ine'

seat next to my daughter. Her small frame was rigid and stubborn, as she crossed he

ase. I glanced at her, taking in the unyielding glint in her eyes. She

lpable as the steady hum of the engine. She had run off to some place without informing

e with the housekeeper without asking me for permission and if she hadn't had

it had taken quite a bit of effort to find her

permission, Lilianna?" My voice was calm, measured. Even though I fe

ee her shoulders stiffen. "You said not to,"

e, to lecture her about the importance of rules and safety, but I held back. The look on her face to

hy I don't want you going out like that," I began, my voice gentl

s meeting mine for the first

omeone who wants to hurt you. Until we figure out who they are and stop t

at the last housekeeper h

n arrogantly. "I can handle them," she said, her voice t

f pride and frustration well

. If her mother were here maybe she would be a bit

ld do. I opened my mouth to r

lessons that wor

stood at the entrance, waiting for us. As the driver opened

shoulder. She shrugged it off and stomped loudly into t

ency. "Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti," he said with a slight bow. "I recei

turing for hi

y," Antonio said, his tone solemn. "Secondly, Mr. Romano requested an urgent meeting regarding the new te

ssue was quite troubling.

oftened slightly. "The new h

d a bro

d handle. From inside, I could hear Lilianna's laugh

d as I pushed

woman, her hair bouncing as she spoke. A young woman with long bla

the new housekeeper

to look for and had only confirmed her background without

p into the d

lia

oon as she saw me, all the color drained from her cheeks

beamed. "Daddy, meet R

anna's words. She was no

an, noting her presence with a cur

ianna to her room. Make sure

course, sir. Come al

ly took Antonio's hand. "Okay, Daddy," she said softly, ca

new housekeeper was following. She would either keep up or she woul

e large mahogany desk. I glanced up briefly to see her standing hesitantly by the

fr

s to discuss. Or you

e door softly behind her. She sat down on the edge of the

here to do a job, nothing more. If she could handle it, she'd stay. If not

with," I said, my voi