Valentina stepped out of the mall with Matteo strapped to her chest and a couple of shopping bags looped over her wrist. She adjusted one bag against her hip and looked down as Matteo shifted sleepily against her.
Then she saw one of Vee's guards standing near the entrance. Val slowed. He looked up, spotted her, and moved toward her quickly.
"What are you doing here?" Val asked.
The guard frowned. "Mrs. Genovese said she was meeting you inside."
"Really?" Valentina asked, her confusion deepening. "When? I haven't seen her."
"About an hour ago," he said.
Val stared at him. All she could hear was the guard's answer repeating in her head. About an hour ago. "What? No. I would have seen her." She shook her head quickly. "I was inside. I was right there. How did she even know I was here?"
