Mateo's POV
Dante didn't answer my question about how pretty she looked when she cried, just kept staring at that empty hallway like he could will her back into existence.
His knuckles were split open and bleeding while his lip was busted and swelling, but he didn't seem to notice or care. The violence was still thrumming through him and I could see it in the tension of his shoulders and the way his jaw kept clenching.
"Come on," I said again while squeezing his shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up before Dad gets back."
He finally tore his eyes away from where she'd disappeared and followed me down the hallway toward the bathroom. We walked in silence while our footsteps echoed on the polished floors, but my mind wouldn't shut up.
She looks pretty when she cries.
I'd meant it as a jo
