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00:00:00I was five days old when my mother abandoned me.
00:00:02She left me on the front steps of the Falcone family's estate.
00:00:05A dozen killers stood over the basket, staring down at me.
00:00:08To survive, I babbled without thinking.
00:00:11Then they froze.
00:00:12The Mafia boss turned to the others.
00:00:14Should we keep her?
00:00:16That's how I ended up with 108 fathers.
00:00:18Your problem?
00:00:19Every single one of my dads was on the most wanted list.
00:00:22So, to keep my dads out of trouble, I lived an ordinary life for years.
00:00:26Until college.
00:00:27That's when I became the target of bullying.
00:00:29What are you staring at?
00:00:30A charity case like you thinks you belong at this academy?
00:00:33Keep dreaming.
00:00:34Something in my chest snapped.
00:00:36I grabbed Claire and dragged her off the third floor with me.
00:00:39When I woke up, I was lying in the school infirmary.
00:00:42The teacher pointed at me and shouted,
00:00:43She bullied you so you tried to kill her?
00:00:45Did you ever think about why she targeted you?
00:00:48Call your parents! Now!
00:00:49I want to see what kind of trash raised someone like you.
00:00:52If they can't even show up, you're done here!
00:00:55A chill ran down my spine.
00:00:56Mrs. Vaughn, are you sure you want me to call my dad?
00:00:58I'm damn sure!
00:00:59You little bitch!
00:01:00You dared to touch my daughter!
00:01:02Get your parents down here on their knees right now!
00:01:04Call your parents!
00:01:05Tell them to get down here and pay!
00:01:07The hallway filled up.
00:01:08Teachers.
00:01:09Students.
00:01:09Phones out.
00:01:10Curious.
00:01:11Delighted.
00:01:11I held the phone.
00:01:12My contacts list was right there, full to the bottom.
00:01:15But I couldn't dial.
00:01:16I have 108 dads.
00:01:18But every one of them has a federal record.
00:01:20Sal, my oldest dad, ran the Falcone family.
00:01:23Papa Enzo moved guns.
00:01:24Papa Nico ran the loans.
00:01:26Papa Vito ran the back rooms.
00:01:28They used to give me black cards and pat my head.
00:01:30Emi, don't start anything out there.
00:01:32But if anyone touches you, tell us.
00:01:34Anyone who lays a finger on you won't live to regret it.
00:01:37They always came home late, covered in blood and scars.
00:01:40Laughing about how close the feds got.
00:01:42I thought about the news.
00:01:43RICO.
00:01:44Task force.
00:01:45Indictments.
00:01:46I couldn't let them risk their lives.
00:01:47I looked up and tried once more.
00:01:49Mrs. Vaughn, my dad work far away.
00:01:51They can't come.
00:01:52I'll write an apology.
00:01:53Suspend me.
00:01:54Anything.
00:01:55Please just don't call them.
00:01:58Sure, he runs the Falcone family.
00:02:00But he's the most normal one I've got.
00:02:02Please.
00:02:02Please just act like a regular father for 10 minutes.
00:02:05He picked up on the first ring.
00:02:07His voice came through warm, already smiling.
00:02:10Papa, my teacher wants you to come to the school.
00:02:12I-
00:02:12The school?
00:02:13He got loud fast.
00:02:14Did you win another award?
00:02:16First time you ever asked me to come get it.
00:02:18Hold on, baby.
00:02:19I'm coming right now.
00:02:20No, that's not-
00:02:21Then I heard a gunshot.
00:02:22I froze.
00:02:23A man screamed.
00:02:24Then a string of dull, flat thuds.
00:02:26Clean it up.
00:02:27When I was little, he came home with blood on his sleeves and told me it was ketchup.
00:02:30His breathing was off.
00:02:32But when he spoke to me again, his voice was soft as ever.
00:02:34Not what, sweetheart?
00:02:35Is he hurt?
00:02:36Is he in the middle of something?
00:02:37Is somebody pointing a gun at him right now?
00:02:39My heart hammered.
00:02:40Sal's eyes darkened.
00:02:42If it's not an award, did someone mess with you?
00:02:44Stay right there.
00:02:45Dad's coming.
00:02:47Fine.
00:02:48I closed my fist and agreed to all of it.
00:02:50Humiliation burned, but it was worth it.
00:02:52They didn't touch my father's.
00:02:53That's all that mattered.
00:02:54That night, I pulled the ball cap low and went back to the apartment Papa Leo rents for me.
00:02:59The kitchen light was on.
00:03:00Three men were in there cooking.
00:03:02Papa Gio, Papa Nico, Papa Luca.
00:03:04They came at me the second the door opened.
00:03:06Emma's home!
00:03:07So I hear there's an awards thing at your school.
00:03:10Why can't I go get it?
00:03:12It's my turn.
00:03:12Papa Nico started working my shoulders.
00:03:14Your turn, hell.
00:03:15It's mine.
00:03:16Papa Luca pushed a bowl at me.
00:03:18Try this.
00:03:18Good for the brain.
00:03:19Get into a good school.
00:03:20My nose stung.
00:03:21I made myself smile.
00:03:23It's a little certificate.
00:03:24Not worth the trip.
00:03:25Next time I win something big, you can all come.
00:03:27Fine, fine.
00:03:28Eat.
00:03:29They filled my plate.
00:03:29Then Papa Gio's face changed and he stood up to take a call.
00:03:32I caught pieces of it.
00:03:34That shipment.
00:03:34They're watching it again.
00:03:36Damn, this money's hard to make.
00:03:37Something in my chest twisted.
00:03:39If they got caught, they'd rot behind bars for the rest of their lives.
00:03:42I put my fork down and took a breath.
00:03:44Dads, we need to talk.
00:03:45They froze.
00:03:48I'm grown up now.
00:03:49I'll graduate top of Volante Royal Academy and take care of you.
00:03:52So, could you stop doing that kind of work?
00:03:54Something safe, please?
00:03:55They stopped moving.
00:03:56Then they grabbed each other and started bawling and said yes.
00:04:00They swore it.
00:04:01Two hours later, they left three black cards on my counter and went out the door.
00:04:05I stood in the hall and watched them go.
00:04:07I called out,
00:04:08Get real jobs!
00:04:09We heard you!
00:04:11The second the door shut, Papa Gio turned to the others, honestly confused.
00:04:15That's strange.
00:04:16Why doesn't she like me designing submarine reactors?
00:04:18The other two had no idea either.
00:04:20Inside, I opened my phone.
00:04:22The Falcone family.
00:04:23Is my girl tired?
00:04:24Are they working you too hard?
00:04:26Need more money?
00:04:27Don't skimp.
00:04:28We have plenty.
00:04:29My eyes stung.
00:04:30I sniffed and typed one line.
00:04:32I'm fine.
00:04:33Don't worry about me.
00:04:34You guys be careful at work.
00:04:36Send.
00:04:36Watching their replies flood in, I made up my mind.
00:04:39I would never cause my dads any more trouble.
00:04:42Just endure it, Emma, until graduation.
00:04:47The next day was hell.
00:04:49Everywhere I went, people whispered, pointed, laughed.
00:04:53After school, I slipped out through the back alley.
00:04:55Yet Claire and her clique still found me.
00:04:57She got out of the wheelchair and walked toward me.
00:05:00Didn't you say you'd carry my bag?
00:05:02I hadn't left yet and you're already running?
00:05:04You think I'm a joke, Emma?
00:05:05I lowered my head.
00:05:06Sorry, you didn't call me.
00:05:07I don't have to.
00:05:08You're my dog.
00:05:09She shoved her phone in my face.
00:05:10Say it.
00:05:11I'm Emma.
00:05:12I'm garbage.
00:05:13I forgot to heal for Miss Whitmore.
00:05:15I bit my lip and didn't move.
00:05:16Cool.
00:05:16You do whatever the fuck I tell you.
00:05:18Got it?
00:05:18Okay.
00:05:19She left with her followers.
00:05:20The alley fell silent.
00:05:22I slowly crouched down, reaching for my ruined papers and soaked books.
00:05:26Then I looked up.
00:05:27Several men were standing at the entrance of the alley.
00:05:29Papa Sal was in front.
00:05:30Behind him, five more of my dads.
00:05:33None of them said a word.
00:05:34Their faces dark.
00:05:35Their eyes never left me.
00:05:38Papa Sal crouched down.
00:05:39He wiped the blood off my face with his thumb.
00:05:42Who did this?
00:05:43I turned my head away.
00:05:44Nobody.
00:05:45I fell.
00:05:46Fell?
00:05:47Papa Marco picked my book out of the water and held it up.
00:05:50There was a shoe print through the cover.
00:05:52That's a fall.
00:05:53They stomped all over it.
00:05:55Papa Enzo pushed his glasses up.
00:05:58Emma, tell us if you will level this city.
00:06:02I bit down on my lip.
00:06:03I couldn't tell them.
00:06:04Richard Whitmore was rich.
00:06:06Powerful.
00:06:07Claire kept saying her family owned this city.
00:06:10If my dads got involved, they'd be arrested.
00:06:12I couldn't let that happen.
00:06:14I shook my head.
00:06:15The tears came anyway.
00:06:17Papa Sal let out a breath and took my cold hand in his.
00:06:20Emma, you remember when you were five?
00:06:22A kid from the next street took your candy and you cried all night?
00:06:25The next morning, his whole family moved out of Southport.
00:06:29We're not good men.
00:06:31But this family's rule has never changed.
00:06:34Anyone who hurts our daughter pays with their life.
00:06:37The wind itself seemed to stop.
00:06:39They stood around me in a circle, silent, furious, wrecked.
00:06:43Everything I'd been swallowing for a month came up at once.
00:06:47Papa.
00:06:48I fell into his coat and howled.
00:06:51Between sobs, I told them everything.
00:06:56It's Claire.
00:06:57Her father is Richard Whitmore.
00:06:59He owns the mines.
00:07:00She says the whole city belongs to them.
00:07:02She bullies me every day.
00:07:04She filmed it today.
