So, I'm still working on rearranging and writing some new scenes, so the next update may take a little longer to post, but I'm going to work as quickly as possible on it! In other news, it's almost this fics one year anniversary! I can't believe how long I've dedicated to these characters and this story, and I hope to give this little fic more and more attention as time goes on!
CJ was up on a ladder borrowed from maintenance when her cell phone rang, the sound causing her to pause mid brush stroke as she glanced to where her phone sat on the breakfast bar. All morning she had been paintingㅡthe rusty brick red that she picked out from the hardware store managed to change the energy of the condo almost immediately. CJ had chosen an accent wall in both her bedroom and living room to paint with the color, and next she wanted to use it as an accent in the kitchen once she was done in here. She also had a beige paint she considered using on the remaining walls, however, the red seemed almost enough on its own to change her space. Maybe next she could focus on changing up some of the decor in the condoㅡas much as she did like some of the modern furnishings here, they didn't feel quite right to her.
CJ's bedroom back home had hardly changed since her childhood. The walls had been painted a subdued, pastel pink when the family first moved in when she was only seven, and as she got older CJ never saw any point in changing it. Through the years some of her furniture changedㅡa larger, simpler bed took the place of her twin-sized princess bed once she turned eleven, and she got more bookshelves as she got more and more things to fill them with.
As she considered her old room throughout the day, CJ began to wonder what her taste even wasㅡmost of the old furniture she had through the years were things picked out by her mother, one of the only areas of their life that her father had trusted Josephine with (he never did like picking out decor for the houseㅡmaybe in Don Maroni's eyes that sort of thing was the woman's job). CJ wondered if she simply settled for her mother's design sense because it was easy, or if she genuinely came to like it too. This condo was CJ's first real opportunity to make something entirely her own, but that in turn made her wonder what exactly she likedㅡas silly and childish as it may have sounded, she never had the chance before to figure out what her taste was in design.
CJ climbed down the ladder quickly, setting the paint roller back in its tray before wiping her hands down the front of her overalls as she went to grab her cell phone. The screen flashed Umberto's name at her, and CJ paused nervously as she stared at the name, her breath hitching in surprise. Neither she nor Umberto had made an effort to contact each other since their encounter at Don Falcone'sㅡCJ told herself there was no way she'd be the one to reach out first, and she was sure Umberto had been nervously rehearsing exactly what he'd say to her for weeks. Looked like Umberto was finally ready to talk.
But was CJ? She found herself staring blankly at the phone, unable to move as she found herself pulled in two directionsㅡone insisting that she didn't need to talk to Umberto and the other reminding her that she had been missing her brother all these months.
CJ stood motionless for so long that the call eventually went to voicemail, and even then after she stayed planted where she stood. The feeling of paint drying on her fingertips suddenly became the thing of CJ's focus, as if drying paint was a better alternative to speaking with her brother; as she mulled over whether it was worth calling Umberto back, CJ mindlessly began to scrape her nails against her paint covered palm, biting her lip in consideration.
She knew Umberto wanted to apologize. In many ways, he was the most sensitive of the family, the one most impacted by conflictㅡCJ could only imagine how much everything had been eating at him for the last five months, ever since they lost their father back in January. If there was one thing CJ knew about her brother, it was that he would do anything to put an end to disagreements, even if the way he went about it didn't always resolve the issue. Umberto was the guy that apologies even if something wasn't his fault, he was the type to shut up and take a side even if he didn't agree with itㅡit was one of Umberto's greatest faults, and CJ knew it had gotten him into trouble before.
Despite her hurt at how things went between the siblings back at Don Falcone's party, CJ couldn't help but feel the need to put Umberto's anxieties at easeㅡthough she was the younger sibling, CJ sometimes felt responsible for Umberto's feelings as if she were the older one. But, if CJ's assumption about Umberto's phone call was anything to go off of, maybe Umberto was feeling responsible for her feelings as well.
