Monday, May 7th, 3:59 PM

"A crime family?" Mako said in a loud voice.

Elise remained quiet for a moment, watching the confusion course through his face. Mako stepped back, and she felt an instinctual need to reach out to him. Despair flooded her as she thought that Mako would turn and run, but to her surprise, he lingered.

"Is that why you've been so skittish lately? Those goons in the casino following you around?" he asked.

Unable to mutter a response, Elise slowly ...