*Caterina*

The rumbling of the engine as the car led me and Alessandro toward the prisoner exchange gave me something to focus on. I closed my eyes and felt the way the vehicle moved us closer to where my mother was. I had to stay focused on her.

If I didn’t, I knew that the fear that was coursing through me would become too much.

I was doing my best to hide my nerves, even though I knew that Allesandro could see right through me. I wanted to do this. ...