Chapter 49 : Contract Signing

They were back at the restaurant on the ground floor of Kade’s apartment building only a few hours later for lunch—or for whatever indeterminate meal marked this strange, endless, wonderful day.

Raven gratefully accepted a large pour of Kade’s favorite vintage of wine, allowing herself to breathe out at last. Kade had booked them a table by the window: a very visible table, almost like a stage onto the sidewalk. Kade kept his phone on the table, watching push notifications roll in minute by minute as he sipped at his own wine.

“So. The Jackal.” She spoke tentatively, reluctant to broach a topic that would bring the whole mood of this victorious moment down. “How did that happen?”

“Easily. I reached out to him and told him I had a job.”

“Just like that?” She couldn’t help staring. It seemed too easy.

“I have my underworld contacts. As you well know.”

He didn’t seem at all phased to be discussing this openly and in public. Well, at least in his own restaurant. But then again