Chapter 4 - The Heavy Footsteps
Dominic’s intense, dark gaze returned to my little girl holding the crumpled bus ticket.
"And find out why that child believes she doesn't deserve a pair of Christmas shoes," Dominic ordered his men quietly.
I was completely oblivious to their conversation. I was still holding Rosie’s hand, quickly walking away toward the massive holiday ornament display in the center of the store, eager to escape the intimidating men in black suits.
We were just admiring a large glass snowflake when I heard the unmistakable sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps approaching directly behind us.
The cinematic tension instantly spiked. I turned around.
Standing right there was the towering stranger, Dominic Moretti. His two bodyguards had fanned out slightly, creating a subtle but impenetrable perimeter around us, blocking the other wealthy shoppers from getting too close.
"Excuse me, ma'am," Dominic said, his deep voice commanding the entire space. "We need to talk."
I instinctively stepped in front of Rosie, my heart hammering violently against my ribs. "I already apologized for bumping into you, sir. We were just leaving."
"You have nothing to apologize for," Dominic replied, his voice suddenly dropping its lethal edge, replacing it with a strange, intense respect. He looked down at Rosie. "May I see your drawing, little one?"
Rosie, completely trusting, held out the crumpled bus ticket.
Dominic took the ticket with his large, tattooed hands. He looked at the careful, meticulous sketch of the thirty-eight-dollar red shoes. Then, he looked at the back of the ticket, noting the expired date from a dangerous, low-income neighborhood.
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"You're an excellent artist," Dominic told Rosie. He looked back up at me. "Why didn't you buy them for her?"
👉 I was terrified to answer, but my desperate confession was about to unleash the mafia boss's fury on my past.