00:07:06Papa Marco crushed his phone with one hand.
00:07:09A damn miner?
00:07:12He's got a death wish.
00:07:14Damn that Whitmore!
00:07:15I was the one who helped that bastard make his fortune.
00:07:17And now, he dares touch our girl!
00:07:19Every one of my dads exploded in anger.
00:07:22I sat there blinking at them.
00:07:24Papa Sal just kept rubbing my back.
00:07:26Then he took out his phone and dialed.
00:07:28And his voice went cold as a knife.
00:07:31Pass the word.
00:07:32Tell every brother to drop whatever they're doing.
00:07:35One hour.
00:07:37South Port.
00:07:38Somebody hurt our daughter.
00:07:40The next morning, Papa Sal told me to go to school like it was any other day.
00:07:44I went alone.
00:07:45Claire was at the gate, next to that stupid car.
00:07:48She raised her voice for the crowd.
00:07:50Well, look who it is!
00:07:53Yesterday, she was on her knees for-
00:07:54I walked straight past her, calm, like she was air.
00:07:58She stopped mid-sentence.
00:07:59Emma!
00:08:00She rushed over and grabbed my bag.
00:08:03Did I say you could go?
00:08:05Didn't yesterday teach you anything?
00:08:07You little bitch!
00:08:08She raised her hand, ready to slap me again.
00:08:11I caught her wrist in the air.
00:08:14I looked her in the eye.
00:08:15Let go.
00:08:16Close to nose across the street.
00:08:18Then the press.
00:08:19Vans.
00:08:20Cameras.
00:08:20A wall of flashes.
00:08:22Richard Whitmore stood there holding my collar and didn't move.
00:08:25Doors opened.
00:08:26Men came down.
00:08:28One.
00:08:29Two.
00:08:29Ten.
00:08:30Fifty.
00:08:31A hundred and eight men walked out of the trucks.
00:08:34The cars.
00:08:34The side streets.
00:08:35They closed around him in a ring with no gaps in it.
00:08:38Touch my doors up again.
00:08:44Try it.
00:08:46The street went dead silent.
00:08:48His hand froze on my collar.
00:08:50I looked at them.
00:08:51Some in tailored suits.
00:08:53Businessmen.
00:08:53Some covered in ink, with faces like closed doors.
00:08:57And some in dress uniform, with stars on the shoulder.
00:09:00They stood there and said nothing.
00:09:02And a hundred and eight stares stayed on Richard.
00:09:06Papa Sal walked forward.
00:09:08Every step he took, Whitmore stumbled back one.
00:09:10Papa Sal stopped in front of me.
00:09:12He reached out and knocked the man's hand off my collar.
00:09:15Mr. Whitfield.
00:09:16Mining, isn't it?
00:09:17Whitmore's whole body jumped.
00:09:19Papa Marco laughed behind him.
00:09:21That mine.
00:09:23Missing half its permits.
00:09:25Papa Enzo adjusted his glasses.
00:09:27Three fatal accidents last year.
00:09:29None of them reported.
00:09:31Family settled under 200,000 a man.
00:09:33Whitmore went gray.
00:09:34How do you know that?
00:09:36Papa Sal didn't answer him.
00:09:37He turned around and gently touched my cheek.
00:09:40Did they hurt you?
00:09:41I shook my head hard.
00:09:43The tears came anyway.
00:09:44He moved me behind him.
00:09:46When he turned back, his eyes were ice.
00:09:49Your daughter made my daughter kneel.
00:09:51Whitmore found his last piece of nerve.
00:09:53So what?
00:09:54She pushed my daughter off the third floor.
00:09:58You pushed her?
00:09:59Papa Marco laughed and held up his phone.
00:10:01The original bathroom footage.
00:10:03All of it.
00:10:04Dumping water on me.
00:10:05Ripping my clothes.
00:10:06Calling me trash.
00:10:08Whitmore stood frozen.
00:10:09He couldn't say a word.
00:10:11Ms. Vaughn rushed out of the building, still tried to protect her donor.
00:10:14Gentlemen, Emma has always been a problem.
00:10:17Ms. Vaughn.
00:10:18Papa Enzo cut her off and she shut her mouth.
00:10:22You took 200,000 from the Whitmits last year.
00:10:25You changed Claire's transcript.
00:10:27You buried an assault report.
00:10:29Would you like me to play the wire transfers now?
00:10:31Or the recordings?
00:10:33Her face went gray.
00:10:36First, by noon your daughter films an apology and it plays on every screen in the school.
00:10:41Then you sign the settlement on camera.
00:10:44Miss one thing and I take a shipping route.
00:10:50Second, Mrs. Vaughn, you resign or I end you so thoroughly you never work in a school again.
00:10:57Third, he looked back at me.
00:10:59His eyes softened.
00:11:00Emma, from today on, if anyone so much as lays a finger on you, we'll make them disappear.
00:11:08The helicopters came down onto the football field.
00:11:10Three black Federal SUVs pulled up at the gate.
00:11:13Men in dark suits got out and didn't so much as glance at Richard Whitmore.
00:11:17They walked to the fathers with the stars on their shoulders.
00:11:20The one in front stopped and saluted.
00:11:22Sir, per your instruction,
00:11:24the full evidence file on Whitmore mining has been handed to the district attorney's office.
00:11:29Richard Whitmore nearly collapsed.
00:11:31Ms. Vaughn dropped to the ground.
00:11:32Papa Sal shielded me behind him.
00:11:35The 108 dads surrounded me.
00:11:37They didn't say another word, just walked me through the dead quiet crowd.
00:11:41They put me in the first car.
00:11:42Papa Leo and Papa Dominic were already inside.
00:11:45The car pulled off.
00:11:47Papa Leo answered a call.
00:11:49Yes, freeze every Whitmore account.
00:11:52He doesn't move a dollar.
00:11:55Papa Dominic put in an earpiece.
00:11:57Radiation levels over limit at the mine?
00:11:59Good.
00:12:00Give it to the biggest outlet you can find.
00:12:02Tell them to dig.
00:12:03The district's been notified.
00:12:05Vaunt loses her license permanently.
00:12:07She's done an education.
00:12:08Hearing that, my voice shook.
00:12:10Dads, what do you actually do?
00:12:12Silence filled the car.
00:12:13When we got home, the little apartment was full of men.
00:12:17Every single one of my 108 dads was there.
00:12:20Papa Sal sat me on the only couch, then pointed at Papa Enzo.
00:12:24Emma, your Papa Enzo sits on the sentencing commission.
00:12:29He chairs the criminal code revision panel.
00:12:31He pointed at Papa Marco, all scar tissue and shoulders.
00:12:35Papa Marco, he runs the 3rd Expeditionary Division.
00:12:38He pointed at Papa Vito in the loud shirt.
00:12:40Papa Vito, biggest casino floor in Atlantic City.
00:12:44Last, he pointed at a quiet man in a plain jacket.
00:12:48Papa Dante, I can't tell you what he does yet.
00:12:50Let's just say he's on the government side now.
00:12:53My mouth was open.
00:12:54Nothing came out.
00:12:55Papa Tony scratched his scarred cheek.
00:12:57Emma, honey, the family's been clean for 10 years.
00:13:01Your Papa Sal was scared you'd turn out spoiled.
00:13:04He made us keep acting poor.
00:13:09Papa Nico added.
00:13:10Leaving before dawn?
00:13:12That was your Papa Sal making us go to night school.
00:13:14For degrees.
00:13:16No diploma.
00:13:17No seat at the table.
00:13:18Blood on our coats.
00:13:20Papa Bruno opened a meat plant.
00:13:21We were helping.
00:13:22My brain shut down.
00:13:23Papa Sal and crouched to my eye level.
00:13:26When we found you, we were all men living on the edge.
00:13:30But the moment you called us Papa, you melted every one of our hearts.
00:13:35So we made a promise.
00:13:36We'd build you a clean future.
00:13:39The smuggling became import-export.
00:13:41The loan sharks bought into a bank.
00:13:43Everybody climbed out.
00:13:44Papa Vito.
00:13:45You have no idea.
00:13:47Going clean is so much harder than crime.
00:13:50Taxes.
00:13:51Compliance.
00:13:53Audits.
00:13:53But you always said the work was dirty.
00:13:56Nothing's dirty.
00:13:58Emma, this is what we built for you.
00:14:00Every birthday, every one of us put money away.
00:14:04Your trust currently holds that.
00:14:08My hands shook when I opened it.
00:14:10I counted the zeros and lost track.
00:14:13I almost dropped it.
00:14:15Papa Sal took it away and touched my hair.
00:14:17We were going to tell you after graduation.
00:14:19When you were grown, but somebody put hands on our girl, we can't hide the truth anymore.
00:14:28Emma, from now on, you don't have to endure anyone.
00:14:31No matter what happens, you'll always have 108 men standing behind you.
00:14:37The doorbell rang.
00:14:39Papa Luca opened it.
00:14:41Claire Whitmore and her father stood there, gray-faced, holding gift boxes.
00:14:45They walked in like two frightened birds.
00:14:47A hundred pairs of eyes turned toward them.
00:14:49Richard Whitmore's knees nearly went.
00:14:51Claire was even worse.
00:14:52The gift boxes in her hands slipped.
00:14:53Before anyone said a word, she dropped to her knees.
00:14:56Enough.
00:14:57Everyone looked at me.
00:14:58Claire froze mid-motion.
00:15:00Her eyes were filled with fear.
00:15:01I walked over and crouched to her eye level.
00:15:03Do you know why I lost it in the bathroom?
00:15:05Why I chose to drag you down with me?
00:15:08She shook her head.
00:15:09Because you said trash like me didn't deserve to be at an elite academy.
00:15:14That was my last line.
00:15:15I studied my whole life for this, to give my dads a better life.
00:15:20You took that away.
00:15:22I had nothing left to lose.
00:15:24Claire, did you do it because I'm poor?
00:15:27Or because you already knew what you were?
00:15:31Mr. Whitmore, your daughter is what you made.
00:15:34You believed money settles everything.
