Page 27 of The White Picket Fence

“That’s going to be a challenge. Her resting, I mean. Sophie’s like the Energizer Bunny, always doing something. She makes me tired just watching her.” He got out of the car and went around to open her door, his heartbeat accelerating when she took the hand he offered.

It’s what friends do, he reminded himself.Friends.

She squared her shoulders and started walking. “Time to face the music.”

“Charlotte.” He tugged on her hand until she looked up at him. “You’re not on trial here. If he brings up the past, I’ll shut him down. You’re here to offer him information about the shop owners who were targeted. He’ll want to know your routine, any messages you’ve received, anything that might help him connect these cases, if there is a connection. But you’re not here to answer for the choices you made twenty-four years ago. Okay?”

Her smile was wobbly. “I believe you. Not sure about Vito’s reception, though. He let me know in no uncertain terms what he thought of me back then. If he’s still harboring even a fraction of his anger, it’s still going to be uncomfortable.”

Tino frowned. “He talked to you then?”

“Yes. Came to my house.” She looked away. “Yelled a lot. Wanted to know if I’d been cheating on you. If I had someone else waiting. I didn’t. I don’t think he believed me, but that’s the truth, Tino.”

“I believe you, and for now, that’s all that matters.” He led her to the house that had belonged to Sophie’s grandmother. She’d left it to Sophie when she died, and Sophie and Vito had made it a real home.

Tino wasn’t jealous.

Okay, maybe a little jealous.But it wasn’t like he didn’t want Vito to have this. He just wanted the same for himself.

He loved his brother. He really did. But if Vito hurt Charlotte’s feelings today, or made her feel even a little bad, Tino was going to have words with him.

And that Vito had gone to Charlotte’s house back then? That he’d accused her? Tino couldn’t think about that right now. He might say something to Vito that he couldn’t take back. He’d process later, then figure out what, if anything, he needed to address.

Ithadbeen twenty-four years. If Vito backed off his attitude toward Charlotte, Tino could let Vito’s interference go, too.

He’d lifted his fist to knock when Vito opened the door, his brother’s eyes shadowed and worried.

Because Sophie was on bed rest. Tino wanted to kick himself for forgetting about that for even a moment.

“How’s Sophie?” he asked.

“She’s fine!” Sophie called from the living room. “Come in.”

Vito held the door open wider so they could enter. “What she said.” He closed the door, letting his gaze drop to the hand Tino pressed at the small of Charlotte’s back before meeting her gaze squarely. “Welcome to our home, Charlotte.”

Charlotte blinked, startled. “Um...thank you.”

Tino lifted his brows in question, and Vito shrugged. “Sophie threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t let old grudges go. So they’re gone. Come into the living room and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

Tino wanted to laugh. Sophie must have really gotten serious about kicking Vito’s ass. He was being super polite.

“I’m fine, thank you.” Charlotte followed Vito into the living room where Sophie lay on the sofa, a pile of pillows at her back.

She looked pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Tino felt a shaft of fear pierce his heart. “Soph.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. Blood pressure’s a little high.”

Vito huffed. “Preeclampsia. Mild, which is the only reason she’s here and not in the hospital.”

“I’m at thirty-six weeks. If they can get me to thirty-seven or thirty-eight, all will be well. I’m being a good girl.” She looked around Tino to Charlotte, who’d hung back. “Please come closer, Charlotte. I’ve wanted to meet you since Tino said you’d come back to Philly.”

Tino remembered his manners. “Charlotte, this is my sister-in-law, Sophie. Sophie, this is Charlotte Walsh.”

Charlotte approached, her trepidation clear. “I’m so sorry to be disturbing you.”

Sophie smiled. “You’re not. Sit, please. All of you. I’m getting a crick in my neck looking up at you.”

Tino gestured to a loveseat and Charlotte joined him there. “What do you know about the crimes on Charlotte’s street, Vito?” he asked, getting down to business. This wasn’t a social call. Not with Charlotte so tense and Sophie needing her rest.

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