CHAPTER FORTY – ANOTHER WORLD APART FROM HERS

As Joan left Fratelli's Trattoria, her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. On one hand, she felt touched by Vito's protective instinct, his willingness to go to such lengths to defend her honor. It was a display of love and loyalty that part of her found deeply romantic. But on the other hand, she was deeply disturbed by the casual way Vito had all but admitted to orchestrating a violent assault. The man who had groped her was reprehensible, yes, but did he deserve to be put in the hospital? And what about the legal implications? If this ever came to light, both Vito and Joan could be in serious trouble. As she drove home, Joan found herself questioning everything about her relationship with Vito. She had always known his family had a certain reputation, but she had convinced herself it was mostly exaggerated. Now, she was faced with the stark reality of what being part of the Fratelli family really meant. She thought back to all the times Vito had helped her