00:15:36So she believed hurting people is free.
00:15:39Yes!
00:15:40Yes!
00:15:41You're right.
00:15:42I failed her.
00:15:43I'm sorry.
00:15:44I'm not lecturing you.
00:15:47Papa, if the Whitfield group just collapses, what happens to the men who work those mines?
00:15:53His mouth twitched.
00:15:55He got it.
00:15:56He turned to the man on the floor and his voice was iron.
00:15:59Mr. Whitmore, my daughter is willing to give you a chance.
00:16:03Two choices.
00:16:05One, we seal the mine.
00:16:08Tax fraud, concealed fatalities.
00:16:11You die in a cell.
00:16:14Two, you sign over 51%.
00:16:17My people move in.
00:16:19Every safety gap gets closed.
00:16:21Every injured worker gets three times full compensation.
00:16:25And from now on, it operates legal and the profit goes to charity.
00:16:30He collapsed to the floor.
00:16:31Me too.
00:16:33I choose to.
00:16:34Papa Sal's eyes move to Claire.
00:16:36As for you, one, tomorrow, you will apologize publicly in front of the entire school.
00:16:43To Emma and to every other student you bullied.
00:16:47Two, you withdraw.
00:16:49You transfer to a behavioral program and you take the counseling.
00:16:54Three, 500 hours of community service.
00:16:57No substitutes.
00:16:58Claire's body shook.
00:16:59I added one more thing.
00:17:01If you actually change in three years, you can come work at my foundation.
00:17:05Her head came up.
00:17:06She couldn't believe it.
00:17:07They took the Whitmores away.
00:17:08A hundred and eight men closed around me and started fussing.
00:17:11Papa Vito grinned until his eyes disappeared.
00:17:14That's mercy, that is.
00:17:15Reminds me of myself.
00:17:17That's me.
00:17:18I once captured an enemy commander and fed him three hot meals a day.
00:17:21I laughed.
00:17:22And then I was crying again.
00:17:26Papa, does this mean I don't have to be poor anymore?
00:17:30The room went silent.
00:17:31Then a hundred and eight men roared at once.
00:17:33No!
00:17:34We're buying you the mall tomorrow!
00:17:36Our girl finally knows we're not wanted men!
00:17:40Three days later, the black girls stopped at the gate of school.
00:17:43Every eye on campus stuck to me, afraid, impressed.
00:17:47The principal came jogging out and opened my door himself.
00:17:51Emma, the school failed to protect you before.
00:17:53We sincerely apologize.
00:17:54I just want to study in peace, sir.
00:17:55I walked into the building.
00:17:56Behind me, the principal kept bowing until I disappeared.
00:17:59My desk had been replaced, not a mark on it.
00:18:02Kids who once ignored me now crowded in with snacks and homework questions.
00:18:06I just nodded.
00:18:07Then I buried myself in practice tests.
00:18:09At lunch, someone appeared in the doorway.
00:18:11Papa Enzo, sharp suit, and his eyes were wrong.
00:18:15Emma, come home with me.
00:18:17In the car, he drove and looked straight ahead.
00:18:19To save his neck, Witwork gave up something.
00:18:21That mine moved to Shipman once, for certain people.
00:18:25My stomach dropped.
00:18:26We checked.
00:18:27It's a paramilitary outfit running out of the Gulf.
00:18:30Very bad reputation.
00:18:32Papa Sal was on the couch waiting.
00:18:33The room was full of smoke.
00:18:35I'd never seen their faces like that.
00:18:36The Shipman was precision weapons components.
00:18:39He put out his cigarette.
00:18:40They'll know Witwork is compromised by now.
00:18:43They'll come.
00:18:44I said,
00:18:44Then you all-
00:18:45You're not worried.
00:18:46Papa Marco stood.
00:18:47He was already in black kit.
00:18:50But you come first.
00:18:51As of today, you study from home.
00:18:53We're tripling security.
00:18:54I shook my head.
00:18:55No. Finals are in two months.
00:18:57I want to go to school.
00:18:59I looked around at all of them.
00:19:00And if everybody has to go underground because of me,
00:19:03I'd rather-
00:19:04Don't talk nonsense.
00:19:05Papa Sal ended it.
00:19:06You go to school, but you go with people on you.
00:19:09The next morning, I walked into class with two transfer students behind me.
00:19:12Papa Dante and Papa Rocco.
00:19:14Former contractors, top of the trade.
00:19:16Buzz cuts.
00:19:17Our uniform.
00:19:18Passing for 18 without a problem.
00:19:20Between periods, Claire's old girls came over and stammered out an apology.
00:19:24I nodded and accepted it and said nothing else.
00:19:26I didn't know that in the building across the courtyard,
00:19:29a spotting scope was pointed at my classroom.
00:19:31A week later, I was finishing another mock exam.
00:19:34Boom.
00:19:34The entire house shook.
00:19:36I ran to the window.
00:19:37The house next door was on fire.
00:19:39Black smoke rolling off it.
00:19:40That was Papa Nico's place.
00:19:42The bedroom door burst open.
00:19:43Papa Sal grabbed me away from the glass.
00:19:45Emma!
00:19:46Safe room.
00:19:47Now!
00:19:48Papa Nico!
00:19:49Hurt.
00:19:49But he'll live.
00:19:51They've started.
00:19:54The basement had become a reinforced safe room.
00:19:56On the wall of monitors, black shapes were moving up the street from every direction.
00:20:00My dads were already in position.
00:20:02Papa Marco was calling in support, flat and calm.
00:20:05Papa Enzo was pulling files at speed.
00:20:07Papa Tony rolled his wrists and grinned with his scar.
00:20:10It's been a long time.
00:20:12My eyes locked on one screen.
00:20:14Papa!
00:20:14I think I can help.
00:20:15He turned around.
00:20:16I pointed at the masked commander.
00:20:18I know him.
00:20:19He's our new gym teacher.
00:20:21I pulled up the bathroom footage, froze it on the frame where I shoved Claire's friend off me.
00:20:25Her sleeve had ridden up.
00:20:26Inside the wrist, the corner of a tattoo.
00:20:29He has a scorpion on his left hand.
00:20:32Same one that girl had.
00:20:33I thought I imagined it.
00:20:34Papa Enzo's fingers went across the keyboard.
00:20:36Seconds later, the image filled the screen.
00:20:38That's the scorpion organization.
00:20:40They've had people inside Southport for a month.
00:20:42Papa Sal looked at me.
00:20:43Frightened, impressed, and under all of it, proud.
00:20:46You're sharper than we thought, girl.
00:20:48Gunfire opened up outside.
00:20:50They were ready for it.
00:20:51Papa Leo's men made the first line.
00:20:53Papa Marco's elements swept in from the flank, clean and fast.
00:20:56Further out, Papa Sean's contractors sealed every exit off the block.
00:21:00I sat on a cold chair and watched the muzzle flashes cross.
00:21:04My hands shook and my eyes didn't move.
00:21:06Then, boom.
00:21:07Three masked men came through with rifles up.
00:21:09All three barrels found me.
00:21:12My mind went blank.
00:21:13The ceiling panel slid open without a sound.
00:21:16Papa Gio came down out of the ductwork, upside down in black kit.
00:21:20You dare point that at my daughter?!
00:21:22One man against the wrist, and he moved so fast he smeared.
00:21:25I threw myself at the wall and slammed the red alarm.
00:21:28The siren tore through the basement.
00:21:30In three seconds, the room was full of my dad's.
00:21:33It was over in half an hour.
00:21:34Twelve infiltrators, the gym teacher included, all taken alive.
00:21:38In the room downstairs, he sat tied to a chair, bleeding, still smiling.
00:21:43We're the advance element.
00:21:44The main body is staging at the border waiting on our signal.
00:21:47You can't guard this girl forever.
00:21:49Who said forever?
00:21:50He took out his phone.
00:21:51Marco, did the warrants come through?
00:21:52That was when I learned the truth.
00:21:54Papa Marco had spent three days assembling a joint task force.
00:21:58Every Scorpion account, safe house, and shipping route was exposed.
00:22:02At 4am, they stormed the camp.
00:22:0461 arrests.
00:22:05By the time the news broke, the Scorpion no longer existed.
00:22:08Papa Sal hung up and looked at me.
00:22:10Last lesson I'll teach you, kid.
00:22:12Best defense is making sure your enemies never dare come back.
00:22:16That night I couldn't sleep.
00:22:18I came out and found him alone in the living room with a cigarette.
00:22:21Papa.
00:22:21I looked at his bloodshot eyes.
00:22:23I want to learn to fight.
00:22:24I breathed in and said the thing I'd been holding for weeks.
00:22:27And I want to learn how to run the family businesses.
00:22:29His hand jumped.
00:22:30The cigarette shook.
00:22:31Okay.
00:22:32We will teach you all of it.
00:22:33From that day, my life split in half.
00:22:35Daytime, I was an ordinary student with her head in a book.
00:22:38Nights, I went from dad to dad.
00:22:40Hand to hand, finance, law, intelligence.
00:22:43And I found out I loved it.
00:22:45Graduation morning, all of them put on matching red shirts that said,
00:22:48The convoy went from my front door to the auditorium.
00:22:51A convoy of luxury vehicles, armored trucks, three supercars, and a mysterious recovery vehicle.
00:22:57Reporters put their cameras on Papa Sal.
00:23:00He was perfectly calm.
00:23:01Regular family.
00:23:02Just here to cheer for our girl.
00:23:03The reporter looked at the armored truck and went silent.
00:23:06In the auditorium, the principal read my name, and I walked up to the podium as valedictorian.
00:23:11I talked fast.
00:23:11When I got to the thank yous, 108 faces went through my head.
00:23:15Hard ones, gentle ones, ridiculous ones.
00:23:18I told them about an abandoned baby and a room full of killers who saved each other.
00:23:23I told them about 10 years of men clawing their way toward daylight.
00:23:27I told them how they traded knives for pens and guns for ledgers, for me.
00:23:31I told them how I tried to live in the sun, for them.
00:23:34The tears came down.
