CHAPTER 240
ROMEO POV
Nonna had already wheeled beside her. Her hand hovered at Katya's back, not touching, like she was afraid the wrong contact might shatter her.
Nonna's face usually shar but calm was pulled tight with something close to fear. "Katya, tesoro," she murmured. "Look at me. Breathe."
Katya didn't. Her shoulders jerked again, breath coming in short, broken pulls that scraped against my nerves.
Her arms were locked around herself, fingers clenched so tightly the knuckles had gone white.
"Move," I said quietly. Nonna looked up at me, surprise flickering across her features. Just for a second. Then she shifted back without argument, giving me space.
I crouched in front of Katya, lowering myself to her level. The marble was cold beneath my palm as I braced myself, grounding.
"Katya." I kept my voice even. Steady. Commanding without pressure. "Look at me."
