Sold to the Mafia king
Italian without trying too hard.
When I finished, I stepped back. He approached the counter, inspected the spread.
For a moment, I braced myself.
Then he nodded once.
“You learn quickly,” he said. After a beat, quieter, “Disobedience aside.”
Our eyes met. Something unreadable passed between us.
“You will serve,” he added. “You’ll speak only if spoken to. You’ll keep your eyes down.”
“Yes.”
“And Lina.”
I froze with the tray half-lifted. I looked at him.