"Ruby, take this into the Valente compound. Give it to Don Valente himself and tell him Penelope Mancini is calling in her favor. Tell him I want annulment papers."
Years ago, when the Old Don had traveled to Millhaven personally to bring Frederico and the Rossetti boy back from the river, he'd been so grateful for my saving their lives that he promised me one request. Anything I asked. A blood debt, sworn on his name.
I had never dared waste that chance. Now, finally, it had a purpose.
Omero didn't return with Dr. Pastore until the following afternoon.
By then, the physician Ruby had summoned was already on his way out.
Omero caught the physician by the arm. "How is my wife?"
"She'll live. But I'm afraid..."
Omero's voice dropped low, unsteady in a way I'd rarely heard when it concerned me. "Afraid of what?"
The physician shook his head with a heavy sigh. "Her body is ruined. She'll spend the rest of her life in pain."