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“I’m ready!” Lou sings as she comes bounding back into the room with her backpack. Fee gives Lou a quick hug and kiss before we head out.
Walking down the street with Lou between us and Marco trailing behind, her small hand in mine, I can’t help but feel a sense of rightness. It’s as if I’ve stumbled into a life I never knew I wanted but now can’t imagine being without.
As we approach the school, a commotion catches our attention. A larger boy is pushing a smaller kid against the fence, taunting him loudly.
Without hesitation, Lou lets go of our hands and marches toward the scene. “Hey!” she shouts, her voice surprisingly authoritative for a nine-year-old. “Leave him alone!”
The bully turns, sneering at Lou. “Mind your own business, shrimp.”
Lou stands her ground, hands on her hips, a scowl on her face. “I said, leave him alone.”
The bully laughs and gives Lou a rough shove, sending her stumbling backward. “What are you gonna do about it?”
That littlefucker. I start to take a step forward, but before I can really move, Zip puts a hand on my arm.
“Wait,” he murmurs. “Watch.”
Lou straightens up, a determined look on her face. “Youreallydon’t want to do that,” she says calmly.
The bully scoffs. “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
Lou jerks her thumb over her shoulder, pointing at me. “Because that’s Don Pirelli, and he doesn’t like it when people mess with his family.”
The bully’s eyes widen as he looks at me, recognition and fear dawning on his face. My reputation in the neighborhood clearly precedes me.
“I… I’m sorry,” he stammers, backing away from both Lou and the kid he was bullying. “It won’t happen again.”
As the bully scurries off, Lou turns to the other kid. “You okay?” she asks kindly.
The boy nods, looking at Lou with a mixture of gratitude and awe. “Thanks,” he mumbles.
Lou shrugs, a small smile on her face. “No problem. That’s what friends are for.”
As Lou rejoins us, I can see the other kids watching her with newfound respect. Zip chuckles beside me.
“Well,” he says, “looks like Lou’s found a new way to handle bullies.”
I nod, still processing what just happened. Goddamn, this kid is amazing. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”
Zip pats my shoulder. “That she is. And it seems she’s quite fond of you too, Don Pirelli.”
As we say goodbye to Lou and watch her head into school, her head held high, I can’t help but feel a swell of affection. This brave, kind-hearted girl has wormed her way into my heart, just like her mother.
Walking back with Zip, I know that my life has irrevocably changed. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once we’re back at the house, I turn to Marco. “I need to see Genesis. I’ve got an idea.”
I stride into Genesis’ studio, determination etched on my face. She takes one look at me from behind her easel and arches an eyebrow.
“Let me guess, you’re here to ask for a favor that’ll probably get us both killed,” she says dryly. She waves at Marco. “Hey, Marco. Glad to see Angelo’s dragging you into another hare-brained scheme.”
I can’t help but smirk. “You know me so well.”
“Spill it, Pirelli,” she demands, crossing her tattooed arms.
“I need counterfeit money. Top-notch quality.”
Genesis lets out a low whistle. “Damn, you don’t do things by halves, do you? What's next, want me to forge the Mona Lisa?”
