12bullets
33:12tore
33:12through
33:13the
33:13diner
33:13glass
33:14raining
33:14around
33:14us
33:15and
33:15through
33:15the
33:16chaos
33:16him
33:17vincenzo
33:18ruthless
33:19explosive
33:20a storm
33:21in human
33:22form
33:22tearing
33:23through
33:23them
33:23like
33:23he'd
33:24been
33:24waiting
33:24for
33:24this
33:24moment
33:25his
33:26face
33:26was
33:26wild
33:27eyes
33:27burning
33:27with
33:28fury
33:28and
33:28fear
33:29let
33:29her
33:30go
33:30his
33:31voice
33:31roared
33:32through
33:32the
33:32wreckage
33:32they
33:34didn't
33:34so he
33:35didn't
33:35give
33:35them
33:35the
33:35chance
33:36to
33:36reconsider
33:36when
33:37it
33:37was
33:38over
33:38the
33:39men
33:39were
33:39down
33:39silent
33:41the
33:42diner
33:42smelled
33:42of
33:42smoke
33:43and
33:43blood
33:43and
33:44vincenzo
33:45he
33:46was
33:46bleeding
33:46it
33:47wasn't
33:47much
33:48at
33:48first
33:48just a
33:49dark
33:49patch
33:50spreading
33:50across
33:50his
33:50shirt
33:51he
33:52tried
33:52to
33:52hide
33:52it
33:53pressing
33:53a
33:53hand
33:53to
33:53his
33:54side
33:54as
33:54he
33:54pulled
33:54me
33:55into
33:55his
33:55chest
33:55as if
33:56shielding
33:57me
33:57from
33:57the
33:57world
33:57could
33:57erase
33:58the
33:58fact
33:58that
33:58his
33:59life
33:59was
33:59seeping
33:59out
34:00between
34:00his
34:00fingers
34:01no
34:02no
34:02no
34:02my
34:03voice
34:03cracked
34:04you're
34:04hurt
34:04oh
34:05god
34:05i'm
34:06fine
34:07he
34:07ground
34:08out
34:08though
34:08his
34:09face
34:09was
34:09pale
34:09his
34:10jaw
34:10clenched
34:10don't
34:12you
34:12lie
34:12to
34:12me
34:12i screamed
34:13shoving
34:14at
34:14his
34:14chest
34:15my
34:15hands
34:15slick
34:16with
34:16his
34:16blood
34:16don't
34:17you
34:17dare
34:18leave
34:18me
34:18like
34:18this
34:18don't
34:19you
34:19dare
34:20his
34:21eyes
34:21locked
34:22on
34:22mine
34:22for
34:23the
34:23first
34:23time
34:24i
34:24saw
34:24fear
34:25in
34:25them
34:25not
34:26for
34:26himself
34:26for
34:27me
34:27you
34:29have
34:29to
34:29run
34:29he
34:30whispered
34:31his
34:31voice
34:31shaking
34:32they
34:32won't
34:33stop
34:33they'll
34:34come
34:34for
34:34you
34:34again
34:34i'm
34:35not
34:36leaving
34:36you
34:36damn
34:37it
34:38you
34:38have
34:38to
34:38i
34:39grabbed
34:40his
34:40face
34:40forcing
34:41him
34:41to
34:41look
34:41at
34:41me
34:42tears
34:43blurred
34:43everything
34:43but
34:44my
34:44voice
34:44was
34:44steady
34:45fierce
34:46you
34:47told
34:47me
34:47i'd
34:47never
34:48lose
34:48you
34:48don't
34:49you
34:49break
34:49that
34:49promise
34:49now
34:50we
34:51staggered
34:51out
34:52together
34:52his
34:52weight
34:53heavy
34:53against
34:53me
34:53his
34:54men
34:54pulled
34:55up
34:55black
34:56suvs
34:56screeching
34:57to a
34:57halt
34:57doors
34:58flying
34:58open
