Sold to the Don: The Pawn Who Became Queen

la'

by threatening a seventy year old

hands," I say as gently as possible while sliding

ersonally offended his entire

norts. "Then why do

oss says customers do not like when staff seem rude. Meanwhile the customer is curr

you a fresh

random muffin he already smudged. "And I wa

I do. I survive by staying small and quiet. I reach for

be two ni

ay being soft. I am twenty two but people often assume I am younger.

ns close. "If he comes back tomorrow, I

out regular cust

tch

ll. The display cases hum. The espresso machine spits and hisses. The bell over the door rings nonsto

I have been working doubles for three months. My feet hurt. My fingers cramp. I

ak to get out of bed. The bills stack on our kitchen counter until I

"Girl. Your phone

d calls from Clara. One me

back: I a

: Then hurry up. Dad i

ea

t g

d breathe through the

h the rush. I spill only one coffee, which

low. Restaurant signs glow. Someone shouts across the street. Chicago feels heavy at night. Cold ev

a thicker one. I should buy a lot of things. Instead, I keep giving every

and worn out. A cracked walkway. A porch light that flickers. A front

ep in, I know s

ks. Mostly both. I round the corner and see him leaning over the coffee table, red faced, sw

crolling her phone like t

ed, too sick to walk d

with glassy eyes

I say softly. "Is e

oward me. They scatter

hem. "Do you need he

to me like

t mean it

" he snaps. "You always

d better. I barely act anyt

hat hap

he couch shakes. "Y

x w

efore I even fin

ve. I do not cry. I stare at the wall behin

he says. "And you will do what

t saying that out loud would only make

ing her. She will do it." She turns to me with a fake

If it will help Elena

hs. "Goo

el s

is happening?" I ask, my v

ly, returning to her phone. "Dad

la

s. "That is what you are good at

ore than the slap

light flickers again-I have been meaning to c

nd strained. Even then, sh

ven sick, even dying, she looks at me with that familiar mix of resentment and contem

ter," I say, hold

offends her. "Clara

a was

serves to enjoy her life. You are ol

der than Clara. But I h

y gaze. "

d. Then she looks at me with something that might be sa

s. "What mistak

find out tomorrow. But know this, Isabell

The same threat h

y like I am a servant. "You look exh

r. As I walk away, I hear he

ollow me do

d in piles because my dresser broke last year and no one bothered to help me replace it. There is a wate

he tears come. Just a few. Quiet and f

hat mistake could be so

his will only make me tired at work tomorrow. I stare at the ceiling and w

hat I tel

m w

I hea

ca

ne. Slows to a st

my heart already

whispers, and for the first time all day, she s

ill half-drunk, fumbling with hi

dlights spill through the

der the streetlight. It looks like it costs more than our house. It's a sleek black car, shiny and expensiv

he front door. heavy raps on the door, the

the wood, calm and cold. "Fed

he color drains from his face s

ep b

arm. "Bella. Wh

ng. I work, I come home, I take care of p

am the problem. Like so

this time. The door

ance, Fe

lara grips the banister with white knuckles.

at me. His eyes are wild des

e whispers. "

drops to

ha

his is for you. The