The question, a shard of accusation, ignited the fire in her chest.

“Why are you here, Rocco? Why did you defy me and barge into Newfort alone? Don’t you know I was half mad with worry when I couldn’t reach you?”

Rocco lowered his eyes.

“I… I overestimated myself.

” His voice trembled a bit.

“I thought I could find something and help you.

I did, but then… then I was taken, dragged onto this ship.

I don’t know who…” His voice trailed off, swallowed by a shuddering breath.

“I thought I’d never see you again.

Then someone paid my ransom, booked this room, told me to wait for news.

Hannah, her anger melting away like frost in the sun, held him close.

“Don’t worry,” she murmured, her voice a balm.

“When this ship touches land, you’ll be off it, and we’ll go home.

counterpoint to her promise, cut

what you promised

shot him a glacial

“Don’t worry,” she clipped.

me just

Rocco’s fingers tightened around hers, his pale face

them?” he rasped, his voice

a bad

flew to Winston,

the

“Don’t hurt Hannah.

you if

his superior height, a sneer

you’d be chum in the

rising between the

and already

thick

room itself reeked of neglect, a stark contrast to his

quarters reserved for the subordinates and

a sigh, Hannah stepped

“I’ll take

you can

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