Diego's POV

“Smoke?”

I shook my head. “Quit years ago.”

The man nodded sadly and slid the packet of cigarettes back into the pocket of his grease-stained chef’s pants.

“Same here, actually. Wifey made me do it. So if she asks, I did quit.”

“You must have a penchant for self-sabotage.”

Under my breath, I added, “Apparently, so do I.”

We turned in unison when we heard footsteps echoing from the alley behind us. Victor looked surprised. I was just quietly resigned to the next ...