e compound where I felt like a perso

s 2:0

tack of contract law textbooks. The silence was he

ng the heels of my palms

os

ced through

inning aroun

He was wearing a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up to

ew my

reminded me of the gym floor. The cold tile against

I clutched my book to my chest like a shield

said. He pushed off the s

ee feet away.

ting in the quiet room. "Bianca... she has a sharp ton

red a

were diseased. He wasn't apologizing for calling me a

the Underboss, or as h

y mouth before I

The air temperature see

rying to be civil. I don't want any

treated me like I was radioactive because I tripp

foreign word on his tongue. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thi

t out. Hu

could pay fo

face. He looked bored. Impatient. Like

ad," I said, my voice steady despite the shaking of my

ened, a muscle ti

I said. "And I don't want

into my bag and s

a," h

I walked to the

g a mistake,"

door open, "was thinking you wer

vering the connection, and