o

after school. I wiped the counter again to calm my nerves. If I didn't see him

as he walked in, but then I noticed his reluctant steps and

he refused to even lo

ry tray, and complain about homework. Today he walked straigh

he just kept walking. "Lu

turn immediately. When he finall

ha

his cheek, stepping around the cou

happ

thi

fingerprints

toward the door like he expe

ripp

omeone'

his eyes.

ouched

le

my brother. He touched my family. L

two guys,"

he

They stopped me w

id they

ell you to answ

ightened a

you?" I asked

act with his skin. I would never forgive Dante for touching my brother. We

ey do?" I as

" he said. "One grabbed

d y

they said the clock was ticking. N

tled in the r

er a moment. Luca shifted his weight,

tell Mom, right?" he

won

oo

t from the tray without

gesture made somethin

ng," he said around the mouth

wor

airs," I

e home

t ups

my face f

ing that t

t th

you look like you're

m n

and for a few seconds I stood perfectly still. Two men outside a school. Not sloppy. Not violent. Ju

same unknown number from earlier. I stare

e leather folder sat inside the drawer where I'

y the bakery like this from time to time so we could go home together

the paper before I coul

ne ran

ic

a c

reet

t on the

o my brother's

u to call." Dante spoke, and I saw re

id thre

is ticking. I'm not a

ched my brother or anyone in my fa

ldn't keep his end of the deal and now you've been dragged in. F

ing serious

It worked. You called. Sofia, you don't have a choice. Give yo

the bakery and looked out at the

sing a fourte

that time moves whe

t a part

the moment your father

ned hot i

et to involv

t for you

my voic

problem, you

, I

ade everyt

is going to ma

ity eventuall

tretched

a living hell since you

tfull

approached

ve so you understand t

gain. I will do everything it takes to p

an wipe your entire family out this very second if I wanted

ed around the e

we both know if you do that, I'

He was slowly losing his patience but I wa

great Dante spee

came with

push m

said. "You come near m

t. "You're angry," he continued

atened my

"I reminded y

ence felt

il the deadli

I don'

the answer

st fel

m my brother,"

her

ke, quieter

amily i

ait

r n