Carmela marched up to Max, her face flushed with anger. She looked him in the eye, her gaze steely and determined.

"You invited my kids," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "And I'm not going to let you hurt them."

Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the room, and everyone gasped. The music stopped, and a hush fell over the crowd.

"Where are my kids?" Carmela demanded, her voice rising in pitch. She scanned the crowd, but ...