is surprisi

table, I hold this illegitimate child ag

d protection medallion rests against her pale skin. It f

etal rim, and a sharp, acid

at metal; I recognize the exact

weler in cash. After I lost them, I placed it in my son Leo's room as a sacred protective c

he medallion over. The name Sien

the table, settling into

leeping infant wit

she whispers softly. "

e gold medallion. "He specially cus

tentedly, a portrai

pped traveling for business this past year. He use

nto place with a s

lie. He had used the sacred law of Omertà as a cloak to lea

ith a cry, but with a small sigh,

s and offers an

e longer?" she asks. "I need to go to th

found numbness cree

wall. It reads in huge, glittering gold letters: Celebrating the

g with Silas to throw a banquet for our lawful son, Leo. He had refused, insist

one inside my purse pu

ee a text message f

a two-thousand-dollar tribute to a di

screen, my fingers feeling thick a

She calls me cold, informing me that I lack the

e rings on the table.

hand moves of its own accord; I tap t

speaker, warm and affectionate,

he baby?" he asks smoothly. "She spent hours yesterday at t

visceral nause

ul son's sacred protection medallion. She had lifted Leo's gold

kground of the call, a sickeningly sweet c

he older woman says. "Thank you for fina

yal can settle, the heavy oak doors at the