MAFIA'S MUSE

ake it fr

ced through the stil

motion, he unlocked the door and Nico's handcuffs "You're f

ffness from sitting on the cold bench. He didn't l

vanni said, his voice low bu

doorway, his eyes intense, locking onto Nico,

heavy with questions. The cop watched them leave

said, his voice steady despit

the distance between them. His eyes never left Nico's, and Nico coul

vanni said softly, a dangerous edge to his tone

hed at his sides.

ed smile. "That's where you're wrong, Nico.

away from Giovanni's eyes. There was something about the

almost a whisper but filled with an undeniable force. "You don't.

position to negotiate. He wasn't reckless-he knew when to pick his battles, and this was not one of those times. Hi

. "I'll go with you. But don't think this means I

as he took a slow step closer,

was something about Giovanni's stare that made him feel

response, and Nico followed reluctan

e streetlights. Giovanni's black car was parked by the curb, sleek and waiti

ni opened it for Nico, his hand r

" Giovanni said,

ed Giovanni's face, searching for something th

-

is head back, staring at the passing streetlights. Silence

f all the people tangled in his life, why

he smoke-filled room. He had noticed someone maybe like Giovanni before, sitting in the shadows, watc

the silence. "Why d

flicked to him

you there, Giovanni? I

steering wheel. Nico could feel the tension building between them,

t people don't," Giovanni repli

, "And what's that?" he asked, h

yes back to the road, the street lights flickering past them

's words that made him feel... seen. For all the tension, all the silent threats, there was

, but he knew it was pointless. Giovanni wa

continued driving. Nico didn't know what he w

est. He had agreed to work for Giovanni, but

the sound of the car dying out as they sat in the stillness. G

d simply, as if dropping Ni

. He hadn't expected things to go this way,

re. There was no negotiation in his tone. Nico didn't hesitate. He opened the

ieter, almost thoughtful. "Remember, Nico, this isn't a favor. This is a deal.

rgue. He had already agreed, and ther

ered, glancing back at Giov

n Nico for a moment longer than was comfortable. Then, without anothe

and made his way inside, the familiar weight

e door to his apartment, his

sh across the screen. His heart sank, a tight knot of worry t

wered quickly,

was urgent. "Giovanni tipped off

ed. Giovanni. He had

ld respond, the