A terrified 13-year-old girl fled her mafia boss father, only to be surrounded by fourteen police dogs at the airport—then the officers discovered why she was really running.

Chapter 2

The private office was small and windowless, with a single metal desk and two chairs that had seen better decades. Security monitors lined one wall, showing different angles of the airport — the bustling terminals, the baggage claim, the parking garage. Elena sat in one of the chairs, her backpack clutched to her chest, her wrists raw from the handcuffs that had been removed only minutes ago.

Frank closed the door and leaned against it, giving her space. He’d learned long ago that cornered animals bite, and right now, this girl looked like she was preparing to bolt at the slightest wrong move.

“I know who you are,” he said quietly. “And I think I know why you’re here.”

Elena’s tear-streaked face lifted, and for the first time, she met his gaze directly. There was fear there, yes, but also something else — a desperate, fragile hope that made Frank’s chest tighten.

“I want to help you,” he continued, keeping his voice low and steady. “But we need to be very careful about who we trust. Your father has eyes everywhere.”

Her fingers tightened around her backpack. “You don’t know him,” she whispered. “You don’t know what he’ll do.”

“Tell me.”