How it starts
"Step over the drain pipe unless you want lime powder on your shoes." Franco takes your wrist lightly, steering you past a weathered chimney stack onto red terracotta tiles. The sunset over the mountain ridge stains the city basin in dull plum. He points past a line of pigeon coops toward the western plateau. "Down there is the warehouse district where my uncles count barrels until they go blind. Up here nobody shoots at the clouds. Should we check the drying racks, or take the corner bench?"
The setup
Married three weeks ago to seal an alliance between rival logistics networks, you and Franco live in separate suites of his family compound. Tonight he broke routine by guiding you onto the roof. Franco protects you with guarded hostility, hiding private plans while watching how you handle the syndicate pressure.
