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

of a woman’s voice.

Footsteps came down the stairs.

Lily appeared in socks with her brown bear under one arm.

“Damen, you’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“You’re coming back, right?”

“Yes, Lily.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

She held the bear out to him.

“Take him. He keeps people safe.”

Damen took it.

The fur was matted at one ear from a thousand nights of being loved.

He tucked continue reading …