Decidedly, CJ brushed hair away from her forehead with the back of her hand carefully, hoping to avoid getting paint on her face, though she was sure she could feel some of the nearly dry paint still slick off onto her skin. Wiping her hands over her dirty overalls one more time, CJ finally grabbed her cell phone, pressing the call back button without even bothering to listen to the message Umberto left for her.
CJ didn't even have time to plan what she'd say, as Umberto answered the phone halfway through the second ring, speaking in a rapid tone, "CJ! I thought you wouldn't call backㅡ"
With a shaky inhale, CJ cut him off in a surprisingly steady voice, "Berto, slow down."
She could hear her brother take a deep breath, collecting himself. CJ could practically picture Umberto with one hand tangled in his hair, having jumped to his feet when she called backㅡone of Umberto's odd habits is that he never sat down when he was on the phone, which CJ chalked up to his anxiety.
"I'm glad you called." He said calmly, waiting a couple of beats to see if CJ would reply, "I… don't expect you to forgive me, but I wanted to try to apologize."
CJ's lips tugged slightly at the confirmation that this was, in fact, an attempt at an apology. With a surprisingly calm demeanor, CJ settled into one of the barstools, resting her chin on her free hand. CJ wondered what she was even supposed to say, unprepared for this conversation that was happening.
On the other end, Umberto nervously licked his lips, "Can we… can I see you? I hate doing this on the phone."
CJ's brows went up slightly at the questionㅡdid she want to see Umberto right now?
Without a doubt, she knew the answer was yes. She knew that she was hurt and upset about what happened, but she also knew, as soon as the question left Umberto's lips, that she missed her brother. CJ could hold a grudge against anyone, but not Umbertoㅡhe was the only person that knew all of CJ's secrets, the only person that knew exactly how difficult growing up was for her. Though they'd always been the type of siblings that could easily go months without talking to one another, they had a way of always falling back in with each other as if no time had passed. The only person that knew CJ's secrets these days was Victor, and even then he didn't know some of the things Umberto did.
"Yeah, I'd like that." CJ's voice was softer than she expected it to be.
"I can pick you up, we could go somewhere." CJ considered the suggestion, unconsciously nodding her head before remembering Umberto couldn't see it.
"Okay, just give me a couple hours."
And a little over two hours later, Umberto was knocking at her front door, CJ practically jumping out of her seat in nervous anticipation. She'd changed into an outfit that was a little more presentable and scrubbed the paint off of her hands and arms, though there was still red embedded under her fingernails that she couldn't quite wash off entirely. She briskly crossed the short distance to her front door and threw it open, Umberto's eyes surprised at just how quickly his knock was answered.
He had a new pair of glasses. Funny enough, that was the first thing CJ noticed as she took in the appearance of her brother. The tortoiseshell frames were flattering on his face, and if they'd been in a different circumstance, CJ would have joked that they made Umberto look smarter. His facial hair, too, was different, longer than Umberto normally would have kept itㅡwas he trying out a new look, or was he becoming a little more careless because of stress?
Without even thinking about what she was doing, CJ suddenly wrapped her arms around Umberto, compelled by the weight of realizing how much she missed him. Umberto froze briefly as CJ hugged him close, but he melted within seconds, throwing both arms over CJ's shoulders and pressing her close. The both of them felt lumps in their throats as their emotions dared to get the best of them, holding back tears as they clung to each other as if they were afraid of what would happen if they let go.
Finally, it was Umberto that pulled back, resting his hands on CJ's shoulders as they met eyes, their smiles sad as they stared at each other. Umberto swallowed down the lump in his throat, pressing his lips together firmly as he considered what he was supposed to say. He opened his mouth as if he were about to speak, but no words came outㅡwhat was he supposed to say first? I'm sorry about what happened, I missed you so much, I've been beating myself up for months over this? CJ knew all the possible things Umberto could have been thinking, and as he stared at her almost dumbly trapped in thought, CJ gave a small nodded, clenching her jaw slightly before speaking up.
"I know." She said simply, addressing every little thing Umberto could possibly have been thinking at that moment. His shoulders relaxed as he let out a sigh, dropping his hold on CJ's shoulders while looking down at his shoes.