00:23:35The proctor walked over, said nothing, and set two tissues on the corner of my desk.
00:23:39That night, the house threw a party.
00:23:41I put my next step plans down in front of 108 men.
00:23:44I want the best military academy.
00:23:46Papa Marco dropped his glass.
00:23:48His eyes went red.
00:23:49My girl's going to be an officer?
00:23:51I nodded.
00:23:52Then a second degree.
00:23:53Law.
00:23:54Behind the wire glasses, Papa Enzo fogged up completely.
00:23:57I said,
00:23:58And after that, finance.
00:23:59Papa Leo covered his face and cried through his fingers.
00:24:02I laughed at all of them.
00:24:04And I want to start an anti-bullying foundation.
00:24:06Clean money.
00:24:08Going to kids like I was.
00:24:09108 hard men sat in that living room and sobbed.
00:24:15Our girl, our girl, our girl, our girl turned out.
00:24:19The day my acceptance came, so did a letter from a behavioral school.
00:24:23Claire said she'd studied psychology there, and finally understood how twisted and small she'd been.
00:24:29She said the school ran a tutoring program in the mountains.
00:24:32She'd stood in front of kids who were actually poor, in actual rags, working themselves half to death to learn,
00:24:38and she couldn't look at them.
00:24:40Emma, I'm not asking you to forgive me, but thank you for giving me a second chance.
00:24:44In three years, if I'm good enough, I'd like to volunteer at your foundation.
00:24:49I turned the page over and wrote,
00:24:51I'll be waiting.
00:24:52That summer, I started taking over pieces of the business.
00:24:56That's when I found out what my dads had been doing anonymously for years.
00:25:00Thirty-two schools built.
00:25:01Over a thousand kids put through college.
00:25:04The largest veteran re-employment fund in the country.
00:25:07I read the reports until my eyes burned.
00:25:09Papa Sal stood behind me.
00:25:11Every dollar we make has to be one we can look at.
00:25:14You taught us that.
00:25:15That's when I finally understood.
00:25:17All those years, I was skipping meals, thinking they were bleeding for money,
00:25:21planning to take care of them one day.
00:25:23They were killing themselves to get clean, because I was simple and I was kind,
00:25:27and they wanted to hand me a world with the lights on.
00:25:30The night before I left, 108 men lined up in front of me.
00:25:36Everyone had a gift.
00:25:37Papa Sal handed me a heavy key.
00:25:39The vault. Spend it. If it runs out, we'll make more.
00:25:42Papa Marco took off his own emblem and pinned it to my chest.
00:25:45Trouble you can't solve? You show them that.
00:25:47The whole division is behind you.
00:25:49Papa Enzo gave me a small badge.
00:25:51Federal Juvenile Court. Special Observer. Go break some bullies.
00:25:54I stood there holding a mountain of gifts,
00:25:56looking at 108 faces that couldn't let go.
00:25:59If I got to pick a family, I'd pick you.
00:26:02Every time.
00:26:03108 men went red-eyed at once and shouted with everything they had.
00:26:07We'd find you anyway!
00:26:09Five years later, I met him, Damien, an Interpol liaison officer.
00:26:13He'd worked the Scorpion case alongside Papa Marco.
00:26:16He admired how tough I was. He respected the 108 men behind me more.
00:26:21The first time he came to dinner, we set nine tables.
00:26:24They took him one at a time, like an interrogation.
00:26:26They started with how much he could drink and finished with his great-grandparents.
00:26:30He survived all of it. At the end, he looked at 108 pairs of eyes and said one thing.
00:26:35I'll protect her with my life. Same as you.
00:26:39Every hard man in that room went red-eyed. We married on Papa Vito's island. The aisle was very long.
00:26:44108 dads lined up and walked me down it in turns. One meter each. At the end, Papa Sal put
00:26:50my hand in Damien's.
00:26:51She's yours, kid. But understand something. She is always the daughter of 108 men.
00:26:57When we exchanged rings, the sky started roaring. 108 helicopters spelled out four words above the water.
00:27:04Happy wedding day, Emma.
00:27:07Months pass.
00:27:08Outside the hospital delivery room, Damien and my 108 dads paced the hallway, anxiously waiting.
00:27:14None of them dared to breathe.
00:27:15Finally, a baby's cry rang out. The delivery room door swung open.
00:27:20She's here! It's a baby girl!
00:27:23The moment they saw me, all of them rushed over.
00:27:25Emma, are you alright? Does anything hurt? Do you need anything?
00:27:28Damien leaned over and gently held my hand.
00:27:30You did great.
00:27:31I smiled weakly.
00:27:32I'm fine. Go see the baby.
00:27:35Before anyone else could react, Papa Sal pushed through and took the baby from my arms.
00:27:39He looked down at the tiny, sleeping face, eyes filled with tears.
00:27:43Hey guys! She looks exactly like Emma when she was little!
00:27:46Those tough men melted instantly. They crowded around my baby, fighting for a turn.
00:27:50Hey! Alright, alright. Let me hold her!
00:27:53Papa Marco hip-checked him aside.
00:27:55Screw you. I'm next.
00:27:57Damien pushed his way through the sea of broad shoulders.
00:28:00Excuse me? That's my daughter. I am the father.
00:28:04A massive hand shoved him against the wall. Papa Marco didn't even look at him.
00:28:08Wait your turn, kid. The grand eyes are bonding.
00:28:12Oh, please. I haven't even seen her yet.
00:28:14Shh, shh, shh.
00:28:15Papa Enzo covered his mouth.
00:28:16Quiet. You'll startle the baby.
00:28:22Emma. What are we naming her?
00:28:25I smiled.
00:28:26How about Mia?
00:28:27Oh, sweet name.
00:28:29Papa Sal kissed the baby's forehead.
00:28:30Welcome to the family, Mia.
00:28:32I laughed. Damien could only watch helplessly.
00:28:36The Falcone estate wasn't a retired mafia stronghold anymore.
00:28:40It was the most heavily guarded nursery on earth. From my bed, I watched the live security feed
00:28:45on my tablet. In the kitchen, Papa Leo held a tiny baby bottle. He aimed a military-grade
00:28:51thermal scanner directly at the milk.
00:28:5398.6 degrees. Absolutely perfect.
00:28:58You heated it too fast, Leo. You're ruining the proteins.
00:29:02Come on. I run a billion dollar bank, Vito. I know how to heat milk.
00:29:06I softly, holding sleeping Mia against my chest.
00:29:09Upstairs, 20 armed men guarded my hallway, but they never noticed the shadow moving across the roof.
00:29:15Damien was dressed in pitch black tactical gear. To see his own wife and daughter, my husband had gone
00:29:20full stealth mode. I watched him expertly bypass the perimeter motion sensors outside.
00:29:25He carefully disabled the invisible laser grid on our balcony. He slipped through our bedroom
00:29:29window without making a sound. I couldn't help but smile. He'd gone through all that just to see us.
00:29:35He took off his mask and at me.
00:29:38Honey, I-
00:29:39He took one step forward. Suddenly, a cold gun barrel pressed against the top of his head.
00:29:44Freeze, intruder.
00:29:45Damien and raised his hands.
00:29:51He slowly looked up. Papa Gio was hanging upside down from the ventilation duct above him. Gun in
00:29:57one hand, a pink pacifier in the other. Gio.
00:30:00Damien pushed the gun off his head. This is my own bedroom.
00:30:03Gio lowered the gun, but didn't blink. Sorry, husbands need level 4 clearance after 8 o'clock.
00:30:08I couldn't hold back my laughter anymore. All right, Dad, cut it out.
00:30:11I said, putting Mia safely in her crib. Gio dropped lightly to the floor and handed me the pacifier.
00:30:17Just keeping you safe, Emma. I didn't want him disturbing you too. Sleep tight.
00:30:22Gio slipped out the door, leaving me alone with Damien. He sighed heavily.
00:30:26Why is it so damn hard to see my own wife and kid?
00:30:29I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.
00:30:32Isn't this thrilling?
00:30:33Just then, my phone buzzed. I checked it. It was an emergency foundation meeting. The next day,
00:30:39I sat at the head of the freezing boardroom. Mr. Sterling, a ruthless business tycoon,
00:30:43slammed a folder onto my table.
00:30:4550 million for your foundation. I want three seats on the board.
00:30:49I sat at the head of the mahogany table, unfazed.
00:30:51We are not for sale.
00:30:52Sterling suddenly slammed one hand onto my desk.
00:30:55Listen, you little brat. You got lucky. Your criminal daddies picked you up and took you in.
00:31:00Who do you think you are? This is the real business world.
00:31:04Know your place. You don't have what it takes to play this game.
00:31:08I finally looked up.
00:31:09Funny. I was about to say the same thing.
00:31:12I pressed a button beneath my desk. The door suddenly slammed open.
00:31:17Claire walked in wearing a razor sharp red suit. She slammed a thick stack of legal papers
00:31:22right into Sterling's face. The papers scattered across the floor.
00:31:26Sterling jerked back.
00:31:27What the hell is this?
00:31:28Claire gave him a cold, terrifying smile.
00:31:31That is a hostile takeover of your parent company, Mr. Sterling.
00:31:34Your stocks just dropped 40% in the last 10 minutes.
00:31:37I let out a cold laugh.
00:31:39You thought you could buy me with 50 million?
00:31:41Claire sneered.
00:31:42Too bad.
00:31:44You're bankrupt, Sterling. You couldn't buy a cup of coffee right now.
00:31:47Sterling's face turned ash gray. Panic filled his eyes as he looked at me.
00:31:51Emma, you can't do this. Do you have any idea who I am?
00:31:55I grabbed him by the tie and slammed him against the wall.
00:31:59You insulted my fathers and everything I've built.
00:32:02Then I slowly walked over and planted my foot on his chest.
00:32:05Did you really think I was someone you could push around?
00:32:07I turned to Claire.
00:32:09Claire, have security throw this trash out.
00:32:11Ten minutes later, I watched the garage security feed on my tablet.
