quiet after Mr

rel, meet

eo stared at me, small and still, hi

l leave you two to get acquainted," he sai

aned closer and murmured, "He needs a mot

osing the door s

d and delicate. Leo fidgeted with a

Montrel, the feared mafia boss, ha

Crouching down, I tried

tly. "You've got quite

s little lips presse

d, almost accusingly,

off, guard. It wa

t another one," he added

is voice carried a loneliness

one I used at the daycare. "Oh? Yo

They always get mad at me.

on't," I tea

nsive. "It's not my fault

d. "Your

V mounted on his blue wall

ess we'll have to do a little digg

a laugh. "Well," I said softly, "g

his head snappin

head, sti

ful. "Then... are you my mama?" He whisper

rder than I expecte

But when I looked at his face, at the way he was searching f

ah," I whispered

ht to me, small arms wrapping around my wa

inst my shirt, his voice tremb

r, but his hold only tighten

resting my chin on his so

mansion, my fear faded, replaced by somethi

ien

security scr

he boy clinging to her as

me, arms folded. He w

t about her,"

decent child," I muttered, tapping my finger

"One parent's mistakes don't decide a child's

. "Enough, old man. Go check on the fath

and left

rned back t

ill there, ho

idn't want to name,

hel

front of me, waving his hands while telling an ani

owers and saved the day!" he

lapped. "That was amaz

my hand and tugged. "Come on, Mama

d. "No s

e. "Papa doesn't have to know

omach twist. I forced a light smile.

oward the door. "I don't know. B

asy. Maybe it was better that he didn't know what h

e morning light. As we walked, I noticed two men in suits a few paces behind us. Their

head, giggling, until we reached a mass

this!" he s

One of the guards caught him easily, lifting him into th

of them said, shaking

. "Boss doesn't appreciate the kid

d quickly, nerves tightening in my chest as I lo

east

e place they w

ting. "They always say that, Mama. Pa

gently took his hand. His fingers were s

e more at the massive iron doors. The guards' eyes

chill ran

in there that even a chi

my thoughts. "Mama," he said sof

e unease aside. "Of