CHAPTER FORTY ONE – INTENTION OR OUTCOME

Vito ran a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. "I... I called some people. Asked them to teach him a lesson. But Joan, you have to believe me, I never intended for it to go as far as it did. I just wanted to scare him, to make sure he'd never bother you again." Joan absorbed this information, her emotions swirling. Part of her felt a grim satisfaction knowing that the man had been punished for his actions. But another part was horrified at the casual way Vito spoke about orchestrating violence. "Vito, do you understand how serious this is?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "This isn't just about teaching someone a lesson. It's assault. It's illegal." Vito moved to sit beside her, taking her hands in his. "I know, But in my world, in my family, we protect our own. No matter what." Joan pulled her hands away, standing up to pace the room. "But that's just it, Vito. This isn't your world. It's mine. I can't be involved in things like this." Vito's e