00:32:15Sterling was thrown onto the concrete. He pulled out his phone with shaking hands.
00:32:19I couldn't hear the call, but I could see his face. His panic slowly turned into a sinister smile.
00:32:25Then he looked straight at my security camera. He mouthed a few words,
00:32:28You're dead meat.
00:32:30A black armored van screeched to a halt beside him. Two men dragged him inside.
00:32:34As the van door slammed shut, my blood ran cold. On the side of the driver's neck was a black
00:32:40viper tattoo.
00:32:43Three years passed in the blink of an eye. Mia was now three years old.
00:32:47She had my eyes, Damien's stubborn streak, and 108 grandpas wrapped around her little finger.
00:32:53I was reviewing files when Damien burst through my office door. His face was completely pale.
00:32:58His breathing was ragged.
00:32:59Emma, lock down the estate. Right now.
00:33:02We've been targeted.
00:33:03He slammed a decrypted Interpol file onto my desk.
00:33:06I opened the file. Clipped to the front was a surveillance photo taken yesterday.
00:33:11My eyes widened.
00:33:13Mia?
00:33:14She was standing outside her elite preschool.
00:33:16Clutching a teddy bear. A blood red X was scrawled across my daughter's face.
00:33:21I grabbed Damien by the arms.
00:33:22Honey, what happened?
00:33:25He gently covered my hands.
00:33:27The Scorpion organization survived. They joined forces with the Viper Syndicate.
00:33:31They've spent three years planning their revenge. And now, they've found our weak spot.
00:33:37My blood ran cold. Then my fear turned into fury. I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out my
00:33:43gun.
00:33:44They're begging to die.
00:33:45Then I opened the glass case on my wall and slammed my hand onto the red button.
00:33:50The war siren howled through the entire Falcone estate. Damien racked his pistol.
00:33:56Those bastards. They picked the wrong family.
00:33:59I looked at the photo of my daughter, my voice cold.
00:34:03They really think they can come after our girl? It's us and 108 killers behind her? Let's show them.
00:34:09By the time Damien and I skidded up to the preschool, it was already happening. A black van idled by
00:34:15the gate.
00:34:15Six men in fake security uniforms had Mia cornered against the fence.
00:34:20Come on, sweetheart. Your mommy sent us.
00:34:23Mia didn't move. She looked at the candy, then at him.
00:34:26Mommy never sends strangers. And my driver always smells like sweet cookies.
00:34:32The man's smile flickered.
00:34:33What?
00:34:34You don't smell like cookies. You smell yucky.
00:34:37His smile vanished.
00:34:39Old gardener dropped his shears in the dirt.
00:34:41The janitor on the front stairs slowly raised his head.
00:34:44The friendly chef by the cafeteria door threw off his apron.
00:34:47Both ends of the street sealed shut.
00:34:49A hundred and eight men walked out of the shadows.
00:34:52Out of the vans.
00:34:52Out of the side streets.
00:34:54The janitor set his mop down and cracked his knuckles.
00:34:56It was Papa Sal.
00:34:57He looked at the man holding Mia.
00:34:59You really thought we were gone?
00:35:00How dare you lay a hand to our sweet granddaughter?
00:35:05Papa Sal moved fast.
00:35:06Ten seconds. That was all it took.
00:35:08Six armed mercenaries were down.
00:35:10I rushed to Mia.
00:35:11Papa Enzo had already scooped her into his arms.
00:35:14Grandpa!
00:35:15Papa Enzo kissed the top of her head.
00:35:17All the steel in his face melted away.
00:35:19Hey, princess.
00:35:20Look at Grandpa.
00:35:21Nobody's taking you anywhere.
00:35:23Papa Dante leaned down to look at her.
00:35:25The bad guys are gone, sweetheart.
00:35:27You did so good.
00:35:29You were so brave.
00:35:31Mia sniffled.
00:35:32Braver than Grandpa Gio?
00:35:34Way braver.
00:35:35From inside the van, Gio yelled.
00:35:37I heard that!
00:35:38Mia giggled.
00:35:39That little laugh made all of us finally relax.
00:35:42Then, Papa Sal pried the earpiece off the leader and handed it to me.
00:35:46I slipped it into my ear.
00:35:48Silence.
00:35:49Why is it so quiet over there?
00:35:50You got the kid?
00:35:51This is Emma.
00:35:52You want my daughter?
00:35:53Come get her yourself.
00:35:54I dropped the earpiece and crushed it under my boot.
00:35:56That night, Mia finally slept, safe in the estate.
00:35:59But Papa Sal was still awake.
00:36:01At 2am, he called us down to the war room.
00:36:03His face was cold.
00:36:04Those men knew our patrol gaps.
00:36:07Our shift changes.
00:36:08Our blind spots.
00:36:10Emma.
00:36:11Look at this.
00:36:13I leaned closer.
00:36:14A grainy image filled the screen.
00:36:17A figure stood by the wall, phone in hand.
00:36:20I knew that face.
00:36:24I stared at the security footage in disbelief.
00:36:27It was Mr. Sterling.
00:36:28The disgraced tycoon I'd bankrupt three years ago.
00:36:31Bankrupt and bitter, he'd gone to Viper and sold them our schedules.
00:36:33Our shift changes.
00:36:34Our blind spots.
00:36:36Everything they needed to strike us.
00:36:37So this is his revenge.
00:36:38He couldn't beat us, so he sold us to killers.
00:36:40Papa Sal racked his pistol.
00:36:42That damn bastard.
00:36:44Give me 10 minutes with him.
00:36:45No.
00:36:46No, Dad.
00:36:48Bullets are too good for him.
00:36:50Leave this to me.
00:36:51I dropped into the war room's main terminal.
00:36:54My fingers flew across the keyboard.
00:36:56Viper's offshore network opened before me.
00:36:58Their accounts.
00:36:59Their shell companies.
00:37:00Their weapons fund.
00:37:02I locked it all down.
00:37:03Then I drained every dollar in their war chest into our charity fund.
00:37:06Oh, that's my girl.
00:37:08See?
00:37:08All those lessons from us didn't go to waste.
00:37:11I pulled up their encrypted comms.
00:37:12A satellite map bloomed across the display.
00:37:15Three red coordinates, flashing.
00:37:17I grinned at Papa Sal.
00:37:19Found them.
00:37:20Three hidden armories.
00:37:21Damien picked up his highly encrypted Interpol radio.
00:37:23Director.
00:37:24Requesting authorization for immediate tactical strike.
00:37:27Third Division.
00:37:28Burn it all.
00:37:29But before the jets could even launch,
00:37:31the ground beneath us shook violently.
00:37:33Every perimeter alarm on the estate began to scream.
00:37:41It's a suicide run.
00:37:47They're desperate.
00:37:48They'll do anything now.
00:37:50I didn't even notice Mia had come in.
00:37:52Rubbing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around me.
00:37:55Mommy?
00:37:56Is it the thunder again?
00:37:58I knelt and smoothed her hair, my voice soft.
00:38:00Yeah, baby.
00:38:01Just thunder.
00:38:02We're chasing it away.
00:38:03Papa Enzo scooped her up and turned her face into his shoulder.
00:38:07Close your eyes, princess.
00:38:09Count to ten with grandpa.
00:38:11On the screen, a mercenary climbed onto a truck roof.
00:38:14He shouldered an RPG and aimed at the second floor, Mia's window.
00:38:17What the hell?
00:38:19The mercenary pulled the trigger.
00:38:20The RPG screamed through the night.
00:38:22I didn't blink.
00:38:23I knew what was buried in our yard.
00:38:25The manicured lawn split open.
00:38:26An automated Gatling gun rose from the grass and tore into the sky.
00:38:30The blast lit up the whole estate.
00:38:32Fire rained harmless onto the lawn.
00:38:34She was still counting into Enzo's collar.
00:38:36Nine, ten.
00:38:38Did it work?
00:38:39Enzo kissed her forehead.
00:38:40Always does.
00:38:41I grabbed a sniper rifle off the rack.
00:38:44Damien, left flank.
00:38:46Dads, center.
00:38:47I kicked the terrace doors open and dropped to one knee.
00:38:49Through the thermal scope, I found the Viper leader stepping out of his truck.
00:38:53And I finally saw the face under the mask.
00:38:58Dads, it's Silas.
00:39:00My old gym teacher's brother.
00:39:02So he crawled back for revenge?
00:39:03I aimed directly at the truck's main control panel.
00:39:06Squeezed the trigger.
00:39:08Silas' command truck blew apart.
00:39:10Damien signaled his team and moved to cut them off.
00:39:13Drop your weapons!
00:39:14It's over!
00:39:15Faced with overwhelming numbers,
00:39:17most of the mercenaries threw up their hands.
00:39:19But I saw Silas slip into the shadows.
00:39:21He limped up the back stairs, bypassing the main yard.
00:39:25Straight for the nursery.
00:39:27I dropped my rifle and sprinted down the hallway.
00:39:29My heart hammered against my ribs.
00:39:32Papa Enzo had just taken Mia up there to rest.
00:39:35Silas kicked the nursery door open before I could reach it.
00:39:38He expected to find a terrified little girl cowering in the corner.
00:39:41Instead, he froze.
00:39:42I skidded to a halt right behind him, blocking his exit.
00:39:46Inside the room, Papa Sal, Papa Enzo, and Papa Leo sat on the pink sofa, waiting.
00:39:52They were calmly having a little tea party with Mia.
00:39:54Mia pointed a chubby finger at Silas and…
00:39:59Grandpa's, the yucky man is here!
00:40:01Papa Sal carefully set his tiny pink teacup down.
00:40:05You walked into the wrong room, dead man.
00:40:09I slammed the heavy steel hilt of my knife into Silas's gun hand.
00:40:14The bone gave.
00:40:16Not in front of the baby.
00:40:18Papa Marco was already beside Damien, pressing a trauma pad against his wound.
00:40:23Medic! We need a medic up here!
00:40:25You took a bullet for our sweetie. Hang in there, son.
00:40:28He looked down at my bleeding husband, his fierce eyes softening.
