SHADOWS OF THE WINTER COAT

Elena pulled Lily tighter against her chest, stepping backward into the shadows of the cellar until her shoulders hit the cold stone wall. ""Don't you dare touch her.""

Julian’s hands remained suspended in the dusty air. For a fleeting second, the terrifying mob boss looked entirely helpless. His broad shoulders slumped an inch, the imposing silhouette softening in the dim gray shaft of light.

""Elena,"" he said, and for the first time in five years, the gravel in his tone gave way to the boy she used to sneak out to see in the old harbor district. ""There are three more cars en route from Salvatore's faction. If we are still in this basement when they arrive, I cannot keep both of you alive. Choose right now.""

Elena looked at his eyes—the cold, dark irises that Lily had somehow inherited beneath her hazel sheen. She felt the heavy thumping of Lily’s heart against her ribs, fast and terrified like a captured sparrow.

""If you ever use her as a pawn,"" Elena choked out, tears finally breaking past her exhaustion, ""I will kill you myself, Julian. I swear on my life.""

""Fair terms,"" Julian whispered.

Elena stepped forward, transferring the trembling girl into his heavy embrace. Lily let out a sharp gasp as Julian’s arms closed around her, but Julian moved with an impossible, practiced gentleness, shifting his massive frame so that Lily was completely shielded beneath the heavy charcoal wool of his coat, tucked securely against his broad chest.

""I have you,"" Julian murmured softly against the child’s hair, the words stiff, as if he hadn't spoken them in decades. ""Close your eyes, little one. The storm is over.""

They moved quickly through the cellar’s rear coal chute, emerging into the icy blizzard behind the row of commercial buildings. A black SUV swung around the icy corner without its headlights on, tires sliding before gripping the pavement and stopping inches from their feet.