Page 58 of The Hitman's Secret Baby
Brick storefronts with iron balconies.
A fountain with water that hasn't run in decades.
The café sits on the corner, all clean windows and orange awnings, the inside humming with polite conversation and soft jazz.
Blanco's already there.
He sits at a back table, sipping an espresso like we're catching up after Mass.
His suit is dark green, his shoes shined to a mirror finish, and when he sees me walk in, he lifts a finger to signal.
I slide into the chair across from him.
"He's on his way," Blanco murmurs, not bothering with pleasantries. "Still thinks this is a conversation."
"It is," I say. "Until it's not."
The bell above the door jingles, and Antonio enters, hair slicked, gold chain peeking from under a half-buttoned shirt.
He sees us and hesitates, his pupils pinpricking.
He knows and tries to backpedal.
I'm on my feet before the second step.
My hand finds his collar and turns him.
I press him into the chair across from us, one palm heavy on his shoulder.
"Sit down," I say quietly.
He obeys, chest rising and falling in short bursts.
"Jesus," he mutters, voice cracking. "Blanco, what is this?"
Blanco doesn't answer. Just sips his coffee and smiles like a cat.
Antonio licks his lips. "Look, whatever you heard, it's not true. I haven't?—"
"Don't talk," I interrupt, my voice low.
I reach under the tablecloth.
My fingers curl around the grip of the gun already nestled in my lap.
I don't let him see it yet, because fear works best when it comes naturally.
I want him to think he might walk out of here.
"Enzo," Antonio pleads, looking at me now, his eyes wide. "You've known me for years. I took a few jobs on the side, sure, but it was nothing that stepped on the family."
"Lying is worse than stealing," Blanco says idly. "At least a thief has the courage to act."
"You know what I think?" I ask, staring at him like I'm memorizing the contours of his face. "I think you saw the numbers, figured you could skim. No one would notice. And if someone did, maybe Blanco would cover for you."
He swallows. "I swear I didn't?—"
The shot is silent.