00:40:32Damien managed a weak smirk, then passed out.
00:40:35Ten minutes later, Damien was in surgery.
00:40:38I stood silently in the hall. The door suddenly swung open.
00:40:42Two of Papa Leo's men dragged a whimpering man inside and threw him onto the floor.
00:40:47Mr. Sterling tried to crawl away.
00:40:49Papa Leo planted his boot on Sterling's chest.
00:40:53You called my daughter dead meat, huh?
00:40:55He leaned closer.
00:40:57Look at you now. Lying on my floor like a dog.
00:41:00Silas, still kneeling in chains, spat blood and laughed.
00:41:03You haven't won. We've still got backup coming.
00:41:06Sterling nodded frantically.
00:41:09That's right. Let us go, Emma. Be smart about this.
00:41:13I smiled and pulled out my phone.
00:41:14Take down Viper's headquarters. Tonight? I want them wiped out for good.
00:41:20That night, Viper ceased to exist. Papa Enzo wiped their offshore servers.
00:41:25Papa Marco's strike team leveled their safe houses. Damien's Interpol unit handled the rest.
00:41:31By dawn, the city was clean. I sat beside Damien's bed. His eyes slowly opened. He tried to sit up,
00:41:37but winced. Stay down. Stay down.
00:41:41He looked past my shoulder. Through the glass walls he saw them.
00:41:45One hundred eight armed men, all sleeping on the cold floor, guarding his room all night.
00:41:50The door pushed open. Papa Sal walked in. He tossed an apple onto Damien's chest.
00:41:57Next time, move faster. Don't bleed on my granddaughter's carpet again.
00:42:01He paused, then, then cleared his throat.
00:42:08Good job, son. Damien smiled. Then, a tiny figure squeezed past Papa Sal.
00:42:14Mia ran in, clutching her teddy bear. She scrambled up the bed and kissed Damien's cheek.
00:42:20Daddy, you're a superhero.
00:42:22Outside the glass, my dads pressed their faces against the window. They looked completely devastated
00:42:28by jealousy. Mia turned to me, tugging my sleeve. Mommy, are the bad guys all gone?
00:42:33I smoothed her hair and nodded. Yes, baby. She beamed. Then can Daddy take me to school today?
00:42:40Outside the window, those hard men instantly froze.
00:42:46Finally, Damien was fully recovered. The day his bandages came off,
00:42:50Mia ran over and hugged his leg. Daddy, you haven't taken me to school in forever.
00:42:54Take Mia today, please. At that, Papa Marco suddenly stopped mid-step. I opened my mouth,
00:43:01but he bolted before I could say a word. I just shrugged and let it go. That morning,
00:43:05Damien drove Mia to preschool. I sat in the passenger seat. My dads had promised to stay home,
00:43:11but three blacked-out SUVs were trailing closely behind us. I genowed. My 108 dads were terrible at
00:43:17letting go. Damien checked his rear-view mirror and smirked. He tapped a few keys on his secure terminal.
00:43:23Watch this. He hit the gas, took a hard right, and vanished into morning traffic. Then he hacked
00:43:29into their radio frequency. A goofy kid's song blasted from the three SUVs behind us.
00:43:35I laughed until my ribs hurt. We dropped Mia off safely at the gates. She immediately grabbed the
00:43:41hand of a shy little girl named Lily. Be good, my little princess. Everything seemed perfectly normal,
00:43:46until three o'clock. Damien and I were waiting at the school gate. Suddenly, Lily ran out crying.
00:43:52She pointed toward the back playground. It's Brady! He took my lunchbox! Mia tried to stop him,
00:43:59but he pushed her down! The air around Damien turned ice cold. He took off toward the playground.
00:44:05I rushed after him. My phone buzzed. It was Papa Sal.
00:44:11We heard. Who dared mess with our baby?
00:44:16We rushed into the playground. Instead, we all froze. Mia wasn't crying.
00:44:22And don't ever touch Lily's lunch again. Yes, boss.
00:44:26She stood on top of the play structure, hands on her hips. Brady, the school bully,
00:44:31stood below her. He was handing her a stack of lollipops.
00:44:34She's running her own little protection business. That's my blood. Truly my blood.
00:44:39I shook my head and walked over, then crouched to Mia's eye level. Mia, we protect the weak.
00:44:46We don't rule them. New rule. Say sorry to Lily. Give her lunchbox back.
00:44:51Sorry, Lily. Brady handed the lunchbox to Lily and mumbled an apology.
00:44:55Good. Now we're friends. Mia patted his head like a tiny godfather.
00:44:59My dads burst out laughing. A few of them even pulled out their phones to record it.
00:45:04Late that night, I was in my study going over files. The door creaked open. Papa Sal walked in,
00:45:10carrying something. It was the same battered basket he'd found me in all those years ago.
00:45:15His eyes were completely red.
00:45:18Emma. We need to talk.
00:45:21Papa Sal set the battered basket on my desk. He ran a rough hand over the worn handle.
00:45:26Every time I look at Mia, I think of you. We made you go through too much when you were
00:45:30a kid.
00:45:31We're sorry, Emma. My eyes stung.
00:45:33I never blamed you. Papa Sal gave me a smile.
00:45:36We know. He reached into the basket and pulled out a stack of sealed envelopes.
00:45:41We prepared these years ago, for the day we might not be around anymore.
00:45:45I froze, staring at the envelopes. Dad? Papa Sal went on.
00:45:49We've already made arrangement. Our money, our properties, everything. Even if we're gone,
00:45:58you'll never be left with nothing. My throat tightened as I wrapped my arms around him.
00:46:04Papa. Papa Sal gently patted my head. My good girl.
00:46:08Then he glanced toward the hallway. Damien was standing there. Papa Sal's expression softened.
00:46:13You've got good taste, Emma.
00:46:16With that, he turned and walked out. I watched him go, my eyes fixed on his back.
00:46:21As he passed Damien, Papa Sal stopped. He looked at Damien for a long moment.
00:46:26Damien's expression tightened. Then, Papa Sal brought his hand down hard on his shoulder.
00:46:32Good job, son. Damien blinked. Papa Sal turned away, hiding his red eyes.
00:46:37Don't let us down.
00:46:41The next morning was the preschool parent open day. The final activity was a lost child drill.
00:46:47The teacher blew a whistle.
00:46:50Parents, you have ten minutes to find your kids.
00:46:53My dad scattered instantly. Papa Gio peeked into every classroom.
00:46:57Papa Enzo was already checking under tables. Papa Marco inspected the air ducts.
00:47:02Damien stood still in the middle of the hall. He closed his eyes and listened. His ears twitched.
00:47:07Then, he snapped his eyes open and headed straight for the janitor's closet.
00:47:12He reached for the doorknob, then stopped. He took two steps back and gave a sharp whistle.
00:47:18Papa Enzo came running. He yanked open the door.
00:47:21Found you, sweetie!
00:47:23Mia jumped right into his arms, giggling.
00:47:26Damien stood a few steps away, watching with a quiet smile.
00:47:29Papa Marco walked past Damien and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
00:47:33Good man.
00:47:33Back in the classroom, the teacher asked the kids to present their drawings.
00:47:37Mia struggled to carry a huge poster board to the front. It was covered in 111 tiny stick figures.
00:47:44I couldn't fit everyone.
00:47:45Mia pouted. The room erupted into laughter.
00:47:49Then, the classroom door suddenly burst open. Claire hurried over and whispered in my ear.
00:47:55Emma, we have a major problem with the Foundation Gala.
00:48:00Claire handed me a folder.
00:48:02Take a look.
00:48:03I opened the file. A polished philanthropist smiled back at me from the photo.
00:48:08He's Viper's last proxy. He bought a front row VIP seat under a shell company. He's planning to
00:48:13expose the Falcone family's mafia television. Papa Marco's hand went to his pistol.
00:48:17He's going to expose us? That little rat. I'll put him down myself. Let him see what we're still
00:48:22capable of. Papa Gio slipped on his gloves. I'll clean house. I never leave a trace. I can make it
00:48:27look like an accident. I raised my hand. No, Dad's. The room instantly fell silent. I looked at the photo
00:48:32again. That's exactly what he wants. Let him come. Let him talk. We'll make sure everyone hears him.
00:48:40Later that night, I returned to my study and locked the door. I booted up my secure terminal and started
00:48:45typing. Lines of code reflected in my eyes. If Viper wanted a show, I'd give them a masterpiece.
00:48:51Hours later, I hit the final enter key. The screen flashed green. Papa Sal knocked softly.
00:48:58Emma? Do you need us to do anything?
00:49:00I opened the door, gave him a smile. Tomorrow, you just hold your signs. Leave the rest to me.
00:49:06The gala was broadcast live, coast to coast. The grand ballroom was packed with politicians,
00:49:12celebrities, and cameras. My dad's filled the center section. Quit fidgeting.
00:49:18Our girl's about to speak. 109 men in tailored tuxedos sat among the VIP guests,
00:49:24yet they looked completely out of place. Scarred hands, cold eyes, bow ties pulled a little too tight.
00:49:30Papa Marco kept tugging at his collar. Papa Vito slapped his hand away. Damien sat between them,
00:49:35looking thoroughly exasperated. I almost laughed. Then Claire leaned in and whispered,
00:49:40He's here. I didn't react, just glanced toward the front row. Viper's last proxy had taken the VIP
00:49:46seat we'd reserved. Let him. I gave Claire a small nod. She stepped away. I turned to the audience and
00:49:52tapped the mic. Welcome, everyone. Tonight, we celebrate every child this foundation pulled out
00:50:00of the dark. Warm applause filled the ballroom. Then I fixed my gaze on the man in the front row.
00:50:04And tonight, I promise you an evening no one forgets. Bullshit!
00:50:09Right on cue, the proxy pushed back his chair. The applause died. Every camera swung toward him.
00:50:16My dads didn't move. They already knew this was coming. Do you people know where the Falcone
00:50:21family's money really came from? He spun toward the cameras,
00:50:24playing it up for the whole country. It's soaked in blood. Every dollar of it.
