"Yeah," she said, forcing herself not to look away. "I'm sorry about that and more."
It was inadequate. Pathetic, even. But it was all she had.
Cassidy's gaze flicked once more to the bruise near her eye. His jaw tightened.
"Go to hell, Veronica Scalese," he said. "And I hope he does a whole lot more than that to you."
He lifted his hand, pointing directly at the bruise on her face.
Then he turned and walked away, cutting through the courtyard crowd without looking back.
Vee stood frozen.
The church bells began to ring again, signaling the next service.
"Wow," Valentina muttered under her breath. "That was frosty."
"That's a word for it," Vee replied.
She reached for her sister's hand instinctively, fingers curling tight. Valentina squeezed back without question. They began to stroll away from the church building.
The sun had risen higher now, illuminating everything too clearly.
