The next morning, Austin pulled into the school's drop-off lane, her fingers tapping a restless rhythm on the steering wheel. Before letting the kids out, she turned to face them, her expression shifting into the look they all knew as her serious, no-nonsense " Mom's giving a mission" face.
" If anyone asks who your mother is, tell them it's Emma. Got it ?" Her voice was low, deliberate.
Emma had studied under her in design and was now conveniently stationed in Milan, while Austin herself remained in New York. The cover was seamless. The children knew Emma well enough that it wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Elena's brows pulled together. " But... why ?"
Leo let out a sigh and leaned back in his seat theatrically. " Don't ask, Elena. You know the drill—ask too many questions and she
