Valeria sat up as soon as she felt movement, and turned her head to find Nick's exhausted face forcing a smile.

“You have fifteen minutes,” said the detective, opening the door to let him in.

Valeria threw herself into his arms, and Nick put aside what he was carrying in his hands to hold her close. He pressed her against his chest and didn't care that he had already claimed his kiss for the week; he gave her another one, urgent and desperate, because they both needed it.

“How did they let you in?” she asked, looking at the small container of pasta Nick had brought her.

“Come, troublemaker. Eat while it's hot. I came back to Nino's just to have him make this for you,” he sat her down on the small single bed and settled down next to her.

Valeria wiped the tears running down her cheeks and tried to refuse the food, but Nick wouldn't let her.

“Love, tomorrow you're going to be out of here. But I need you to be strong; I need you to eat... You can't get sick, troublemaker! Do you und