Chapter 9
I wanted to cancel the show.
Mia heard me say it.
Her face crumpled.
“But everyone has someone coming.”
Lena knelt.
“Baby, safety matters more.”
Mia looked at me.
“You promised to try.”
That hurt because she was right.
I stepped into the hallway and spoke with Detective Hale.
“How many threats?”
“One confirmed. Possibly more.”
“Can you secure the auditorium?”
“We can, if you let us do it our way.”
I almost laughed.
Everyone wanted my permission to stop me from being myself.
“Do it.”
Anika paused.
“Really?”
“Do it before I change my mind.”
The school delayed the show by twenty minutes.
Police moved quietly.
Parents whispered.
Children fidgeted backstage.
Mia held my hand.
“Are you scared?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened.
“You are?”
“Yes.”
“But you’re big.”
“Fear does not measure height.”
She thought about that.
“Can I be scared and sing?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will.”
When the curtain opened, Mia stood in the second row with six other children.
Her voice was small at first.
Then stronger.
Lena cried silently.
I sat beside her, hands folded, every muscle ready to move.
For one minute, there was no mafia.
No blood.
No ledgers.
Only a child singing badly and bravely under school lights.
Then a man near the side exit moved too fast.
Rafael caught him.
Police swarmed.
Parents screamed.
Mia froze onstage.
I stood.
But I did not run toward danger.
I looked at Mia and touched my blue tie.
She saw me.
She kept singing.
Her voice trembled.
Then steadied.
The children finished the song.
The auditorium erupted in applause mixed with panic.
Anika arrested two men outside.
Both tied to Vittorio.
Both carrying burner phones.
One had a photo of Mia.
One had a photo of Lena.
Afterward, Mia ran into my arms without asking.
I froze for half a breath.
Then held her.
“You came,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“For the whole song.”
“Yes.”
She leaned back.
“Can I keep you tomorrow too?”
Lena inhaled sharply.
I looked over Mia’s head at her mother.
She was crying.
I whispered, “If your mother allows it.”
Mia turned.
“Mommy?”
May you like
Lena looked at me for a long time.
Then said, “One more day.”
