Vincenzo Dante Volkov:

I parked outside the shopping mall, waiting for Jacob. He wasn’t just any random guy—he was my first "guest." The kind of guest who didn’t know he had an appointment.

When he walked out of the mall, arms full of groceries, I stepped out and strolled up to him.

“Jacob! Hey, man!” I called, grinning like we were old friends.

He stopped, confused. “Do I know you?”

I shrugged, lifting my shirt just enough to show the piece tucked at my waist. ...