"No, Raymond, no!" Salvatore cried, his expression changing instantly. He stood in front of Victoria and the children, determined to shield them with his body if necessary.

"No what, Mancini?" Raymond retorted cynically.

"They have nothing to do with this. Take me. I take full responsibility."

Victoria managed to break free from the police officer and tightly hugged Salvatore's waist. "Don't do it, please!"

He gently took her arms and kissed her hands, looking at her with desperate love. "I'm going to be fine. Just do as we agreed! Leave!" he whispered, then softly kissed her forehead.

Then he knelt in front of his children. They looked at him, not...