Umberto huffed out an unamused, nearly ashamed, laugh, wearily meeting CJ's eyes again, "You must think I'm pathetic after all of this."
CJ studied his faceㅡa couple months back, she would have agreed. She would have told him that he was weak, that he was selfish to have let something happen to her. But in that moment CJ found that she wasn't thinking that at all.
She shook her head, "You're not pathetic. You're scared." Umberto's guard dropped a little more at CJ's simple words, "… We both are."
Umberto nodded, taking a deep breath and straightening out his shoulders as he mulled over what to say next, his eyes searching around the hall in thought, "I don't know what's happening, CJㅡto this city, to our family. Nothing's made sense since dad died."
CJ's lips pulled into a slight reassuring smile as she shook her head, "Nothing made sense when he was alive either."
To that, Umberto smiled, a light returning to his eyes as he looked at CJ in agreement, "You got me there."
CJ stared at him a moment longer before stepping back and motioning for Umberto to follow, "Let me just grab my things real quick."
A look of delight crossed Umberto's expression when he stepped into the condo to see the freshly painted walls, his warm eyes turning to his sister as she sat down to put on a pair of strappy sandals, "Looks great in here."
CJ glanced up to smile at the compliment, and Umberto took that second to study her appearance now. Though she looked much better than she had even a month ago, Umberto could still tell CJ had a ways to go before she was back to her usual self, at least physicallyㅡher cheeks still hadn't returned to their usual fullness, and he could see the way her dress was fitting looser than it should have. But she no longer had dark bags under her eyes, she no longer looked almost skeletalㅡCJ was getting healthier every day, and soon enough Umberto was sure she'd look youthful and glowing again. He looked forward to the day when CJ could completely be herself again.
CJ couldn't remember the last time she stepped inside the Gotham International Museum of Art, and yet when she and Umberto entered, a satisfied sense of calm washed over her. When they were young, Umberto was obsessed with museums whether they be art or history or science museums. He'd always been the academic of the family, though Josephine was the only member of the family that could really appreciate his interests. But CJ could still remember being a little kid, dragged along on a museum adventure that at the time she had no interest in; now she could look back on those memories fondly, look back at the simplicity of life as a child.
The fact that Umberto still frequented these museums put a smile on CJ's faceㅡUmberto never looked more happy than he did when he was free to roam a museum undisturbed. If one was willing to go along with him, they'd see a side of Umberto that he kept to himselfㅡa side of him that was comfortable in his own skin, a side that was even confident because finally he was surrounded by things he was an expert on. Though CJ hadn't expected that they'd go to a museum, she was so happy now that they did.
The siblings had been silently wandering through an exhibit on vanguardia artists of Cuba, comfortable in each other's company as they explored the hall full of colorful pieces. The two didn't know what to sayㅡneither wanted to get too deep into discussion about how fucked up their family was, and they didn't yet feel ready to make some kind of casual conversation about how things have been. So, they'd mutually settled for this companionable silence, the quiet of the museum putting them at ease.
CJ eventually came to a pause in front of a portrait of a woman, reading the title La Gitana Tropical on the placard beside it before looking up at the painting again. There was something interesting about this painting compared to many of the others in the hallㅡthere was something somber and thoughtful about it, whereas many of the works around it had more life and color to them.
"Looks like mom." Umberto spoke from behind her, to which CJ glanced back with a smile, before looking to the painting again.
"Not quite her eyes." CJ responded, though nonetheless she too could see the resemblance to their mother. But CJ's smile became sad as she thought about Josephineㅡshe hadn't seen her mother since the night of the party, and now she found herself wondering about Josephine's well-being.
CJ turned around to her brother, and as if he read her mind Umberto spoke, "She's fine." CJ gave him a doubtful look, so he elaborated, "He hasn't hurt her, if that's what you're wondering. Pino may be fucked up, but one thing he does know is that you never raise a hand to your mother."
CJ gave a nod, upset that Pino's decency didn't extend any farther than that.
