Page 30 of The Silencer

“You ready to do this? This is going to get complicated,” Luca says, knowing what this means. Everything may change from here.

I nod.

“Seems I am.”

“Fuck,” Luca mutters and then slaps me on the back roughly. “Alright, Brother. Let’s fucking do this.”

We make it back to my office, the doors closing behind us with a snick. Luca flicks the lock and then leans against the door, his hand coming up to rub at his jaw.

“So what’s the plan, Boss?”

Moving toward my decanter, I pick it up and give us both a heavy pour. I hand one to Luca, and he takes it. He swigs it back and gasps.

“Fuck, that’s strong.”

“That was a five-hundred-dollar drink.”

“Sucked, to be honest,” Luca says and then holds out his glass.

I eye him but refill it. Who am I to tell him no?

“More,” Luca says when I only give him two fingers. I scoff, but fill it twice as full, watching as he sips at it this time.

“Good. Enjoy it.”

“I might as well gulp it down. We’ll be dead soon.”

“No one dies. No. One.”

“Except the bad guys.”

I eye my best friend. “Some would say we’re the bad ones.”

He scoffs and then reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out his packet of cigarettes.

“Some would say that, although, I think we’re pretty decent. I mean, look at our parents. We’re basically saints.”

He grins at me and then leans back, knowing not to smoke in my house. My late wife hated it. And therefore, it’s not tolerated inside.

“At least we don’t beat up kids for being different,” Luca says, and I nod.

“No, we don’t.”

Silence falls upon us, and for a moment, my mind wanders to Tatum. Where is he now? What’s he been doing all day? Teddy gives me updates when warranted, but it’s been silent since this morning.

Perhaps nothing eventful has happened outside those labyrinth hallways.

I can only hope.

But then again, Tatum is always finding trouble. He’s chaotic.

“What’s that look for?” Luca asks, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watches me.

“There’s no look.”

“Oh, there’s a look.”

I glance away and sip at my drink. It burns going down, but I don’t even let myself be bothered by it.

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