Davide knelt and scooped Massimo up in his arms. The soldier who had opened the car door stood three paces behind, hands clasped, watching the courtyard with the flat, scanning gaze of a man paid to notice threats. He noticed none. He wasn't trained by Valente men.
"Hey, buddy, your mom tells me someone gave you trouble at school?"
Massimo smirked, his eyes narrowing into slits. He glanced once at Luna. She gave the faintest nod. His small shoulders settled with satisfaction.
"Yeah, there was this little brat. When I hit her, she almost pushed me down. But I really gave her a lesson." His voice carried across the courtyard, bright and boastful. "I even cut her toe!"
The words hung in the silence. A few parents shifted their weight. No one spoke.
Davide pinched Massimo's chubby cheeks and smiled approvingly. "Good job, my boy. You're really something."
My stomach turned. Beside me, Emilia's grip on my sleeve had gone so tight her knuckles were white. She didn't make a sound. She never did.