*Tallon*

Vinny and Alessandro sat silently beside me, but their frustration was obvious. Ivan laughed across from me, then snapped his fingers at one of his cronies, who quickly sprang into action. Everyone there seemed to have known exactly what I was going to say, and just like before, their movements were obviously carefully orchestrated by Ivan.

“When do you want to do this?” I asked Ivan, allowing him to think that I was willing to be a pawn in his ...