Italian Knights by Sharon DeVita Page B

meats. The old-fashioned cash register that sat on the waist-high counter was open and empty. The entire deli was a disaster.
    “My God!” Annie whimpered, clutching Sal’s arm. “They’ve ruined me.”
    “I want to call the station.” Sal stripped off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. “Don’t touch anything, Annie,” he ordered as she wandered around helplessly, sidestepping broken glass and puddles.
    Numb, she walked up and down the aisles, trying to understand what had happened, and why. Who could do this, but more important, why? There was a large all-night market not two blocks away. Surely they had much more to offer than a small, neighborhood deli.
    The deli had been her haven, her security, the one thing she had left after Tony died. Knowing someone had done this deliberately caused a shiver of terror to wash over her. She’d never felt so violated before.
    Annie wandered around helplessly, nearly stumbling over a picture that had been hanging on the wall behind the counter. Without thinking, she bent over and picked it up. It was a picture of her, Tony and Sal that had been taken shortly before Tony died. The glass was shattered, the frame bent.
    Unexpected tears filled her eyes and she clutched the photo to her heart. She felt so alone. And so frightened. How could someone do this to her?
    “Annie?” Sal’s voice was gentle as he pried the picture loose from her arms and set it on the counter. “I talked to the station. They’ve already been here to dust for prints. Their guess is it was an amateur, judging from the entry. But we’ll need you to take an inventory and fill out a report as to what’s missing. Do you think you can do that?” He dropped his hands to her shoulders and looked at her intently. Her face was white as a sheet, her eyes glistening with tears.
    “Sal, why?” She raised stricken eyes to his. He didn’t know who had done this, or why. But he sure as hell was going to find out. He’d only seen her look like this once, and he’d vowed then she would never look that sad, that alone, that vulnerable again. Swearing softly, he hauled her into his arms.
    Great racking sobs shook Annie’s body, and she held on to Sal tightly. Stroking her hair, Sal let her cry until her tears subsided.
    Sniffling, Annie drew back and took the handkerchief Sal offered, giving him a tremulous smile. What would she have done without him tonight? Or for the past two years? He was her knight in shining armor. Her eyes filled again and a soft cry escaped her. Sal quietly gathered her into his arms again. She was so grateful he was here by her side. She slid her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shirt.
    “Annie?” He kept his arms around her, holding her close, enjoying the warmth and comfort of her. “Do you think you’re up to taking inventory? I’ll help.”
    Nodding, Annie blinked away her tears, lifting her tearstained face to his. Looking into his eyes, she was vividly reminded of the kiss they’d shared just moments ago. His mouth had been so soft, so sweet, his arms so comforting. It seemed like a lifetime ago. She had been trying so hard not to need him, but until this moment, she’d never realized just how much she really did need him. Annie pulled out of his arms.
    “I’ll have to go home and change. I can’t take inventory until I clean this place up.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what’s here or what’s missing.” She glanced around again and shivered suddenly.
    “Come on,” Sal said, draping an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll go with you.”
    “You don’t have to do that,” she murmured, knowing she wanted nothing more than for Sal to stay with her, the closer the better. At least until this sudden attack of fear subsided.
    “I know I don’t have to,” Sal said gently, brushing her hair off her face. “But I want to. Don’t worry, we’ll have this place cleaned up in time for you to open in the morning. Let’s go get you changed