Chapter 34

VICTOR

Leo and I met at a small Italian place tucked away on a quiet side street. The place had been around longer than either of us, and its red-and-white checkered tablecloths were faded from years of wine spills and sunlight. The air was thick with garlic and simmering tomatoes, and the waiters knew not to linger too long at our booth.

Leo was already there when I walked in, seated in our usual