I watched as Giovanni stood up from the table, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the restaurant’s plush carpet. He exchanged a few final words with me, his gaze a mixture of curiosity and resolve. The conversation had ended on a cautious note, but there was a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, we could reach a resolution. Giovanni left with a firm handshake and a promise to think over the terms we discussed.
As the door closed behind him, I turned back to Marshall, who had been observing the interaction with an almost predatory patience. He was seated across from me, his eyes cold and calculating.
“Can I eat now?” I asked hesitantly, my voice betraying the hunger that had been gnawing at me for days.
Marshall’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. “Of course. Tony, ge
