a

y. It was a quiet, forgotten place that smelled of pine needles

oint, paying under the table. I rented a room above a garage

it was

No one knew I had designed skyscrapers that scraped the belly

y clawed its

cheap burner I'd bought at a gas station-beg

ts. An endless stre

owser, my sto

ss: The Secret Li

os from the gala. Fake stories about me stealing money. And the lie

n the underworld, being a "rat" was t

offee pot. It hit the floor and explod

amed Ross, asked, looking up

to the di

t evaporated. The atmosphere became heavy

oked

corner booth. The ma

nding in, yet he looked like a king in exile.

up and m

smile. He

egs feeling like they migh

d me," I

. "You have a distinct way of walking. Like you'r

to take me b

movements. "I'm here because there is a bounty on y

talk to

e truth doesn't matter in

a menu t

down,

ad no run

tory. The Coles don't run things here.

eyes were intense, hypn

run so her dogs can catch you on the highway. If you

gain. "What do y

aid. "I'm building a hospit

design

who you are. And because if you

my hand with his. His palm was rough,

d to help you put the pieces back together. And th

Another threat. Anoth

tranger. He was dangerous. H

irst time in a month, I didn'

," I

nd. "Now, get me some coffee. You'

tured laugh e

time I had laughe