34:58they
34:59rushed
35:00him
35:00shouting
35:00in
35:01italian
35:01pulling
35:02him
35:02into
35:02the
35:02back
35:02seat
35:03i
35:04climbed
35:04in
35:04after
35:04him
35:05my
35:05hands
35:05pressed
35:06hard
35:06against
35:06his
35:06wound
35:07his
35:07blood
35:08was
35:08hot
35:08thick
35:09soaking
35:10through
35:10my
35:10clothes
35:10stay
35:12with
35:12me
35:12i
35:13begged
35:13just
35:14stay
35:14awake
35:14please
35:15please
35:16his
35:17hand
35:17found
35:18mine
35:18weak
35:19but
35:19certain
35:19his
35:20lips
35:20curved
35:21in
35:21the
35:21faintest
35:21broken
35:22smile
35:22stubborn
35:24woman
35:24he
35:25whispered
35:26my
35:27sob
35:27broke
35:27into
35:27the
35:27night
35:28the
35:28hospital
35:29was
35:29chaos
35:29shouts
35:30doctors
35:31rushing
35:32bright
35:32lights
35:33blinding
35:33they
35:34tried
35:35to
35:35pull
35:35me
35:35back
35:35but
35:36i
35:36fought
35:36them
35:37screaming
35:37his
35:38name
35:38fighting
35:39like
35:39i
35:39could
35:39claw
35:40my
35:40way
35:40through
35:40sterile
35:41walls
35:41and
35:41save
35:41him
35:42myself
35:42finally
35:44a
35:44nurse
35:45gripped
35:45my
35:45arms
35:46steadying
35:46me
35:47you
35:48can't
35:48go
35:48in
35:48let
35:49them
35:49work
35:50so
35:51i
35:51waited
35:52hours
35:53blurred
35:54into
35:54forever
35:54my
35:55clothes
35:56stiff
35:56with
35:56his
35:56blood
35:57my
35:57hands
35:57trembling
35:58my
35:59prayers
35:59whispered
36:00into
36:00clenched
36:00fists
36:01and
36:02in
36:02those
36:02hours
36:03i
36:03realized
36:04something
36:04with
36:04terrifying
36:05clarity
36:05i
36:06wasn't
36:06afraid
36:07of
36:07him
36:07anymore
36:07i
36:08was
36:08afraid
36:08of
36:08a
36:09world
36:09without
36:09him
36:09when
36:10the
36:10doctor
36:11finally
36:11came
36:11out
36:11his
36:12face
36:12was
36:12grim
36:13he's
36:14alive
36:14he
36:15said
36:15the
36:16words
36:17knocked
36:17the
36:17air
36:17out
36:17of
36:17me
36:18my
36:18knees
36:19gave
36:19my
36:20hands
36:20covering
36:21my
36:21mouth
36:21as
36:21a
36:21sob
36:22tore
36:22through
36:22me
36:23but
36:24the
36:25doctor
36:25continued
36:26it
36:26was
36:27close
36:27very
36:28close
36:28he
36:29lost
36:30a lot
36:30of
36:30blood
36:30he'll
36:31need
36:31time
36:32and
36:32protection
36:33protection
36:34that word
36:36chilled
36:36me
36:36because
36:37it
36:37meant
36:37this
36:38wasn't
36:38over
36:38i
36:40sat
36:40by
36:40his
36:40bed
36:40all
36:41night
36:41listening
36:41to
36:41the
36:41steady
36:42beep
36:42of
36:42the
36:42monitor
36:43watching
36:43his
36:43chest
36:44rise
36:44and
36:44fall
36:45his
36:45hand
36:46was
36:46limp
36:46in
36:46mine
36:47his
36:47skin
36:47cold
36:48why
36:49why
36:49do
36:49you
36:49do
36:49this
36:49to
36:49me
36:50i
36:50whispered
36:51my
36:51voice
36:51raw
