A HEART IN THE MAFIA GRIP

you say if you were here? Probably somet

s the aroma of flour and sugar welcomed me like a familiar companion. It was sere

aint aroma of cinnamon hanging in the air, and the glass display case that had experienc

s on its regular hook. The cloth was gentle from years o

voice cheerful as she hummed along

r proud today,

asuring flour and sugar, cracking eggs, and kneading the blend into soft, flexib

ice echoed in my memory. "Ba

ly, the memory

tray of croissants inside and turned to prepare another. The heat from

second batch to proof, the

ia!

e you doing he

against her dark coat. She leaned on the count

ere, as usual." She reached over and snat

ble," I said, s

. "By the way, I heard something

rolling out dou

in town. Sounded like it was happening soon. I

y. "Of course not. Who'd

s charming. I mean, you've practically turned it into a landm

ught. "It's probably some other bakery. W

d. I tried to overlook it, focusing instead

he golden-brown croissants. I was busy organizing the

viduals walked in, their orange safety vests shining in the morning light. One of t

u?" I asked, s

ned the room before finally tur

I said, my br

something down. "We're here

. "Excu

marked casually, as though he hadn't

ed agonizingly

bly be true." "You'

g a folded sheet of paper. "We're o

er. The phrases merged into one another, yet a single name

as I lowered the document. "This is m

rupted, tucking his clipboard under his

n't simply burst in here and begin tossing things away. "I don't

an stated, his tone rough. "You have until the d

fear boiling in my chest. "I'm staying

his type of opposition. "Speak to the new owner," he

ked away, letting the door

asp crumpled as I held it firmly. Hudson Industries. Even in a little town like ours, tha

ce wan. "Kaia, what in the

re," I repl

nd for the paper, b

ke softly. "Wha

ping in. "I cannot afford to lose this spot, Lil

," she stated confident

y is, he doesn't get to

mething in me. I didn't know who Hudson w

voice steadying

and made my w

going?" Lila ca

ng the door open. "And to make sure they und

of worry and resolve stirring in my heart. I was unaware of what I wa