L

issed a chance to needle me about "settling down," even while I bounced her youngest on my knee

oyi

I cared to count. They're the only ones who could bring me to my knees-literally a

earlier t

of my more legitimate fronts, though anyone in Chicago with

to?" Cathan asked as

e," I

already," he said, glancing at his

and shut the d

im," Cathan said while t

b Hun

ems a little bit shady bu

er what happened at Prague, I thought he'd b

he driver calle

out and

lub, Elias," Cathan muttered, walking br

know by now that I wa

d we continue

rd happening upfront. L

end some men to check w

nd, two armed men walked forward to

and really impressive. But there were

by a guy who probably lost his fortu

dedly. Somehow, I

was

nearly did th

nly, the two men Cathan sent were

ed to my men. "Clea

nding everyone out, leaving me, Cat

he assault area with my gun cocked an

the guys that ran toward him on the nose. "It must be

face him.

siness acquaintance of mine, I've been in this business long enou

ted firing. We returned their fire

yelled, but it

rabbed the man's hand and twisted it so far, I heard a snap b

lood seeping out o

mies were all gone and an additional t

orders to the men to look for Alon

he ground, Cat

like shit under his breath. "Fuck, we

now," I said with a grunt, trying in vain to co

weren't here to see th

d. Cathan helped me get to the car parked right o

Side," I gasped. "Th

ess, anonymous and forgotte

d. My sight was fogged, and even the ache in my bon

ons of underpaid staff. My men cut through the silence,

's when

ted anyone to

er his brow, and though the janitor's uniform was baggy, I could see the way it clung to a lean, wiry body. He mo

is cornflower-blu

me...

ow is that when he tried to step aside, my arm in

ed. My voice was r

to my face, and then back to my side once more. Not afraid of me, but afraid of what I was. It wa

rt

me. Gently. Withou

o sit," he

redded, and my wound burned, but I watched him-this boy with shaking hands an

in hand, he wen

f a scar tracing the side of his neck like a disappearing story. And even though his tremblin

mething hea

e told my men to leave the room. I should have

there and s

asked, not sure

ed, so soft his voi

ui

ike a breath you didn't dare

somehow keeping me grounded. My heart thudded ag

mething unreadable flic

nt, I felt somet

to ever dwell on that again. But t

a rude shrug, I stood up, leaving him to