00:50:30And I've got proof. The proxy pressed a button on his remote. The screen behind me exploded to life.
00:50:37Grainy footage flashed across it. Shootings. Weapons. Illegal shipments. The crowd.
00:50:43Papa Marco's hand slipped inside his jacket. I raised my hand and he stopped. I smiled. Then I
00:50:49pulled out my phone and pressed one button. The screen behind me glitched. Once. Twice. Then the
00:50:55footage disappeared. Our story. A battered basket sitting on a rainy porch. Those same terrifying
00:51:01men sitting in night school, struggling to write essays. 32 schools we'd built. A thousand orphans
00:51:07given college funds. We didn't erase our past. We faced it. I looked straight at the proxy. Then we
00:51:14used it to build something better. The proxy froze, frantically clicking his remote. That's fake!
00:51:22You can check their offshore accounts! Damien stepped out of the crowd. He pulled out his Interpol badge.
00:51:30We already did. And guess what? We found all of Viper's laundering trails.
00:51:35Two federal agents grabbed the proxy before he could say another word. He fought. He screamed. It didn't
00:51:41matter. They dragged him away in front of the cameras. The ballroom erupted into a standing ovation.
00:51:48Cameras flashed non-stop, capturing Viper's last puppet being dragged away. Then, the door burst
00:51:55open. A terrified nanny stumbled in, clutching Mia in her arms. Ma'am, I'm so sorry. She woke up and
00:52:01realized none of you were home. She kept crying and begging me to bring her here. I couldn't bear to
00:52:06see her cry, so I did. Mia's little face scrunched into a furious pout. The moment
00:52:11Mia spotted us, she threw up her little hand. Mommy! Daddy! Grandpa! The nanny hurried down
00:52:17the aisle with her. The crowd parted for them. Damien was already rushing down the stage steps.
00:52:23He scooped Mia into his arms. You couldn't miss the party, could you?
00:52:27My dads crowded around the stage, their tough faces melting instantly. The cameras swung toward the
00:52:32adorable scene. A reporter rushed forward and shoved a microphone toward Mia. Oh, sweetheart!
00:52:38What an amazing family you've got! So tell us, little princess, what do you want to be when you grow
00:52:45up? All of us fell silent. Mia stared at the microphone. Then she looked at Damien. Then at me.
00:52:51Then at my 108 dads. She took a deep breath. Everyone leaned closer.
00:52:58Mia gripped the microphone with both of her tiny hands.
00:53:01I want to be exactly like my mommy. She's the smartest and bravest in the world.
00:53:07My daddy is a real superhero. And my grandpas are the strongest. So I'm going to grow up big
00:53:14and strong and protect them right back so they never have to work so hard again.
00:53:19For a second, nobody moved. Then, 109 hardened, terrifying men completely broke down. Tears streamed
00:53:27down their scarred faces on live national television. Papa Sal laughed. She really said she'd protect us.
00:53:35That's our girl. Papa Marco sobbed openly, digging frantically through his pockets for a tissue.
00:53:41Papa Vito tilted his head back, pretending to study the chandelier. Must be the damn dust in here.
00:53:47I'm not crying. Papa Enzo turned away and said, but his shoulders were shaking. The entire row of
00:53:54Papas collapsed. Some laughed. Some cried. One even hugged the man beside him without warning.
00:54:00The ballroom erupted in laughter and applause. I smiled until my cheeks hurt. Then I wiped away the
00:54:07tear slipping down my cheek. Damien chuckled, kissed Mia on the cheek, then slipped an arm around my waist.
00:54:15Papa Sal called a family meeting. We never gave Emma a family day. The room went quiet.
00:54:21All these years and we never once celebrated the day she called us Papa.
00:54:25By noon, the estate was a disaster. Papa Marco backed a truck up to the door.
00:54:30Where do you want the balloons? It was 10,000 balloons. Papa Vito had turned the ballroom into a
00:54:37full casino. A little poker never hurt a party. Papa Leo carefully piped the final swirl of frosting
00:54:43onto the cake. Perfect. Not a single flaw. Damien carried chairs across the lawn.
00:54:48Son, move that table left. Son, now right. Damien just smiled and moved it. Then,
00:54:55the front gate buzzed. A man walked up the driveway with a long camera lens over his shoulder.
00:55:00Contact. Optic. Westgate. That's a scope. Down! Everybody down!
00:55:04Papa Gio pinned the man to the floor in half a second. Who sent you?
00:55:07I'm the photographer! Emma booked me for the family portrait!
00:55:12Silence. Papa Gio climbed off him.
00:55:16Sorry. Level four clearance after eight.
00:55:18I covered my face and laughed. Good. He's here. That means the special guest is close too.
00:55:27The doorbell rang. I opened the door and froze. Claire stood there,
00:55:32her arms wrapped around a huge box. Emma, they're for your dad's.
00:55:39She set the box down and opened it. Cards. Thousands of them. Every child the Foundation
00:55:45had ever saved had written one. Papa Marco picked up one card, then another. He covered his face.
00:55:52Damn. This is touching. The photographer leaned over to look at the cards. Then the arguing started.
00:56:00I'm center of the portrait! Papa Marco declared. Like hell! I'm center! Papa Enzo shot back.
00:56:06Mia climbed onto the table. Enough! She pointed at them one by one. Grandpa Marco, left.
00:56:13Grandpa Enzo, right. Daddy, third row. Damien immediately saluted. Yes, boss.
00:56:20Once they were done, everyone got busy again. Nobody was watching the little girl anymore.
00:56:25A minute later, I looked up. Where's Mia?
00:56:27She was gone. We rushed through the halls, searching everywhere. Papa Sal found her first.
00:56:32She was curled up asleep inside the old battered basket. The sight brought them all back to the day
00:56:38they found me. Papa Sal lifted it with both hands, eyes wet. Later, Mia stirred. She rubbed her eyes and
00:56:45looked around at all of them. Grandpa, why are you crying?
00:56:51Papa Sal wiped his eyes and smiled. Because we're the luckiest grandpads in the world, princess.
00:56:56He carried her out to the lawn, where the photographer was waiting. It was pure chaos,
00:57:00trying to organize 108 hardened killers. Left! Move left!
00:57:04Papa Marco barked. Move left! You move left!
00:57:07Papa Enzo snapped back. Papa Sal pressed the basket into Mia's hands. Yours now, sweetheart.
00:57:13Damien stepped toward the front row to stand next to me. Papa Sal blocked him with one arm.
00:57:17That's my spot, kid. Front rows grandpos only.
00:57:20Damien laughed and took a step back, wrapping his arm around my waist.
00:57:24You can mess with anyone. Just never mess with this family.
00:57:27The photographer raised his camera and motioned for us to smile.
00:57:31The shutter clicked. 111 faces, smiling and fierce, frozen forever,
00:57:36while we were completely wrapped up in our own joy. In a corner none of us noticed,
00:57:40a woman was staring dead at me. She was holding a faded baby photo in her hand.
00:57:44Then she turned and vanished without a trace. The news cameras flashed blindly outside the
00:57:51foundation building. A woman knelt on the concrete, sobbing into a microphone.
00:57:55My baby! I was so poor! I had no choice but to leave her!
00:58:00It was Evelyn, the woman who claimed to be my biological mother. Beside her stood a young man,
00:58:05looking perfectly miserable. Toby, my half-brother.
00:58:08What the hell does that woman want?
00:58:09Inside the lobby, Papa Sal slammed the table. I looked at the security monitors with dead eyes.
00:58:14She can't genuinely want me back. Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought the press.
00:58:19Hide luxury cars. Lock down the estate.
00:58:22Damien blinked. Then it clicked.
00:58:23Emma, are you planning to pretend we're poor?
00:58:25Exactly.
00:58:27An hour later, I walked out the front doors alone.
00:58:30Emma! My sweet girl! Mommy finally found you!
00:58:35I didn't hug her back. I drove them to a cramped, two-bedroom apartment on the edge of the city.
00:58:41Papa Leo used to use it to stash smuggled cigars. Toby sneered and tossed his jacket on the floor.
00:58:47You're a foundation executive and you live in this dump?
00:58:50Evelyn walked in and her fake, loving smile instantly vanished.
00:58:53You've grown up so well, Emma. Mommy knew you'd have a good life. You have a good job,
00:58:58don't you, sweetheart? So, how much money do you make?
00:59:01I said nothing. I looked down at her hand. Toby kicked a cheap plastic chair.
00:59:06Cut the crap! Just tell us. Where'd you put the money?
00:59:10Then, the door swung open.
00:59:16Damien walked in carrying two bags of cheap groceries. He wore a faded t-shirt and scuffed
00:59:20boots. Evelyn looked him up and down, her face twisted in disgust.
00:59:24Who the hell is this?
00:59:25My husband. He's a cop. A cop? You make all that charity money and you married a broken cop?
00:59:35Damien set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter, his eyes locked on Evelyn's hand,
00:59:39still gripping my wrist. Let go of my wife. You're hurting her.
00:59:43Toby stepped up, puffing out his chest. Hey! Watch how you talk to my mother.
00:59:47Damien didn't even look at him. He just stared at Evelyn.
00:59:50Emma, just listen to me. I'm trying to help you. You're a woman.
00:59:56Managing all that money is too much for you. Just transfer everything to Toby. He's your own
01:00:02brother. Who else are you supposed to trust? Give it to me. I'll take care of it.
01:00:05He opened our fridge like he already owned the place. And if I'm getting the money?
01:00:10I want a new car. Something high-end? I looked at the two of them. I wanted to see
01:00:14exactly how deep their greed went. I don't have much money.
01:00:18But I can get Toby a job at the foundation.
01:00:23It better be a vice president title, sister. Damien slowly reached into his pocket.
01:00:27Then he pulled out a pair of heavy steel handcuffs. I can think of a better title for you.
01:00:34I put a hand on Damien's arm. He stopped and the handcuffs slipped back into his pocket.
01:00:40We're family now. No arrest today. Since we're family, Toby and I are staying here from now on.
