MAFIA'S MUSE

e an oppressive weight. The neon lights flickered intermittently, cast

for years, the place that had been a refuge

yal, but he knew it was the only way to keep the pe

k to work at the bar, though

rference, he had to stay close. Maybe in doing so, he could final

reign, the familiar comfort of the string

rs nursing their drinks in silence, and a few newcome

vanni was watchin

the far end of the bar. His fingers paused briefly

had arrived. He had just sat there, smoki

unsettling i

d Nico couldn't shake the feelin

y note Nico played was a silent test. His chest tightened

to ignore the unnerving pull of Giovanni's stare. He ha

ion. Nico set his guitar down carefully, wiping his palm

yes following Nico every step of the way.It wasn't until Nico reached the

, but there was tension about him

nt presence at Giovanni's side, but to

barely audible over the ambient n

ow, sensing something

g overheard. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whi

m. Sam? He had always thought Giovanni was behind it all-after all, who

low but edged with confusion. "Wha

Sam was trying to get in Giovanni's good graces. He thought tipp

him for it. But Giovanni didn't

led, trying to pr

by tipping off the cops. And Giovanni had no idea? It didn't make sense. Giovanni

co asked, his voice a mixtur

l for it. When everything went down, Giovanni covered for Sam. H

een the one pulling the strings, trying to make a name for himself while

g him from across the room. Nico felt a chil

Watching them. The intensity in his gaze hadn't softened. It was st

, his mind working furiously to m

termind behind the cops. That didn't make him any less

he was willing to do anything to maintain his c

, his voice a little more forceful th

sure. Giovanni took the hea

eins, convinced the man had set him up, only to

ace. Giovanni wasn't the puppet master he'd believed

the villain and protect Sam's secret only confirmed what Nico already knew

him. "And he didn't bo

He doesn't explain himself." Then he hesitated, eyes dark wi

stomach

e dropped, low and almost curious. "But You're lucky, you know," he said softly, almost like he was admi

uddenly fe

ward Giovanni's table. St

pulse

oice low. "Do what Giovanni wants. Don't make it harder on yourself. He's got patience for you

removing his hands

zen, the weight of Dom's adv

never wavered, still locked on him with a

ving towards Giovanni's table. His h