our: The

se was quie

ty owed him answers. Below, the skyline glittered like a false promise. The streets we

tch in his glass b

ere louder tha

booste

's f

yes when he asked

his jaw, mus

d it. But she

k

were ou

His name.

kept the

n't just

was

him. He didn't need to turn

stepping inside. "

odded onc

den disappearance from the circuit. Worked a string of jobs under different names. No consi

" Luca asked,

. No known father. She lists herself as a single parent. School records s

e there

rased him

the glass down carefully. Then

ant

ated. "That

it." His voice was ice. "Discreetly.

short nod.

he window. "They look

't answer

he said

rled into fists

e asked. "Not money. Not secrets. Not business

fut

cy," he

pire, burying enemies, carving his name i

new what hau

e had

uld one day burn because he h

il

il

-

klyn,

ouldn'

in an oversized sweater, staring at the half-finished

as a

Standing in front o

t ask him

dn't n

w what

lood ran

name, he lived inside her bo

always

always

't name-just a flicker in their ey

rehead against her

ould she p

so

re feet

look

i

nd he held the black wolf stuffed

ay, swe

ing over. "I he

t realize

rled under her arm like it was

ad dream,"

e top of his

at in

ming?" he aske

illed. "What

voice small. "It just fee

ged him

too per

ch lik

-

Next M

the school from

an angle that gave him full

backpacks bouncing. Laughter. Shou

a stran

ouldn't

he sa

walking si

rock like he was mad at the world. The other walked

and

so

no denyi

jawline. Same st

swallo

't feel

somethin

ng

. Didn't know their last na

m laughing now,

in

ad t

hone

rc

" he asked,

inety-nine point nine per

t speak for a

yer. And a family

os

t want the groundwork ready. If

ake it im

dn't

n't ha

ia might'v

t

ad lev

ad b

had r

gacy from him and

even