The Stage Is Set

I could not take another minute of Veronica's game, so I casually got up and left. I guess the stage is set. I have just pissed off the very first two of Joseph's men.

It is early morning in the Antoni house. My princess is sleeping, and only Mason can be found in the kitchen. The boys went out last night to enjoy what will be one of the very rare evenings that they will in a while.

Now, if I said to you that this does not lie heavy on my shoulders, then that would be a blatant lie. I have a handful, rather make that two, perhaps even more, but I have a shitload of lives on my hand that I need to protect.

The one that concerns me the most is lying upstairs peacefully sleeping.

Mason, who has been staring at me, daydreaming for about a minute now, hands me a cup of warm coffee, "It is good to have her back, really back."

"God, Mason, I just hope she stays."