Val had mentioned it before, not in so many words, but enough. The danger, the fear, the way their lives had become one long disaster since Luca entered it. He couldn't even blame her.
"It's just been too much for a while now," Marco said quietly.
Vee turned her head slightly, still held against Luca's chest.
"She's been afraid since Nonnina died," he continued. "Always expecting something bad to happen next. She tries to smile through it, but she's been waiting for the next blow."
Vee swallowed hard.
"She's going to be fine," Marco added. "I'm sure. Just needs time."
Vee sighed. Great. Now Marco understood her own sister better than her. Just great. He had known Val for how long? Five minutes? Vee had been too busy becoming Donna, too busy being Luca's, too busy trying not to fall apart, and in the middle of all that, Val had been unraveling.
