Scarlet Vows: Trapped in the Mafia's Embrace

head all night. As morning light filtered through her curtains, she

ways texted he

ncakes drifted up the stairs. Alessia pulled on h

te Alessia's sleepless night. Her blonde curls

ipping expensive coffee from Mama's best m

t of Alessia. "Eat up! Big day today. T

midair. "I didn't real

"I told them about my brilliant b

ssia corrected. "I w

vely. "Whatever. What matters is

ike cardboard in Alessia's mou

miled, checking her glossy red nai

Your sister is

Alessia's spine. She pushed

ed, standing up. "I have papers to finish

hed with interest. "

s.

d Alessia of a cat who spotted a mous

ng with neat stacks of receipts from her part-time job. Mr. Collins, the elderly booksto

Luca again. Stra

rk would distract her from the wei

Mr. Collins. As she stretched, she noticed Isabella's red car pulling away fro

her door ma

ou seen the pearl earrings your grandmothe

check your

And they're missing. Along

ed. "That's weird. When

Mama's eyes widened. "Not t

"borrowed" things before. Alessi

ed from downstairs. "Alessia

ead, two police officers stood in the entryway.

?" the female

ia's voice c

er Gomez. We need to ask you som

Starlight Bank? I

rding to our records, you've been han

I work at Collins Bo

"There must be some

documents with Ms. Rossi's signature tra

ia gasped. "That'

search your home offic

ing. "Search it then! You won't find a

tairs. Mama and Papa trailed

mez checked Alessia's laptop. She stood by the do

a folder from her bottom drawe

?" The offic

ms, and notes-all with Alessia's signatur

" she cried. "Someo

"There are deleted emails here to offshore

s filled Alessia's eyes. "S

lla asking about her office. Isab

ed. "Check when those em

p. "Most were sent when you were alone

ned. "Alessia, wh

a, you have t

eyes. Mama was crying

for questioning," Officer Gomez sa

He's a lawyer. He'll expl

ded reluctantly.

sia dialed Luca's number

e. They think I stole money from a bank I

end. Then, "I saw t

turned to

his morning. Bank statements, tr

ice cracked. "Luca, she

police called the law firm. They have vide

s impo

a thief, Alessia. My

her face. "You can't

t it there this morning while you w

ssia stood frozen, phon

forward. "Ms. Rossi

downstairs. Papa wouldn't look at h

Alessia whispered.

. Isabella rushed in, eye

g? Alessia, why

lained briefly ab

mouth in shock. "Oh no! My

shocked expression melted into a smirk. Sh

for Alessia to hear. "Luca was so upset w

ard her sister. "Y

arms. "Ms. Rossi, please

Isabella said loudly. "Don't

that should have been beautiful. Christmas lights twinkled on houses

the front porch. She saw Mama hand Isabella something small and spar

Alessia pressed her hand against the cold

her perf

d bench, Christmas carols drifting faintly from the polic

ger where the diamond ri

" she whispered

red. No one

inutes away-Alessia made a promise to herself,

is. And someday, I