Chapter 2 - The Offer
Marco swallowed.
“I only meant she’s worked enough hours.”
“Then pay her for the extra ones.”
Rico turned back to his son.
Leo had fallen asleep against Clara’s side, one fist caught in her apron.
“My arm’s going numb,” she whispered.
“Dante can carry him.”
“No.”
Rico’s expression hardened.
Clara nodded toward the child.
“Tell him first. Even if he’s asleep.”
Rico looked at her, then leaned closer.
“Leo. Daddy’s picking you up.”
The boy stirred.
Clara kept her hand beneath his until Rico had him settled against his chest.
Leo whimpered once.
Then he slept.
Something in Rico’s face almost broke.
He covered it quickly.
“Come to my house tomorrow.”
Clara stood.
“For what?”
“To do that again.”
“He’s not a switch.”
“I didn’t say he was.”
“You’re talking like he is.”
Dante looked toward the ceiling.
Rico adjusted his sleeping son.
“What do you make here?”
“Enough that I’d like to keep making it.”
“I’ll pay you three times that.”
“No.”
He stared.
Clara picked up the empty glass.
“I’m not a therapist. I’m not a miracle. Your son trusted me for ten minutes because I gave him room.”
“Then give him room tomorrow.”
The anger had left his voice.
That made the request harder to refuse.
“One visit,” she said. “Paid. In daylight. And I leave when I decide to.”
Rico nodded.
“And don’t send anyone to investigate me.”
Dante shifted his weight.
Clara caught it.
She looked back at Rico.
“You already did?”
“A name check.”
“I handed your child milk.”
“You approached my son.”
“Then tomorrow you can decide whether you want help or control.”
She took off her apron and left him standing there.
Outside, the October air hit her hot face.
Sarah followed.
“Are you insane?”
“Possibly.”
“Marco’s furious.”
“Marco’s always furious.”
But when Clara arrived at her apartment, she found three missed calls from the restaurant.
Then a message from Marco.
Do not return for your next shift.
She stood beneath the broken hallway light and read it twice.
Before she could answer, another message appeared.
This one came from an unknown number.
Stay away from the Moretti house.
Clara stopped breathing.
May you like
A second message followed.
Some women don’t get a second warning.
