THE DON’S BRAND

He Called Me… Little Bird

The Lady Section

The mall was too bright. Too loud.

Mrs. Selena Hart walked two steps ahead, heels clicking on the marble. Shopping bags already in one hand.

Mom... we've already picked more than enough... Emilia complained as her mom kept picking more dresses.

" Nah, we barely picked ten dresses. We need more. Ladylike. You noticed all your dresses were at your hemlines, Emilia." Mrs. Selena said.

Emilia dragged behind her, flipping through a rack in the lady section. Creams, navy, pastels. Long sleeves. Midi's. Nothing with a slit.

" Mom, we had enough now." Emilia muttered under her breath.

" Young lady... Enough is when your father stops asking why you look like you're going to a club to buy groceries." She didn't even look back, just disappeared deeper into the racks.

Emilia sighed and reached for another dress when—

" Selena Hart?"

A voice from the reception desk.

Mrs. Selena turned instantly, smile snapping on.

" Laura? Oh my goodness!" She said.

At the desk was Mrs. Laura Vance. Country club. Charity boards. The kind of woman who knew everyone's business.

" oh she must be Emilia,right?" Mrs. Laura said looking last Selena.

Mrs. Selena's hand instantly went to Emilia's back.

Proud. Possessive.

" Yeah this is her. My Emilia." Mrs. Selena was all smiles as she answered Mrs. Laura.

Mrs. Laura's eyes swept on her for awhile. Before__

I've heard a lot about her, she's really a beauty and brain, she even won the writing awards... I mean all in Northbridge.

Emilia faked-smiled. Nodded. " Nice to meet you, Mrs. Vance."

She could feel her mom's fingers press slightly into her back. Behave.

They did the whole dance. Weather. Fundraisers. " you must bring her to the gala."

When it was finally over, Emilia exhaled.

She was walking back toward the racks, still talking to her mom, not watching where she was going__

Thud.

She collided with someone. Hard.

A strong hand caught her waist before she could hit the floor.

Her eyes flew up.

Him.

Leonardo Moretti.

Same black coat from Salvatore's. Same sharp jaw. Same blank, dangerous eyes.

He wasn't smiling. He was just... looking. At her.

His hand was still in her waist. Steadying her.

Mrs. Selena was there in a second.

" oh! I'm so sorry. Emilia, Apologize at once." Mrs. Selena commanded.

Her voice was polite. But Emilia saw it. Her mother's heart was beating fast. Her smile was too tight.

Emilia was quiet, mortified " I'm sorry. I wasn't looking."

Leonardo didn't move his hand right away. He looked at Emilia first. Really looked. Like he was cataloging her in the new dress, hair down, no makeup.

Then he looked at Mrs. Selena.

" Mrs. Hart." His voice was smooth. Too smooth.

You have a really pretty princess, why haven't I seen her?"

That weird smile. The one from last night, but colder.

Mrs. Selena jumped in too quickly " she's been in school. She just recently came back."

Leonardo's gaze flickered back to Emilia. Had it for one second too long.

Then he leaned in, just enough that only Emilia could hear.

Leonardo's voice came low " Nice seeing you again, little bird."

Emilia's breath caught. Her face went hot and cold at the same time.

And then he was gone. Walking away like he hadn't stopped her heart.

Mrs. Selena didn't say anything for three whole seconds. Then: " we're going home. Now."

She grabbed Emilia's arm, not rough, but urgent.

In the car, no one spoke.

Mrs. Selena's knuckles were white on the wheel.

Emilia stared out of the window, her pulse still racing.

Little bird.

Why did he called her that?

Why does he seems scary?

Why was her mother terrified?

She was still deep in thought when they got home.

Selena Hart damn crashed into the gate. Her head was everywhere.

How the f**k Leonardo-fuckin-Moretti knows my lad? Of all people... my Emilia.

Ain't no way. She'd die before she let her daughter near that mess. And Leonardo? He wouldn't either.

She didn't even peep Emilia staring at her from the passenger seat, all wide-eyed.

They get in the house.

" Room, Now. I'll be up in a minute," Selena snapped.

Emilia started to talk back, saw her mama's face, and booked it upstairs.

Selena didn't waste no time. Straight to the study.

Marco.

Right where she knew he'd be. Laptop open, tie loose, looking stressed already.

His eyes shot up soon as she walked in.

" we are in trouble," she said, already pacing.

Marco closed the laptop slow. " you got me spooked. Talk to me."

" Leonardo saw Emilia today. At the store."

She paused.

" And he caught her. Grabbed her waist when she almost fell."

Marco's whole face dropped.

" Nah. Nah.."

His hand balled up like he wanted to grab her, but he checked himself.

" What the hall y'all doing?"

" we was just getting her new wears at the women section." Selena said.

Then he just walks in. Like he knew we were gonna be there."

The study went quiet.

Marco didn't blow up. Didn't throw s**t.

He just looked at her. And that hit harder.

" women's section," he said, slow. Like he couldn't believe it.

" outta every damn store in Chicago, and he walks into that one. At that time."

Selena stopped pacing. " you really think that was a coincidence?"

" Leonardo don't do coincidences."

He stood up, dragged a hand through his hair.

Laptop still lit up behind him.

" Did he say anything to her?"

" Nah. He just caught her. Then looked right at me. Like he knew."

Her voice broke on the last word.

Marco's jaw clenched.

" He put his hands on our daughter, Selena."

" I know."

" And if he knows her name, then he is on our daughter."

Selena felt sick. " we gotta move her. Tonight."

Marco glanced at the door. Upstairs. Emilia was probably pressed to it, trying to eavesdrop.

" Nah," he said low. " We ain't taking Emilia far away from us because that exactly what he would want. Not this time or ever.

He walked to the window, cracked the blinds. The south side was quiet. Too quiet. Just streetlights and snow starting to fall.

" Leonardo intentionally left a message and that's clear so clear." He intends to come for our Emilia.

Emilia is just a child. What does he stands to gain. Selena said at the verge of breaking down.

" I don't know he has in mind or just may be he clocked on our games and intends to use Emilia against us."

He turns his back to her.

" Call security. Double the gates. And go see Emilia now she must have been shocked.

If he planned this, i need to know why today."

Selena nodded, but hands were shaking.

" cause they both know what man Leonardo us and what he is capable."

* TORTURE ROOM * THE BLACK DEN

Rel was done. One foot in the grave already.

Draco's whip came down again and sliced new lines into his back.

" you dumbass. You don't mess with the Don," Draco growled.

Rel could only let out a low cry.

" Who the hell are you working for?" Draco asked the hundredth time.

Rel but down and said nothing.

That's what set Draco off. Every run me Rel shut his mouth, hot meal kisses his skin. Still nothing.

Then a voice cut through the room.

" How's it going down here?"

Draco spine straightened instantly. One knee down, hands folded.

" Underboss Diego."

Diego stepped in. Clean........