The most powerful mafia boss in Queens brought his deadliest dog to a little girl’s funeral—only for the beast to refuse to leave her coffin and growl at the boss’s most trusted underboss. Everyone thought the dog had lost control, until one phone call exposed a betrayal tied to the child’s death. But the real nightmare began when Bruno pressed his ear back to the coffin… as if something inside was still alive.

The afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the Queens sky in brilliant shades of orange, purple, and gold.

The guests had gone home, leaving only the Vasquez family and my inner circle relaxing on the quiet patio.

Elena had fallen asleep in her chair, her small head resting against a soft cushion, her stuffed bunny tucked tightly under her arm.

Bruno hadn't moved an inch. He remained lying on the grass beside her, his dark eyes half-closed, his ears twitching whenever a car passed by on the street outside.

Tony walked over to my table, carrying two clean glasses and a bottle of expensive vintage wine.

"It’s quiet out there, Boss," Tony murmured, pouring two fingers of dark red wine into my glass. "Harlan’s territory is completely cleared out. The police chief sent his regards. He said the city hasn't been this peaceful in twenty years."

"Good," I said, taking a slow sip of the wine. "Let it stay that way."

"What about us?" Tony asked softly, looking around the peaceful courtyard. "What do we do now?"

I looked over at Elena, sleeping soundly under the warm spring breeze, and then down at Bruno, who opened one dark eye to look at me before resting his head back on Elena's shoes.

"We protect what matters, Tony," I whispered. "We protect the neighborhood. We protect the innocent. And we make sure no monster ever steps foot in Queens again."

Tony nodded, raising his glass in a quiet toast. "To family, Boss."

"To family," I agreed, clinking my glass against his.

I stood up slowly, stepping over to Elena’s chair. I gently pulled a light wool blanket over her small shoulders, tucking it securely around her chin.

Bruno lifted his head, licking my hand once with a soft, affectionate nudge, before settling back into his endless guard over the little girl he had saved from the dark.

I looked up at the stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening New York sky.

The world was full of shadows, violence, and dangerous men. But standing in that quiet courtyard, surrounded by the people I loved and the faithful beast who had brought a child back from the grave, I knew one thing for certain.