ella

he JFK Customs Hall buzzed

wait," the uniformed customs officer

ng orders. This wasn't a glitch. It was a *Don's Command*. Damien's men had found us

year-old Alessandro stood with eerie stillness. He pushed his glasses up his nose and casually ra

-" I started

the hall. Behind the glass counter, the officer's monitor flickered violently. The blue screen was instantly swallowed by a glowi

os and the digital ghost of his boss's crest. Instinct took ove

s as travelers began to scatter. I leaned down, my lips br

rt nod, his dark

of exhausted travelers and waiting families. "Kee

children's veins was ancient, v

ng at my coat. "Mama," she murmured, he

ne. He didn't run away from the danger; he was drawn to it. He darted toward a

Marco

inside the bin. Thick, acrid smoke and a burst of orange sparks shot in

ack against my side. "We are mice!" I hissed, my heart hammering against my ribs

bborn, sharp line that mirrored the man I was r

irectly into the center of the hall, righ

a San

a pile of designer luggage, performing a theatrical display of

Her beloved, worn teddy bear slipped from her grasp, lan

side with a vicious flick of her ankle. "Watch where you're going, you little gutter rat,"

ed to a single,

st just inches from Chiara's shoulder. I twisted, locking her arm into a brut

s buckling as the agonizi

dy to draw blood. Beside him, Alex calmly tapped his watch. A second later, the digital lenses of th

d, tear-filled eyes. My voice was a venomous, icy

ouch. My.