“Does this hurt?” Rio asked, poking gently at the bandage wrapped around her forehead.

“A little,” Azzurra whispered, her soft admission making the toddler’s lips purse into a pout, his big eyes clouding with guilt.

“Rio ish shorry, Zuzu,” he babbled in his babyish tone, cupping her cheeks to make her look at him. “When Rio gets big, Rio will pwotect you fwom e’wyone.”

Her heart melted. A smile spread across her lips as she nodded, pulling him close. “Of course, ...