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Penny

Present Day

Rome, Italy

The base andthe wall Three men sat across a metal table from Kaspar, each of them covered in tattoos and ht suits

I lingered toward the stairs, conored The discussion was in Italian, which I didn’t speak Upstairs, more people moved around—cooks, waitresses, patrons, and others The restaurant was cute, family owned, and smelled incredible

Down here, it was like ere in another world

“Enough,” Kaspar said suddenly, slarimaced, but nobody moved as Kaspar stared them down “I will not risk my plans for your vanity”

Thehair at his te in Italian He didn’t sound happy

“English, Santo”

Santo glanced at me then spread his hands “What you ask will be difficult Blood will be spilled”

“That’s the point”

“You do not understand We work to, ah, avoid certain things Toois bad, yes?”

“Right now, I needto regret our current arrangement?”

Santo stared back at him then slowly shook his head “No, I am not”

“Good Kill theive you two days” Kaspar stood up and stared at Santo “If you do not follow my orders, you knoill happen”

The threat was obvious, if a little heavy-handed I wondered if Kaspar was so used to getting his way that he didn’t bother with subtlety

Santo estured his assent “As you wish”

Kaspar walked to me and offered his arm

I ignored him and headed up the stairs

He followed We stepped out into the kitchen He guided me toward the back door and out into the alley It was a co down the narrow, chaotic alleys, and Kaspar strode off

I had to hurry to keep up, but my eyes swept all around Rorew up organically and spontaneously over thousands of years, and that et lost

And even more to escape

I nearly ran into Kaspar He stopped walking and stared down at me with narrowed eyes

“Don’t bother”

I sucked in a breath to steadyabout”

“You think I don’t notice you staring around like you can’t wait to htly and leaned his lips closer “There’s a reason you’re in a dress and heels Good luck running I’ll catch you and you won’t like the punishment”