01:00:46You two can sleep on the couch. Toby gets the guest room.
01:00:49Evelyn dragged her cheap suitcase into the master bedroom. Toby kicked Damien's boots out of his way
01:00:54and went into his room. The apartment quickly fell silent.
01:00:57These two idiots are really testing my patience. Looks like they want to die.
01:01:01Not yet. Just hang in there, honey.
01:01:03The next morning, I took Toby to the foundation. I gave him a tiny office and a title.
01:01:09Deputy director of procurement. He was thrilled. For three days, he bossed the interns around and
01:01:15spent the foundation's money like it was his own. What he didn't know was that every move he made
01:01:20was being recorded. Papa Enzo sat in his dark control room eating a cannoli.
01:01:26This kid's an idiot. Let him hang himself. How much did he take? A hundred grand. Wait, he's making a
01:01:34call.
01:01:36Yeah, Jimmy. I got the cash. See you at the poker tables tonight.
01:01:40On the monitor, Toby picked up his phone with a grin.
01:01:42Well, well. Looks like he's heading to Viper's old underground casino.
01:01:46I heard everything through my earpiece. Let him play.
01:01:50At two in the morning, the apartment door rattled open. Damien and I were still awake
01:01:55on the terrible case. Toby came running inside, slamming the door behind him like someone was
01:02:00chasing him. Evelyn rushed out of the bedroom. Toby, sweetheart, what's wrong?
01:02:05Mom, you gotta help me. They're gonna kill me. Evelyn's face went white. Who?
01:02:13The casino. I lost a hundred grand. Then I borrowed more to keep playing.
01:02:20Damien sat up. How much more? Toby flinched at the sound of his voice.
01:02:24A million. A million? Emma, you have to pay them. I turned on the lamp. I'm just an employee. Where
01:02:32would I get a million? You have to help me. They're coming tomorrow. If I don't pay, they'll take my
01:02:39hands. Toby crawled toward me, tears running down his face. Then you'd better start running.
01:02:44I stared down at him. Toby froze. Then he grinned. I'm not running anywhere, dear. I already gave him
01:02:51collateral. He stood up and pulled a folded piece of paper. I picked it up. My blood ran cold. It
01:02:57was
01:02:57a foundation asset transfer form, and at the bottom was my signature, perfectly forged.
01:03:05I stared at the forged signature. Damien shot to his feet. Fists clenched.
01:03:09You forged her name to a mob boss? Toby immediately ducked behind Evelyn.
01:03:14So what? The foundation has insurance? Let them pay it!
01:03:18Hmph. Exactly. You're his sister. It's your duty to protect him. If you don't fix this,
01:03:24I'll go to the press and tell them how ungrateful you are.
01:03:27I almost laughed. They really had no bottom. I looked straight at Evelyn.
01:03:33You'd ruin my life just to cover his gambling debt? He is your brother!
01:03:36I picked up the paper and ripped it in half. Get out of my house.
01:03:41Toby panicked. You can't kick us out! The collectors are coming here!
01:03:45I walked to the door and threw it open. I said, get out!
01:03:50They wanted to argue, but one look at Damien's cold face shut them up.
01:03:54Fine. You heartless bitch. Let's go, Toby!
01:03:57The second they stepped outside, I slammed the door in their faces. Damien turned to me,
01:04:02his eyes dark. Who holds the paper?
01:04:05I pulled up the foundation's security grid on my phone.
01:04:08A low-level street crew. Jimmy the Rat Bones.
01:04:12Papa Vito's voice suddenly crackled through the apartment intercom.
01:04:15Jimmy Bones? That little punk used to shine my shoes.
01:04:23The next morning, Damien and I went back to the estate. She was sitting on the rug,
01:04:27playing with her blocks.
01:04:29Mommy! Daddy!
01:04:31I picked her up and buried my face in her neck. Papa Sal walked into the nursery, looking grim.
01:04:37Emma. Toby didn't run.
01:04:39I looked up.
01:04:40What did he do?
01:04:41Papa Sal handed me a tablet.
01:04:43He went straight back to Jimmy Bones.
01:04:45The video showed Toby kneeling in a smoky back room. Jimmy Bones was counting a stack of cash.
01:04:51Toby crawled over and clung to his leg, begging for his life.
01:04:53Please, don't kill me. My sister's husband is out of town. She's loaded.
01:04:57I swear she can pay you back. You want your million? She's got a kid. Take her instead.
01:05:01Please, grab the little girl. She'll pay whatever you want. Just let me walk.
01:05:05My blood boiled. Damien's hand clamped down on the edge of the crib.
01:05:09Toby was selling out my daughter.
01:05:10He was sending kidnappers after a three-year-old.
01:05:13He crossed the line.
01:05:14I gently set Mia down, then looked at Damien and my dads.
01:05:18We didn't need to play poor anymore. Looks like some people need to learn who they're messing with.
01:05:24The city apartment was pitch black. Damien and I sat on the couch, waiting.
01:05:28Outside, tires screeched against the pavement.
01:05:32The next second, the door burnt open, splintering off its hinges.
01:05:36Six massive thugs crowded into the living room.
01:05:39Toby pushed his way to the front, grinning.
01:05:40I told you guys! She's right here!
01:05:44Where's the kid, lady? Hand her over, and maybe we don't break your legs.
01:05:48I didn't blink. Damien slowly stood up.
01:05:50You came for my daughter?
01:05:52Toby laughed and pointed a finger at Damien.
01:05:55Shut up, you broke loser. Throw him out the window!
01:05:58Two thugs lunged at Damien, swinging their revets. Damien caught the first pipe with his
01:06:03bare hand. He twisted hard, sending the thug crashing to the floor. He spun,
01:06:07driving a devastating elbow into the second man's chest. Both men stayed down, groaning in pain.
01:06:13It took exactly three seconds. The other thugs froze in absolute terror.
01:06:17Toby's arrogant smile vanished. You really have a death wish.
01:06:20You brought street rash to a federal agent's house?
01:06:23Damien reached into his jacket and pulled out a heavy gold badge.
01:06:27Toby stared at the gold Interpol badge. His legs started violently shaking.
01:06:34Interpol, you're no ordinary cop?
01:06:36Help! You asshole! You lied to us! Jimmy, do something!
01:06:41Jimmy Bones backed away, raising his hands in surrender.
01:06:44I ain't shooting a fed lady. I'm out. He turned to sprint out the broken door. He slammed,
01:06:49chest first, into a wall of solid muscle. Papa Marco grabbed Jimmy by the throat and lifted him
01:06:54off the floor. Going somewhere, punk? The dark hallway was completely packed. A sea of men in
01:06:59tailored black suits stood shoulder to shoulder. Papa Vito stepped into the light, slowly smoking a
01:07:03cigar. Jimmy Bones. Jimmy looked at Papa Vito, and all the blood drained from his face. He fell to his
01:07:08knees so fast they cracked against the floor. Don Vito! Don Vito! I swear to God, I didn't know!
01:07:15Jimmy started slapping himself across the face, crying uncontrollably. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Toby looked at the
01:07:21kneeling mob boss. Then he looked at those terrifying men filling the hall. He turned to me, his eyes wide
01:07:27with pure horror. Emma, who are these people? I walked over and stood next to Papa Sal. I told you
01:07:35I was an employee. I just forgot to mention, I'm the boss. Evelyn collapsed against the wall.
01:07:43Impossible. No, you're lying. You're just a girl! How could you possibly be the boss?
01:07:49Emma! Sister! Toby crawled toward me. Please, tell them we're family! Papa Sal stepped forward and
01:07:54kicked Toby's hand away. You don't get to call her that. Evelyn burst into tears. I am her mother!
01:08:00I gave birth to her! She owes me respect! I brought her into this world! Papa Sal looked down at
01:08:05her with
01:08:05absolute disgust. You gave birth to her? So what? He pointed a finger at Evelyn's face. You threw her in
01:08:11the trash. We pulled her out. You didn't spend one day being a mother to her. We! We are the
01:08:16ones who raised her!
01:08:17Hearing that, the rest of my dads instantly stood taller, puffing out their chest. Damn right!
01:08:21Look at our girl. We did a pretty great job raising her. Toby sobbed on the floor. Please,
01:08:25I'll leave town. I'll never come back! I looked down at the brother who wanted to sell my baby.
01:08:29Leaving isn't an option anymore, Toby. You committed corporate fraud, forged documents,
01:08:33and plotted a kidnapping. You can't do anything! You don't have the authority! Evelyn shrieked.
01:08:38Heavy footsteps rang out. A cold voice cut through the chaos. She doesn't, but I do.
01:08:46The sea of black suits parted in the hallway. Papa Dante walked through the door. He wasn't
01:08:51wearing a suit today. He wore the crisp, intimidating uniform of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
01:08:57A team of heavily armed agents filed in behind him. Papa Dante pulled a thick stack of warrants
01:09:03from his pocket. He threw them straight onto Toby's face. Toby Miller, you are under arrest for
01:09:08conspiracy to kidnap and racketeering. Toby screamed and scrambled backward.
01:09:12No! I'm her brother! Emma, save me!
01:09:15Two Federal agents grabbed Toby and slammed him against the wall. The cold steel of handcuffs
01:09:19clicked around his wrists. Evelyn lunged forward, trying to scratch Dante's face.
01:09:24Let him go! You're all monsters! Papa Dante didn't even blink.
01:09:28You're being charged as an accessory to kidnapping.
01:09:30An agent grabbed Evelyn's arms and roughly cuffed her. She thrashed wildly, screaming at me.
01:09:35Emma! I gave you life! You owe me!
01:09:39I walked right up to her. I looked into the eyes of the woman who abandoned me.
01:09:43I owed you nothing the day you left me on that porch.
01:09:46I turned my back on them and looked at Damien.
01:09:48Take out the trash.
01:09:49As they dragged my screaming mother away, Papa Sal put a warm hand on my shoulder.
01:09:54Let's go home, kid.
01:09:55If you're on a message or anything, I don't care.
01:10:01Don't care.