A HEART IN THE MAFIA GRIP

in my grip overpowering every other noise. My thoughts surged

ble?" I murmured q

his cologne remaining in the atmosphere. The bakery, my mother's jo

a burst in, her expression a

ing to the wrinkled paper I held. I passed it to her quie

he page, and her expression dark

an, *finalized sale*? You

ed, my voice cracking. "But a

onto the counter and cr

ard. "Hudson

quiet. Suddenly, as if jolted by an electric sho

?" I asked, still struggli

vist in this town. There's no way this is legal

door jingled again,

eople wearing orange safety vests and helmets. They walked in as though th

ect?" I said, pro

ld tightly, looked at me with a blank expression. "W

ed to beat. "

ly. "We've been told to gather anything r

to a near shout. "You can'

ngs to Hudson Enterprises. We

e face. My bakery wasn't just a propert

haking with fury. "This bakery isn't going anywhere.

ssed. "Miss, I suggest you step aside. Thi

my feet firmly on the ground. "And you're

-

recorded," she said, her voice cold and steady. "So unless y

e camera. "Look, we're just doing our job. You'll

pounding in my ears. "W

d luck getting past security. Mr. Hudson do

n on my tongue. I tightened my fists,

will handle m

ently discussing whether to proceed. Lila and I held

sertively. "And if you don't want the pol

holding the clipboard dismissed him. "We'll retu

" I retorted. "Since I'

e door shut behind them, I finally exhal

udson Enterprises?" They are merciless. "If they desire th

y tone calm even with the chaos within me. "This bakery b

aware of the turmoil poised to ruin all that I had created. Lila remaine

secured the door and rested aga

s the

a hollow laugh escape my lips.

hing fast," she said. "Because those g

ad to be a way to stop this. I ju

-

the feeling of the walls closing in around me. The recollections o

ing my fingers over the faded ink. "Mom," I murmured, tears

creak, and I noticed the sound of footsteps coming clos

Kaia Do

suit, with a chilling, analytical gaze in his eyes. His hair was deep-colored, we

d. I wasn't feeling up to more surprises. He

son. We are here to talk about the property's transi

ouldn't fully identify it. Victor Grant. It appeared to be yet anoth

I replied, my tone stern. "This location

ed any warmth. "I believe you'll see th

. "What do you mean?" I insisted, my voice

is complete." There's no further discussion needed. We only need to ensure th

ed, nearly begging, even though I wa

. "I believe you will discover that Mr. Hudson is capable of doi

swiftly as he had come, Victor moved to depart, his last words hanging in the atmosphere like a cau

e bakery, uncertain about what would happen next-other than the sense tha

complete." There is nothing else to talk about. We simply have to ensure tha

remarked, nearly begging, even though I

. "I believe you'll discover that Mr. Hudson is capable of do

s suddenly as he had come, Victor turned to depart, his last words hanging in the atmosphere like a c

f the bakery, uncertain of what lay ahead-except for the sense tha

s complete." There is no further discussion needed. We simply have to ensure

s,' even though I wasn't cert

t. "I believe you'll discover that Mr. Hudson is able to do

swiftly as he had shown up, Victor pivoted to go, his last words hanging in the atmosphere like a cau

the bakery, uncertain of what would happen next-only with the sense