36:52why
36:52do
36:53you
36:53make
36:53me
36:53care
36:53when
36:53you
36:54swore
36:54you'd
36:54never
36:54stay
36:55he
36:56didn't
36:57answer
36:57not
36:58then
36:59but
37:00his
37:00fingers
37:00twitched
37:01in
37:01mine
37:01just
37:02enough
37:02to
37:02remind
37:02me
37:03he
37:03was
37:03still
37:03there
37:03i
37:05thought
37:05maybe
37:05that
37:05was
37:05the
37:06worst
37:06of
37:06it
37:06that
37:07surviving
37:07the
37:08blood
37:08the
37:08bullets
37:09the
37:09hospital
37:09meant
37:10we'd
37:10finally
37:10found
37:11the
37:11bottom
37:11of
37:11the
37:11storm
37:12but
37:18my
37:18name
37:18like
37:19a
37:19prayer
37:19i
37:20saw
37:20the
37:20truth
37:21in
37:21them
37:21and
37:22it
37:22broke
37:22me
37:22he
37:23wasn't
37:23planning
37:24to
37:24let
37:24me
37:24stay
37:24he
37:25was
37:25planning
37:25to
37:25push
37:26me
37:26away
37:26for
37:27good
37:27i
37:28thought
37:28he
37:28was
37:28gone
37:28that
37:29night
37:30in
37:30the
37:30hospital
37:30when
37:31the
37:31machine
37:31screamed
37:32and
37:32the
37:32doctors
37:32rushed
37:33and
37:33i
37:33clung
37:33to
37:33his
37:34hand
37:34like
37:34i
37:48or
37:48maybe
37:48something
37:49fiercer
37:49something
37:50hungrier
37:50decided
37:51differently
37:52vincenzo
37:53lived
37:53he
37:54healed
37:55slow
37:55too
37:56slow
37:56for
37:56a
37:56man
37:57who
37:57had
37:57spent
37:57his
37:57whole
37:58life
37:58forcing
37:58control
37:59over
37:59everything
37:59his
38:00body
38:01betrayed
38:01him
38:01his
38:02strength
38:02dragged
38:02down
38:03by
38:03weakness
38:03his
38:04pride
38:04gnawed
38:05raw
38:05and
38:06with
38:06every
38:06labored
38:06breath
38:07every
38:08grimace
38:08as he
38:08tried
38:09to
38:09rise
38:09from
38:09that
38:10hospital
38:10bed
38:10i
38:11saw
38:11it
38:11the
38:12decision
38:13building
38:13in
38:13his
38:13eyes
38:14he
38:15was
38:15going
38:15to
38:16let
38:16me
38:16go
38:16not
38:17because
38:17he
38:18didn't
38:18want
38:18me
38:18but
38:19because
38:19he
38:20did
38:20because
38:21in
38:21that
38:21damaged
38:22heart
38:22of
38:22his
38:22he
38:23thought
38:23love
38:24meant
38:24sacrifice
38:25one
38:26night
38:26weeks
38:27later
38:27when
38:28the
38:28worst
38:28of
38:28the
38:28danger
38:29had
38:29passed
38:29he
38:30tried
38:30i'll
38:32never
38:32forget
38:32it
38:33i was
38:34sitting
38:35by the
38:35window
38:35in his
38:36penthouse
38:36staring
38:37out
38:37at
38:37the
38:37city
38:37lights
38:38my
38:38sister
38:39asleep
38:39in
38:39the
38:39guest
38:40room
38:40safe
38:40for
38:41once
38:41vincenzo
38:42came up
38:43behind
38:43me
38:43still
38:44pale
38:44still
38:45weak
38:45his
38:45hand
38:46resting
38:46on
38:46the
38:46back
38:47of
38:47the
38:47chair
38:47you
38:48should
38:48go
38:48he
38:49said
38:49softly
38:49i
38:50froze
