The rain tapped against the large floor-to-ceiling windows of my study like impatient fingers. I leaned back in my leather chair, the low hum of classical music playing in the background, a cigar burning lazily between my fingers. The screen of my phone lit up, the caller ID flashing a name I hadn’t seen in weeks—Vicenzo.

I stared at it for a moment, jaw clenched. My thumb hovered over the decline button, but curiosity... and strategy won.

I picked up. “Speak.”

His voice came through ...