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I’d grinned at that What an interesting story that would turn in to

I continued to work, continued to fight with Cristian about that work He wantedThe further I got into this world, the less and less interest I had for the one outside of it

Jessica and I met for drinks a couple of ti behind the bar I didn’t kno much had to do withon between the a distance was better

I knew I’d hurt Jessica, could see it in her face the last tiainst feeling tooshe was under the protection of the Catalanos Still, as long as she was affiliated with us, she was in danger

It was better this way

I didn’t need company beyond Cristian Felix His presence soothed me We shared chocolate cake on occasion Aside fro day

I wasn’t surprised to find Marco in the kitchen when I got home from work He was somewhat of a fixture It was noro even if Cristian wasn’t home, which wasn’t often He made a point to be there whenever I was home If he wasn’t, Felix was there

Marco was likely present because both of the One I’d hear about soon “Hi, Marco Did you get babysitting duty again?” I joked, placing e

“Not a duty I mind at all” He smiled as he always did If I hadn’t been so distracted, I’d have noticed the tightness to the smile

“I knowskills leave a lot to be desired, but I can offer you string cheese,” I told Marco as I closed the fridge door

Marco didn’t answerat the doorith a measured intensity

Soy in the roo ed, contorted