He marks me immediately.
Danger recognizes danger.
Interesting.
Because if Laney is here…
He’s the reason she’s still alive.
Which means he’s not just standing in my way.
He’s standing between her and the people trying to kill her.
I take a slow drink from my beer.
And start planning the conversation that’s about to change everything.
11
Saint
The man at the bar doesn’t belong.
You learn to see it after years of working security and combat.
Some people fit a place.
Some people don’t.
This one doesn’t.
Wrong shoes.
Wrong posture.
Wrong eyes.
Eyes that calculate.
Eyes that measure exits, distances, angles.
The kind of eyes that already mapped the room before the bartender set down his drink.
I know him the moment I see him.
“Marco Rossi,” I say.
The tavern goes quiet.
Not completely silent.
But close enough that every head turns just a little.
The man at the bar slowly turns toward me.
Calm.
Controlled.
