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

did not speak.

When he opened his eyes, his voice was lower than usual.

Almost rough.

“Thank you for keeping her. For not—”

“I couldn’t,” Clara cut in. “Even when, for one bad week, I thought about it.”

A long silence followed.

Then Damen stood and walked to the window.

“Clara, I am stepping out of the family. Twelve months. The transition is already underway.continue reading …