A HEART IN THE MAFIA GRIP

to take the bakery?" Lila's voice pierced the fog of my

oing over every word Leonardo Hudson had spoken to me. *I

ming her coffee mug onto t

just roll over and let them destroy everything my mom built? Or maybe I should tha

er elbows on the counter. "I know you're frus

to fight

have money for lawyers, and apparently, I don't e

"We start by figuring out who this Hudson guy really is.

rs flew over the scree

ults. "Let's consider... CEO of Hudson Enterprises, valued

There he stood, in a shiny picture, in front of a tall building that had his name. His

one back to her. "Because who else would think they can ju

minate her eyes. "Greetings to the

hought about him, the more annoyed I grew. How can someone so influential and a

, her tone shifting. "Ther

round. "

just finished a massive redevelopment project a few blocks from here. They turned some

y arms. "He's just collecting b

ll glued to the screen. "Or maybe your

wasn't just about my bakery-it was about pow

e door jingled. Both of us turned to see an elderly

smile. He had frequented the bakery for years, con

arned... about what's going on." Is that a

rt. I didn't wish to deceive him, yet I coul

I declared at last, attempting to proj

n unreadable. "You're a strong

my mom made my

stated, my voice just above a murmur. "I am not concerned about his p

d, her voice resolute. "We can't simp

-

that e

ortly after Lila left he s

p this nonsense

s gone and i

voice shaking. "What.

gaze moving anxiously. A slight hint of guilt appeared on h

t understand, Kaia. I've been in debt for years. I've tried to make

it? My bakery? You sold everything? For

It's not just about the bakery, Kaia. It's about survival. I didn't have a choice

could have told me! You could have asked me for help! But you went behind my b

y." I simply had to resolve issues before they escalated. You constantly believ

ithin my ribcage. I was no lon

voice cracked on the name, the man's face I cou

. What deal did you

ife, I saw the truth in his eyes. He wasn't the br

," he said quietly. "It's

an I meant it to be. "Why didn't you *ask* me for help,

wasn't that simple, Kaia. You don't know what it's li

why you sold *this*-" I waved my arms around, motioning to the bakery, to the life my mother had bu

tood there-numb. A part of me died in that moment, knowing I c

ing anything. I jus