Ortensia knew she had to intervene, "It's just a compliment, Vito," she said, then walked up to him. She reached for the hand he held the gun with and gently pushed it down. His fingers were still tight around the trigger, his jaw clenched like he was seconds away from pulling it.
"Let's go… come on," she said again, her voice soft steadily. Vito didn't say anything right away, he just stared at the man who had dared to admire Ortensia out loud. The glare he gave him wasn't loud, It was the kind that echoed in silence. A warning, plain and clear… next time, he wouldn't just stare.
Then he turned to Ortensia. "Ladies first," he said, his voice back to that low smoothness she had gotten used to. She gave him a smile, like she hadn't been terrified just minutes ago. Like she hadn't th
