THE LITTLE GIRL ASKED TO SIT WITH A STRANGER—BUT HER MOTHER NEVER EXPECTED THE MAFIA BOSS TO RECOGNIZE HER FACE

She had read enough to know what family meant in that world.

If someone was watching her, it might not be him.

At lunch, she called Lily’s school.

“Only I pick her up,” she said. “Not anyone who says they’re a relative. Only me. In person.”

After her shift, Clara took the long way to school.

Three mirror checks.

Nothing.

But the unease stayed with her.

A block continue reading …