Luca's POV

For a split second after the claps, silence reigned between us, thick and heavy, almost like the calm before a hurricane. Parlor took his place before his men, standing firm like a general about to lead a war—an oversized general, I might add.

His voice finally stripped the silence of its cover. “Told you, Luca. I was going to be the one to kill you.” He grinned.

“Yet, you aren't the one holding the gun, Parlor.” I shook my head, brushing my thumb on my lips, my eyes ...