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"I'et a pet when you're married?"

"You said you're married, not we're otten as her eyes ht you and I were getting married, Adrian"

I s what to tell her As I stare at the sun heavy in the sky, I find et for the better part of iven a puppy…Bruno,They grew up into healthy, beautiful hounds Cillian and Santino still have theirs"

"What happened to yours?"

I kick at the gravel, letting go of her arm "Someone poisoned him He died in my arms"

"That's horrible, Adrian!" Nicoletta looks appalled

I can tell she's a caring creature I shouldn't like anything about her, but this fact endears her to me a bit more

"Did you ever find out who did it?"

"I was never able to prove it," Ihappened with another boy e I knoas him"

Theinnocent that had nothing to do with our feud

Sometimes I wonder why I really want Marzia Whether it's just the need to protect her, or whether I' to steal froeance I'll do everything inpower to show Vitto I'm worthier than him

"Co on Nicoletta's arm I'm surprised she doesn't coarden

She stuh a thorny bush but doesn't say a word

Wordlessly, we come to a stop in front of a small burial site

"I buried Rex here myself"

"That's so sad Didn't your father help you?"

"No" My face tightens "Father wanted us to learn about loss, too That's part of e each got a dog"

"Seems like a cruel way to raise someone"

"Perhaps," I mutter "But it sure as fuck worked"