The Broken Artist's Spectacular Mafia Comeback

nna

Maria standing in the hall

open th

bakery box, her hands unsteady. Her eyes are red-rimmed, a

bring this to you," Ma

box and l

o mousse cak

is a cruel jest I am n

had used peanut oil, and he'd spent an hour on the phone with poison control to make sure it wasn't cross-c

He simply does not care

n across her face. She knows. She has always known. But she is an empl

I say. "You may re

hispers, using my married name for

hurries away down

the small table by t

has begun to weep, tiny beads of orange liquid pooling

oak door of my room swings open

used his syndicate clear

rling in disgust. "This is beneath you," h

he asks. "Come home, Sie

o the unt

f mango, Victor. I hav

ical sound, and runs a h

handles such errands. She has a severe mango allergy, so I thou

t. He knew she was allergic. He protect

bric of my sleeves a t

d what she could not consume

r-that half-second of recognition before he buries it. He k

," he says. "She is a

he screenshot Maria sent, and

-free takeout for Gia last week?"

does no

defensive. "As her Capo, it is my duty to be aware of

g the silence to thicke

our duty as a

es, the composu

rd me, his shadow fa

ave played the part of the sheltered mafia wife for so long you are discon

woman he protects from mangoes sits in his office drinking the coffee he knows she

s, my nails digging int

eding in a damp basement, I abandoned my art to nurse you. I built the encryption codes you use today. Ever

to check their loyalties, too arrogant to see the betrayal coming. I taught you how to read people. I built the systems that made

s skin. His eyes flicker to my hands, then away. H

rs ago," he snaps.

say. "And the man I made you int

as your conscience," I te

e closet and retr

I say. "I am moving to Rosa's sa

past him, my shoul

to stop me, his

the elevator to the lobby, and

es my face, a shock

curb, waiting f

buzzes in

text fro

ke a few days. Stop this madness an

ermission, a foul tas

door closed on my former life. As the engine roars to life, I press my palm flat against the cold window and make a s

, I will use