Beneath The Crimson Lies

deadly, and relentless. The chilly breeze stings my skin as I stroll along the small lanes of th

our future, how we would leave this godforsaken city and begin anew some distance away. But that future we we

ise, the cops claimed it was a mugging gone bad. Marco was cautious, too cautious to be surpri

ave the rest of us to gather the fragments. But they are incorrect. I have spent the past year learning everything I need to bring them down, then teaching

here I work. Above the door, the neon sign flickers and throws a sickly glow over the broken pavement. Though

slumped over their drinks, lost in their worlds, this is a quiet night. My hands move instinctively as I ready a pot o

to him will help me to find the truth regarding Marco's murder one step forward. Getting close to Luca Moretti is more difficult stated than done, albeit Men who wou

I had to concentrate. I will not let this chanc

s a note from my contact-the one from the shadows who has been supporting me. Just their handle, ShadowFox; I do not know their

right now. Thirty min

the open, and I have a limited window of tim

Some

came practica

de is ShadowF

d of location where dealings are conducted in the darkness and a single word ruins lives; it begs for wealth and power. I never

issues later. Ignoring the perplexed glance from my colleague, I collect my luggage and walk toward the door. Though

an eternity. My mind races, a million possibilities playing out there. Should Luca iden

too far to reverse right now. I simply have to b

owed suspicious eyes. I push myself to grin and hand him a hundred-dollar note. His face

Keeping my head down, I move among the throng, looking for any indication of Luca. Not too long it is to fin

my opp

stop, caught in the intensity of his stare for a moment. Up close, he is even more frightening-ta

halting only a few steps from him.

u? I ask, my voice firm even

dacity. But in a moment he motions to the se

hase of a risky game. Playing my cards right will provide the inform

bes, his voice flowing natural

es brief and understated. I can only t

me, as though trying it on his tongu

a change of landscape. Thought I would

ir, Luca smiles. And wh

"It's...interesting." "But t

ve gone too far. Then he laughs, a low, throaty sound that s

eaming at me to flee. But I'm unable to. Not right ye

ask, gently pushing the dis

ems delighted by my inquiry. "

ting as the naive, understated young woman

whether to trust me. Then he slants forward, his g

xpected, he is insightful. I h

ce light. "Just relocated t

ying from mine, he

. "Right here is where things happen. I wante

s something. He seems, however, not convince

ore somber tone, he queri

a neutral facial. True, just me. M

s eyes never leave me. Between us, the stillness is dense with tension. At

' he says gently. Still, I find it admirable. Wa