CHAPTER 17

Marcus's hand reflexively went to his hip where his gun was supposed to be, but it was empty. He remembered that the doorman had requested for their "tools". Giovanni noticed the movement and scoffed. "You would not be needing that," He said. "Come. Walk with me, eh?"

Marcus and Julian fell into step along with Giovanni who led them into a small room. The room was dark save for a buzzing light bulb that hung low. Some moths fluttered around it.

"Is this where you are going to kill us?" Marcus asked.

Giovanni laughed. "You are so…" He did not complete the sentence, instead he said, "Oi, Pianté, give them their things," A large man stepped out from the shadows and placed a briefcase on the table.

Marcus took out his gun and checked it. He kept his eyes on Giovanni as he snapped the gun into his belt and the bronze knuckles into his pocket. "So you do not want to kill us?" He asked.

"Not yet," Giovanni waved them to the seats around the table. "In a way, you did me a favor. Pianté, b