MAFIA'S MUSE

w of the TV flashing lights on the apartment.

be Leo. He

or burst open. Police officer

nds

wly, his pulse pounding in his ears. His eyes darted around the roo

ice was shaky as he tried to

arked. One of them grabbed Nico and

leaving him dizzy. They were everywhere, moving quickly, searching

, yanking cushions off the couch, tearing through his things. His head spun, trying to keep track of what w

he s

te powder inside gleamed under the harsh fluorescent light. Nico's stomach twi

g here," the of

Leo's bed, and there was more. Behind the

" His voice cracked. He was in shock, trying to

is eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Th

s rising now, panic creeping into every word. "It's Leo's! H

anded, grabbing Nico by the sh

hadn't seen him for

back. Nico winced in pain, his breath coming in short bursts. Co

ation," the officer said,

the cuffs. But his words fell on deaf ears. They ignored him, focus

t red and blue lights of the squad car flashed in his face as they shoved him into the backseat. The s

-

orever. Nico couldn't stop thinking about Leo, about what had happe

n the empty hallway. His wrists were sore from the cuffs, but that was the least of his worrie

the center. Nico sank into it as the door slammed shut behind him. He co

d raced. He needed to think, needed a plan,

tective stepped inside. Nico looked

Nico like he was already guilty. His suit was neatly pressed, but the hard lines around his mouth and the way his posture seemed to

tive said, his voice low a

eat on the back of his neck, his throat d

hat? You live with the guy, and drugs are all over your ap

wear, I don't know anything about the drugs

and unyielding. "Then why did we find them in

helpless, so trapped in his life. The detective's voice was like ice, but Nico was too scared t

ith frustration. "Or this all falls on you. You know what that means, ri

the drugs on him, he could be facing years in prison. His mind raced. He needed to get

ted, his voice trembling. "I really do

ng moment, eyes like daggers. Then,

find him. When we do, we'll get the tr

ed inside, his eyes cold and indifferent. He gra

ging him out of the room. "We'll

ved into a holding cell. The heavy door sla

f the cell seeped into his bones, but it was nothing compared to the

ng of his own heart in his ears, the distant sounds of voi

lose all hope, he heard a familiar voic

ke it fr

ht in his throat.

van

he doin

e list. But as the heavy footsteps drew nearer, Nico realized-he had no choice. Giovanni was the only o