Chapter 1 - SIGN THE HOUSE OVER
Luca Romano was already holding Emma under both arms when Jessi entered the kitchen.
The five-year-old was crying so hard she could barely form words.
A huge stockpot steamed beside them.
Luca lifted Emma toward it.
Not into it.
Close enough.
“SIGN THE HOUSE OVER!”
Jessi did not think.
She ran.
Hit Luca hard at the shoulder.
Wrapped both arms around Emma’s waist.
Pulled.
Luca lost his grip.
Emma flew into Jessi’s chest and locked both arms around her neck.
The stockpot tipped.
Hot water splashed across Jessi’s forearm.
Pain burned bright.
She cried out but did not release Emma.
“DON’T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!”
Luca snatched the property-transfer papers from the island and slammed them flat.
A pen followed.
“SIGN IT, AND THIS ENDS!”
Wendy Romano stood behind him.
Pearl necklace.
Navy blouse.
No shock.
No attempt to stop her son.
That told Jessi almost as much as Luca’s threat.
She moved Emma behind the kitchen island.
Then reached into her pocket.
Luca smiled.
He thought she was reaching for the pen.
Instead Jessi pulled out a small recorder.
Red light.
Active.
Wendy’s face changed first.
“Luca… what is that?”
Jessi held it up.
“You said everything I needed.”
Luca stopped.
For the first time all night, he looked uncertain.
Jessi pressed STOP.
Silence.
Then sirens.
Close.
Growing louder.
Luca spun toward the window.
Wendy whispered:
“No.”
Jessi pulled Emma against her side.
Luca looked back at the papers.
Then the recorder.
Then Jessi.
“What did you do?”
Jessi stared at him.
“I stopped letting you call this a family decision.”
May you like
The sirens reached the street.
And Wendy finally understood that the signature was no longer the most dangerous document in the room.
