Page 41 of The White Picket Fence

“He screams at night,” Gino said quietly. “Nightmares. That’s when he sleeps. Sometimes I swear he doesn’t sleep for days. Yet he still goes wherever the victims are, whenever you or anyone else asks. Don’t tell him no, Vito. Let him go. He doesn’t ask for much.”

Charlotte hadn’t considered the toll Tino’s work might take on him emotionally, but it wasn’t really a surprise. She’d sensed a heaviness to his spirit when they’d first seen each other in Dottie’s hospital room and again when he’d worked with Kayla, walking her through what had been the worst experience of her young life. That had to weigh him down.

Vito sighed again. “You guys are ganging up on me.”

“Yes,” Gino said. “We are.”

Vito rolled his eyes. “You can go. But not you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte shuddered in relief. “That’s okay. I don’t want to go.”

“Someone has common sense,” Vito muttered. “I don’t know what you’re expecting to hear or learn, Tino. The cellmate might not know anything. He might clam up or ask for considerations I’m not willing—or able—to provide. The DA’s not going to want to deal with this guy. He’s in for murder.”

“I don’t know either,” Tino said. “But I know I need to be there. Thank you.”

“Don’t make me regret it. I’ll leave as soon as I get the kids off to school. Tomorrow’s going to be the last day I have to juggle. Tess is flying in tomorrow to stay with us until the baby comes. She’s bringing the twins, so Dad is coming over during the day to babysit. My house is going to be Grand Central for the next few weeks, assuming Sophie makes it to forty weeks. I’m hoping for the full four weeks of craziness.”

“I can help, too,” Charlotte offered. “When I’m not with Aunt Dottie at the hospital, I can run errands.”

Vito’s smile was a little too sharp. “Thank you, but you’re going to a safe house.”

Charlotte shook her head. “I can’t. Dottie needs me.”

“Your aunt needs youalive,” Vito insisted.

“We’ll stay with her,” Gino offered unexpectedly. “Tino mostly, but I can stay when he’s off to the prison tomorrow.” He grinned at Tino. “So many people thought you’d eventually do time. Now you will.”

Tino laughed. “Fuck off, asshole.” He sobered. “And thank you.”

Charlotte wanted to deny that she needed a full-time babysitter, but she was no fool. Not anymore. “Yes, Gino. Thank you.”

* * *

Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thursday, March 31, 1:20 a.m.

“Can I get you anything?”Tino asked, standing in his bedroom doorway.

Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, looking so lost. She lifted her eyes to his and his heart hurt at the misery she carried.

“No,” she said quietly. “You’ve given me a safe place to sleep. That’s all I can ask for.”

He took a step forward, then stopped himself. She needed space to process. He got that. But he didn’t want to give her space. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight. Wanted her to feel the beat of his heart.

Wanted her to know that he cared.

A lot.

She swallowed. “You don’t have to stay. I know you’re tired, too.”

There was a wistfulness in her tone.

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked, unable to keep his voice smooth and neutral. The words had come out husky and full of emotion.

Because he wanted to stay. Wanted to hold her every bit as much for himself as for her. He wanted to feel the beat of her heart, too.

“Would that be okay? I’m not expecting anything, Tino. I promise.”

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