Page 6 of Mafia Kingdom

"Lily, are you okay?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, calm. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and innocent.

"I'm fine, Sasha. Now that you are here.”

I force a smile. "Do you want anything? A snack, maybe?"

She shakes her head, already turning her attention back to the TV. I wish I could join her in that simple, carefree world, but my mind is too busy with worry.

The noise of Dad entering the hallway has me jumping to my feet. I had left him upstairs crying, hoping he would pull himself together before he came down here.

His face is flushed, and his eyes are bloodshot from crying. As I enter the hallway, I can smell the alcohol on him. Great. Just what I need right now. Him hitting the bottle when I need his head straight.

He narrows his eyes at me, his expression a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

“Maybe if you didn't leave, things wouldn't be so bad."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I can feel the anger rising inside me, but I try to keep it in check. "I had to leave, Dad. You know why."

"Do I?" he sneers. "Because it seems to me like you're just running away from your responsibilities."

I clench my fists, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over. "I'm doing the best I can, Dad. Someone has to."

"Yeah, well, maybe your best isn't good enough," he mutters. His attitude sure has changed in the short time I've been down here with Lily.

I bite my lip, the taste of blood sharp on my tongue. I want to scream, to yell at him for being so blind, so unfair. But I can't. Not in front of Lily. Not when she needs me to be strong.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of the kitchen again, a glaring testament to our chaotic lives. Dishes are piled high in the sink, food stains mar the countertops, and the floor is littered with crumbs and wrappers. It's a mess—just like everything else around here.

Dad’s behavior has only made things worse. I remember the times when he used to take care of things, back before his gambling problem spiraled out of control. It's hard not to blame him for our financial mess, even though he insists it’s not his fault.

"Was it the gambling, Dad?" I ask, my voice softer now, almost pleading. "Is that why we're in this mess?"

He doesn’t look at me; instead, he stares into the distance, his expression hard. "No," he says flatly. "Interest rates went up, cost of living went up, and my hours at the factory got cut."

I study his face, searching for any sign of truth. His eyes flicker with something—guilt, maybe? I know he’s lying. I remember seeing the gambling slips, the hidden bottles. But what can I do? What did I do before? I ignored it. Because I kept it hidden from Lily and hoped it would all go away.

I swallow hard, knowing I need to confront the real issue. "Dad, we can't have Lily here when those men come back. It's not safe for her."

He snaps, turning on me with a fury that makes me flinch. "I'm doing my best, Sasha! What more do you want from me?"

His shout rings in my ears, and I hear Lily’s small intake of breath. She is no longer focused on the TV. I wish I could shield her from the ugliness of our reality.

"It's not enough, Dad," I say quietly, my voice trembling. "Your best isn't enough."

He looks at me, his anger fading into something else—defeat, maybe? Or just sheer exhaustion? He rubs his face with his hands. I can see the toll this life has taken on him, but I can't afford to feel sympathy. Not now.

I turn my attention back to Lily, smoothing her hair and whispering reassurances. "It's okay, sweetie. We'll figure something out."

But inside, I'm screaming. Screaming at the unfairness of it all, at the helplessness I feel. How can I keep us safe when everything around us is falling apart?

“I need some air,” I say to my father, making my decision to get Lily out of this situation first. I brush past him and out into the overgrown garden.

Hitting dial on Aunt Karen’s number sends butterflies erupting in my stomach. She doesn't like us much, but maybe she'd take Lily for a few days. It’s worth a try.

The phone rings, and with each ring, my anxiety grows.

"Hello?" Aunt Karen's voice is sharp, impatient.

"Aunt Karen, it's Sasha," I say, my voice quivering despite my efforts to sound calm. "I need your help."

---