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

Like the dads in books who go away?”

“No,” Damen said. “I am not going to leave.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

She stood, walked two steps to him, and put her arms around his neck.

She did not shout.

She did not cry.

She just held on.

Clara came down onto her knees in the grass beside them.

After a minute, Lily whispered against his shoulder, “But I am not going continue reading …