“Take Lucia and stay with Marco,” Dominic said. “He is waiting in an unmarked sedan two blocks north.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, gripping his lapels.

“I am going to the estate,” Dominic said. “I am going to end this.”

“Dominic, she has Judge Whitmore,” I said, the fear sharp in my throat. “She will use him to take Lucia. She’s already threatened it.”

“Let her try,” Dominic said.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead, a brief, warm pressure that made my eyes sting.

Then he turned and walked toward the front of the shop.

I heard him speaking to Russo and the other man, his voice sharp and directing them out the door.

The front door chimed again, and then there was silence.

I ran to the office and pulled Lucia out from under the desk.

“Mommy? Are we going?” she asked, clutching her box of crayons.

“Yes, sweetie. We have to go for a little walk,” I said, pulling her coat onto her arms.

I looked at Miriam. “Come with us. Marco will keep you safe.”