BE MY WIFE FOR ONE DANCE, THE MAFIA BOSS WHISPERED TO A SINGLE MOM AT THE WEDDING—BUT SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHO HE REALLY WAS

I didn't go home with Giovanni.

I made that very clear.

He arranged for one of his security drivers to follow my cab at a distance, but I refused to get into his vehicle. It was the only boundary I could still control.

When I reached Camilla's apartment, she opened the door before I knocked.

She pulled me inside and locked it behind me.

"Tell me everything."

I gave her the short version.

By the time I finished, she was pacing between the kitchen and the living room.

"You danced with a mafia boss?"

"Apparently."

"At Sophia's wedding?"

"Yes."

"While your ex-husband watched?"

"That part was satisfying."

Camilla stopped pacing.

"Jessica, this isn't funny."

"I know."

She glanced toward Lily's bedroom.

"She asked for you twice. I told her you were helping Aunt Sophia with something."

I went to the bedroom.

Lily was asleep with her stuffed rabbit tucked beneath her chin. Her dark curls had fallen across her forehead, and one tiny hand rested on the blanket.

I sat beside her and brushed the hair away from her face.

She was the reason I had survived the last five years.

After Tyler left, I had worked double shifts at the pediatric ward, completed online courses, and spent every spare dollar on Lily. I had once dreamed of becoming a doctor. I had even completed most of my medical training before a family emergency and financial collapse forced me to stop.

Tyler had called that failure.

But I had built a life anyway.

I would not let a dangerous stranger's enemies reach my daughter.

When I returned to the living room, Camilla was holding her phone.

"Someone sent me a photograph."

She turned the screen toward me.

It showed Lily outside her preschool two days earlier.

My blood went cold.

"Where did you get this?"

"Unknown number. No message."

I called the police.

They took the information but couldn't promise immediate protection without a direct threat. They advised us to keep Lily inside and report any suspicious activity.

After the call, I sat down.

Camilla squeezed my hand.

"Maybe you should call Giovanni."

"I don't want to owe him anything."

"Jessica, someone photographed your daughter. This is bigger than pride."

She was right.

I called the number Giovanni had given me.

He answered immediately.

"Jessica."

"Someone sent my friend a photograph of Lily outside preschool."

The silence on the other end was brief.

"Where is she now?"

"With me."

"Keep her there. I'm sending two women from my security team. They'll stay outside the apartment. No one enters without your permission."

"Why women?"

"Because you may be more comfortable with them."

I hadn't expected that answer.

"Giovanni, I don't want my daughter involved in whatever this is."

"Neither do I."

"Then help me understand why someone would target her."

His voice changed.

"Because they know she matters to you."

I closed my eyes.

"Who?"

"I believe it's Rossi."

"Who is he?"

"An old associate who betrayed my family. He disappeared after taking money and selling information to a rival group. If he's back, he may be trying to use people close to me to force a negotiation."

"But I barely know you."

"That may not matter to him."

I looked toward Lily's bedroom.

"Can you stop him?"

"I can try."

"That's not good enough."

"No," Giovanni said quietly. "It isn't."

A few minutes later, two women arrived. One introduced herself as Elena, a former police officer. The other was named Rosa, a trained security specialist.

They were polite, professional, and careful not to frighten Lily when she woke.

For the first time that night, I felt a little safer.

Then Giovanni called again.

"I need to tell you something about Tyler."

I stood.

"What about him?"

"His company has been transferring money to an account controlled by Rossi."

My stomach tightened.

"Tyler is involved?"

"I don't know how deeply."

"Then find out."

"I will."