Chapter 7 - Unseen Protection
Months passed, and the bakery thrived. Elena proved to be exceptional with numbers, organizing Giuseppe’s chaotic receipts and turning a comfortable profit for the shop. She quickly learned the names of the regulars, greeting them with a warmth that made the bakery a neighborhood staple.
Though they never saw Vincent Corleto, his presence was quietly felt. There was always a sleek black car parked discreetly down the block when Elena closed up the shop at night. The local beat cops walked by a little more frequently, always tipping their hats to her. Even the neighborhood teenagers, prone to graffiti and loitering, gave Bella Roma a wide, respectful berth.
Word had quietly circulated through the streets: the woman and the little girl at the bakery were under the direct protection of the Corleto family. Anyone who looked at them the wrong way would have to answer to Vincent himself. For Elena, this invisible shield brought a profound sense of peace. She was no longer a victim; she was a mother who could finally provide for her child.