38:51what
38:52his
38:53eyes
38:54god
38:54those
38:55eyes
38:55burned
38:55with
38:55everything
38:56he
38:56couldn't
38:56say
38:56you
38:58deserve
38:58a
38:58life
38:58without
38:59this
38:59without
39:00me
39:00anger
39:01flared
39:02sharp
39:02and
39:02bitter
39:03i
39:04stood
39:04turning
39:05to
39:05face
39:05him
39:05don't
39:06you
39:06dare
39:07don't
39:07you
39:07dare
39:08try
39:08to
39:08push
39:08me
39:08away
39:09like
39:09i
39:09am
39:09some
39:09fragile
39:10thing
39:10that
39:10cannot
39:10choose
39:11for
39:11myself
39:11his
39:13jaw
39:13clenched
39:13you
39:14don't
39:14understand
39:15i've
39:16painted
39:16a target
39:16on
39:16your
39:17back
39:17everyone
39:18i've
39:18ever
39:18cared
39:18for
39:19his
39:20voice
39:20cracked
39:21raw
39:21and
39:21jagged
39:22they're
39:23gone
39:23because
39:24of
39:24me
39:24i
39:25stepped
39:25closer
39:26my
39:26hands
39:27trembling
39:27my
39:27chest
39:28aching
39:28then
39:29let me
39:30be
39:30the
39:30one
39:30who
39:30stays
39:31let
39:32me
39:32be
39:32the
39:32one
39:32you
39:33don't
39:33lose
39:33his
39:34silence
39:35stretched
39:35heavy
39:36as
39:36thunder
39:36and
39:37then
39:37his
39:38defenses
39:38shattered
39:39he
39:40cupped
39:40my
39:40face
39:41his
39:41touch
39:42shaking
39:42his
39:42forehead
39:43pressing
39:43to
39:43mine
39:44you'll
39:45be
39:45the
39:45death
39:45of
39:46me
39:46he
39:46whispered
39:47i
39:48smiled
39:48through
39:49tears
39:49no
39:50i'll
39:52be
39:52the
39:52reason
39:52you
39:52live
39:53that
39:54was
39:54the
39:54night
39:54everything
39:55shifted
39:55not
39:56in
39:56some
39:56fairytale
39:57way
39:57we
39:58didn't
39:58wake
39:58up
39:59the
39:59next
39:59morning
39:59with
39:59all
40:00our
40:00scars
40:00erased
40:01his
40:02enemies
40:02didn't
40:02vanish
40:03my
40:03struggles
40:04didn't
40:04magically
40:04dissolve
40:05but
40:06we
40:06chose
40:06each
40:07other
40:07every
40:08single
40:08day
40:08after
40:09that
40:09we
40:09chose
40:10each
40:10other
40:10again
40:10six
40:11months
40:11later
40:12my
40:12life
40:12looked
40:13nothing
40:13like
40:13the
40:13one
40:13i
40:14used
40:14to
40:14know
40:14the
40:15apartment
40:15with
40:16rattling
40:16pipes
40:16gone
40:18my
40:19sister
40:19finally
40:19had
40:20her
40:20medication
40:20without
40:21me
40:21rationing
40:21pills
40:21like
40:22they
40:22were
40:22gold
40:22i
40:23wasn't
40:24killing
40:24myself
40:24with
40:25double
40:25shifts
40:25anymore
40:26wasn't
40:26dragging
40:27myself
40:27home
40:27to
40:28collapse
40:28on
40:28a
40:28mattress
40:29with
40:29springs
40:29stabbing
40:30my
40:30back
40:30instead
40:31there
40:32was
40:32a
40:33home
40:33a
40:34real
40:34one
40:34warmth
40:35in
40:35the
40:35walls
40:36safety
40:37in
40:37the
40:37silence
40:38and
40:38vincenzo
40:39he
