"Marco?" she called softly.
He cleared his throat before responding. "Are you properly dressed?"
A faint blush returned to Val's cheeks. She adjusted the robe around her more securely. "Yeah, uh, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I just…" Her words trailed off as Marco finally turned to face her.
Their eyes met, and the air between them seemed to thicken with unspoken emotion. Marco's gaze softened, taking in her disheveled hair, the remnants of tears in her eyes, and the protective way she held the robe closed around her. He quickly schooled his expression into one of calm reassurance.
"Is Vee going to be okay?" Val asked. "Don't lie to me, please."
Marco stepped closer. "She is protected,"
Valentina searched his face, looking for any sign of deception. "This 'kiss of death'…" she began hesitantly, the phrase still foreign and terrifying on her tongue.
"Ricardo exaggerates," he replied, offering a small, comforting smile. "Luca is leaving for Italy. He will sort everything out."
