“Don’t panic; I have everything under control. No one is going to hurt you.” I couldn’t help laughing at the worried look on his face. Then he looked really concerned when that laughter turned into howls of pure cackling. I’m sure he thought I was losing my shit, but nothing could be further from the truth. My mind was as clear as a bell in the Italian countryside.

“Elena, what…?”

“Do you know what killing people with kindness does to them, Ryder? It eats them ...