Chapter 10: The Raise

Junie hit me at a full run, and I dropped to my knees on the marble to catch her.

"Mama!"

"I've got you."

"Mr. Castiglioni brought me to see you. He said you were here. He said you were being so brave."

I held her face in both hands.

She smelled like orange juice and a stranger's soap.

"Did anyone hurt you?" I asked.

"No. The dog got fat from cookies. I fed him a lot." She frowned. "You smell funny, Mama."

"I know, baby."

I looked up over her head.

Castiglioni stood three feet away with his hands folded, smiling.

"I thought it might be good for you to see her," he said. "A mother ought to know her child is well."

"You have a nerve."

"I have a signed document." He glanced at the mark on my neck, and his smile deepened.

"And congratulations.

"My informants did say your heat had come early."

Rafe moved half a step forward, and Castiglioni's four men shifted with him.

Every guest in the lobby had gone quiet.

A bellhop stood frozen with a luggage cart.

"Mr. Zielinski," Castiglioni said. "I'm told you've been very generous to my debtor's family."

"Let go of the girl."

"She is holding on of her own accord."

It was true.

Junie had both arms wrapped around my neck, and her chin on my shoulder.

I stood up with her on my hip and did not look back at him.

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