Chapter 14:

  They stepped out like they weren’t about to rob Duskwatch’s most dangerous man.

  Grim adjusted his cuff. It shimmered.

  And beside him, was Lazaro. His dress was… fabulous to say the least.

  Sparking brighter than the chandeliers within. And make up so far stretched, his eye liner could probably cut people.

  Neither looked like criminals. But that was point.

  “Smile,” Lazaro whispered, “You’re rich tonight.”

  “No, I’d say I’m more of a jester tonight”

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  “Then you’re ready,”

  Gold. Lights. And faces that could afford both.

  And right in the center, Don Vito Uru. A monument to money and the blood that kept it standing.

  The room hummed. The champagne fizzed.

  He turned. And smiled. The kind of smile that made people’s legs weak.

  “You must be the uninvited guests I’ve been hearing about,” he said, calmly looking at Grim.

  Don’s smile was wide. But not warm in the least.

  It was the kind of smile that could finance wars and make you thank him for the opportunity.

  Lazaro didn’t flinch.

  Grim didn’t blink.

  They were playing masks against a man who collected faces.

  “I like confidence,” Don said, tilting his champagne. “But I love honesty more.”

  He gestured his bejeweled hand, and suddenly chairs were waiting for them at his massive table. Like they’d waiting for them for centuries. Like they’d always belonged there.

  “Join me. We’ll eat. We’ll drink. And we’ll pretend we’re not about to lie to each other.”

  Grim sat.

  Lazaro followed, wearing a smile like it was armor.

  The table was velvet and violence.