40:40softened
40:40in
40:40ways
40:41i
40:41never
40:41thought
40:41possible
40:42not
40:43for
40:43the
40:43world
40:44not
40:44for
40:44anyone
40:45else
40:45only
40:46for
40:46me
40:46he
40:48he
40:48still
40:48had
40:48the
40:48sharp
40:48edges
40:49the
40:49steel
40:50that
40:50made
40:50men
40:50bow
40:50their
40:51heads
40:51when
40:51he
40:51walked
40:52into
40:52a
40:52room
40:52but
40:53at
40:54night
40:54when
40:54the
40:55city
40:55hushed
40:55and
40:55his
40:56hand
40:56found
40:56mine
40:56under
40:57the
40:57sheets
40:57i
40:58saw
40:58the
40:58truth
40:59the
41:00man
41:00who
41:00once
41:00terrified
41:01me
41:01had
41:01become
41:01the
41:02place
41:02i
41:02rested
41:02sometimes
41:04though
41:04when
41:05the
41:05moonlight
41:05hits
41:05his
41:06scars
41:06when
41:07his
41:07breathing
41:07catches
41:08in
41:08sleep
41:08i
41:09remember
41:10the
41:11gunfire
41:11the
41:12blood
41:12the
41:16and i
41:17press
41:18closer
41:18whispering
41:19against
41:19his
41:20skin
41:20like
41:20it's
41:20a
41:20prayer
41:21i'm
41:22here
41:22i'm
41:22not
41:23going
41:23anywhere
41:23i'm
41:24not
41:25he
41:25always
41:26stirs
41:26half
41:27asleep
41:27murmuring
41:28back
41:28in that
41:29gravel
41:29voice
41:29that
41:30still
41:30undoes
41:30me
41:31mine
41:32always
41:33mine
41:34do
41:35you
41:35want
41:35to
41:35know
41:35the
41:35strangest
41:36part
41:36i
41:37don't
41:37regret
41:38the
41:38snow
41:38storm
41:38i
41:39don't
41:39regret
41:40the
41:40crash
41:40the
41:41debt
41:41the
41:41danger
41:42because
41:43it
41:43led
41:43me
41:43to
41:43him
41:44to
41:45this
41:45impossible
41:46imperfect
41:46love
41:47that
41:47somehow
41:47survived
41:48everything
41:48that
41:49tried
41:49to
41:49tear
41:49it
41:49apart
41:50and
41:51maybe
41:51that's
41:51the
41:52secret
41:52maybe
41:53love
41:53isn't
41:54the
41:54soft
41:54thing
41:54i
41:54thought
41:55it
41:55had
41:55to
41:55be
41:55maybe
41:56it's
41:57not
41:57candlelight
41:57and
41:57roses
41:58maybe
41:59it's
41:59surviving
42:00the
42:00storm
42:00together
42:01maybe
42:02it's
42:02choosing
42:02each
42:02other
42:03again
42:03and
42:03again
42:04even
42:04when
42:04the
42:05world
42:05says
42:05you
42:05shouldn't
42:06so
42:06when
42:06people
42:07ask
42:07me
42:07if
42:07i
42:07believe
42:07in
42:08fate
42:08i
42:08smile
42:09i
42:10think
42:10of
42:10the
42:10night
42:10i
42:11slammed
42:11into
42:11the
42:11wrong
42:11car
42:12in
42:12the
42:12middle
42:12of
42:12a
42:12snowstorm
42:13and
42:14i
42:14whisper
42:14the
42:14truth
42:15the
42:15one
42:16i
42:16never
42:16thought
42:16i'd
42:16say
42:17out
42:17loud
42:17i
42:18thought
42:18i'd
42:18lost
42:19him
42:19forever
42:19but
42:21sometimes
42:21love
42:21doesn't
42:22let
42:22go
42:22it
42:23fights
42:23back
42:24i
42:24i
42:24i
42:24You
Comments