"Just one last thing to do,tesoro."
 
 Honestly, I'm starting to feel disappointed about how insensitive he's being. Couldn't we have breakfast before coming here? It's not like—-OH SHIT.
 
 A nurse with a blood extraction kit enters the laboratory, and I start feeling a little faint as she takes the seat across mine.
 
 "Un momento, signorina," she says with a smile. "I just need to take a sample of your blood."
 
 Something flashes in the air, and I feel even fainter as I watch her insert a really,reallylong needle into a syringe.
 
 I remember Cesare andLa Stregadiscussing the need to have a doctor see me over last night's dinner, and I also remember telling them how I was fine with that as long as it didn't involve someone poking me with a needle.
 
 I remember Cesare not saying a word, and idiot that I am, I had thought his silence signified his agreement.
 
 But obviously that's not the case, and since Cesare is notLa Strega'sgrandson for nothing—-
 
 Shit, shit, shit!
 
 No freaking wonder he's delayed us having breakfast. Blood tests typically require individuals to fast a certain number of hours, and when the nurse reaches for my arm to tie a tourniquet around it—-
 
 Oh no, you don't!
 
 The hemophobic wimp in me freaks out, and all hell breaks loose.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chapter Nine
 
 Cesare
 
 MASSIMO:È vero? It took three men to keep her still?
 
 Cesare:Sì.
 
 Massimo:And that she managed to give one of them a shiner?
 
 Cesare:Also true.
 
 Massimo:I do not know whether to think you are lucky or unlucky.