Chapter 60

• The dim light of the secluded bar cast long shadows on the walls, the air thick with the smell of stale beer and smoke. Rafael sat at a booth in the far corner, his hands clasped tightly in front of him as he waited. His jaw was clenched, his mind racing with possibilities. The recent threats, the notes, the unmistakable sense of being watched—it was all adding up to something he couldn’t ignore. Someone was leaking information, and Rafael intended to find out who.
• The door swung open, and Angelo walked in, his heavy boots thudding against the worn floorboards. He spotted Rafael immediately, giving a short nod before making his way over. Angelo’s broad frame and grizzled features were as intimidating as ever, but Rafael wasn’t in the mood to be cowed.
• “Rafa,” Angelo said as he slid into the booth, his tone casual. “This feels like old times. What’s going on?”