Chapter 2 - A Change in Plans
One of the men behind Michael coughed into his fist.
Michael slowly turned his head.
The man became very interested in a shelf of canned tomatoes.
I should have been terrified. Michael Moretti had a reputation that traveled ahead of him. Even people like me, people who spent most of their lives worrying about rent instead of powerful men, had heard the stories. His family owned restaurants, shipping companies, construction firms, and half a dozen buildings across Brooklyn. Rumor supplied everything else.
But the man standing in the storage room did not look amused by his reputation.
He looked exhausted.
And when his gaze returned to Zach, something in his face changed.
Not softer exactly.
More human.
“You ran three blocks through Brooklyn in superhero pajamas,” Michael said.
“I had my coat.”
“That is not the part of the sentence you should be proud of.”
“I found Aurora.”
“So I see.”
Zach tightened his hand around mine.
“She needs help.”
Michael’s attention settled on my split lip.
I instinctively turned my face away.
That was when Regina appeared behind him.
Her expression changed the instant she recognized him.
“Mr. Moretti.”
The anger drained from her voice so quickly that it might never have existed.
Michael did not turn around.
“Do you know this woman?” he asked me.
My throat tightened.
“Yes.”
“Family?”
“My stepmother.”
Regina rushed forward with a smile I had seen a thousand times whenever she needed something.
“There’s been a misunderstanding. Aurora is upset. She has always been emotional, especially since her father passed. I was only trying to bring her home.”
“I don’t have a home with you,” I said.
Regina’s smile remained fixed.
“Aurora.”
One word.
A warning disguised as affection.
Michael heard it too.
He looked at me.
“Do you want to leave with her?”
“No.”
It was the clearest answer I had given anyone in months.
Michael nodded once.
“Then you’re not leaving with her.”
Regina stared at him. “This is a private family matter.”
“Apparently not anymore.”
“I have responsibilities concerning my stepdaughter.”
“I’m twenty-six,” I said.
Zach whispered beside me, “That’s really old.”
Despite everything, I nearly laughed.
Michael glanced down at him.
“Helpful, Zach.”
“You’re older.”
“More helpful.”
Regina’s patience snapped.
“She owes money.”
I stared at her.
“I don’t owe anyone anything.”
“Your family does.”
“My father is dead.”
“And he left debts.”
Michael finally turned toward her.
“What debts?”
Regina hesitated.
That hesitation told me more than her answer.
“Personal ones.”
“To whom?”
“That doesn’t concern you.”
Michael’s expression remained almost politely neutral.
“Then I suppose Aurora doesn’t concern you either.”
For the first time, Regina looked uncertain.
She glanced toward the front of the restaurant, where Tony’s men were supposedly waiting. Then she lowered her voice.
“You don’t understand what you’re getting involved in.”
Michael’s eyes cooled.
“I understand a twenty-six-year-old woman said she does not wish to go with you.”
Nothing about his tone was loud. Nothing was threatening.
It did not need to be.
Regina looked at me instead.
“This isn’t over.”
Michael answered before I could.
“No. It probably isn’t. Which is why any further conversation should happen through attorneys.”
Attorneys.
The word struck me almost absurdly.
People like me did not have attorneys.
May you like
We had overdue notices, borrowed money, favors, excuses, and numbers blocked on our phones.
Regina stared at him another moment, then turned and walked away.