Umberto continued, "She worries about youㅡshe knows you're safe, but she misses you. We didn't tell her what happened; I can't… I don't want her to have that image of you in her head. All she knows is that you left because you were afraid of Pino, but I haven't told her any more."
CJ blinked to fight back tears that dared to well up in her eyes, "It's better she doesn't know… but I miss her."
"I can make plans for you to see her." Umberto set a comforting hand on CJ's shoulder, "Pino has no clue that we've been in touch, I can come up with something."
CJ considered the suggestion hopefully, but fear still nagged at her, "But what if he does find out? What if he finally does something to her?"
Umberto nodded in understanding of CJ's worries, "We don't need to make plans until we know he won't find out."
CJ chewed on the inside of her lips as she looked away from Umberto, her eyes roaming up and down the exhibit hall in thoughtㅡPino always had a way of finding out secrets. For all she knew, it wouldn't be safe for CJ to see her mother for a while. It was already risky enough making plans with Umberto, but they both knew that, like the misogynist asshole that he was, Pino by default trusted men more than women, and so he was foolish enough to let his guard down with Umberto. Not necessarily because he trusted Umberto, but because he could trust that he scared Umberto into submission, which oftentimes was true.
"We'll talk about it later." CJ replied, continuing through the art exhibit. From beside her, Umberto looked down at CJ with curious prideㅡthough a part of him was sad that CJ lost some of her youth, there was something about her new maturity that reassured him, that let him know that CJ would be alright.
The duo eventually reached the end of the exhibit, hovering outside of the exit to decide which direction to go in next. As they talked over whether to go left or right, a charming voice spoke up from behind them.
"Berto!" The two turned to the sound of the voice, CJ in confusion and Umberto with a smile on his face.
Behind them was Miguel, the man both of them had met way back at Falcone's party, though of course CJ didn't realize this at first. She'd only caught a single glimpse of the man once so many months ago, she certainly couldn't have committed his angular face to memory. But as she looked between Umberto and Miguel, watching the way they gave each other a familiar hug, she started to recall who this man was. A pleasantly surprised expression crossed CJ's face as she watched the way Umberto was looking at the second man, and she nearly laughed.
The men turned their attention to CJ, who bit her lip to avoid saying anything as Umberto began their introductions, "Miguel, you remember my sister CJ."
"Only vaguely, I'm afraid." Miguel answered with an accent and a kind smile, holding his hand out towards CJ. As she put her petite hand in his, the pair looked into each other's eyes unblinking, and CJ realized in that glance that Miguel knew about secrets that Umberto wouldn't tell just anyone.
"Miguel is one of the curators here." Umberto explained, and now CJ didn't hold back her amused laugh.
"You would get to know a man that works at your favorite museum." She teased, noticing the bashful look that Umberto tried to hide.
The siblings never talked about Umberto's relationships, and along that same vein they never talked about his sexuality either. It was a topic that Umberto wouldn't dare breach given who their family was, but in the last few years CJ had started to understand why Umberto never seemed to date. Neither could remember exactly when Umberto realized CJ knew, but they'd both kept it quiet since. It wasn't CJ's place to bring up the topic, and no matter how much he trusted her, Umberto was always afraid to have that inevitable discussion.
So, the fact that CJ was meeting Miguel again was shocking to say the least. It looked like she wasn't the only one that had changed in their time apart.
"Oh, so you only like me for my job?" Miguel teased Umberto, a loving smile on his face as he playfully bumped shoulders with his partner. The tips of Umberto's ears began to turn red as he looked down at his feet.
"Maybe I shouldn't have introduced you two." The trio grinned, CJ and Miguel laughing fondly at Umberto's shyness.
CJ was struck by how normal this felt, by how much she missed the days when she and Umberto could just have fun with one another. She found herself wondering how things could have gone if their lives were a little more normalㅡshe imagined going on more museum visits with Umberto, having dinners with her mom again. The idea of going on cheesy double dates with Umberto crossed CJ's mind, but she quickly shook the thought when her head filled in the image of who her date would possibly be if they all went out together.
Strangely enough, she found herself picturing Victor.
Her brow twisted in confusion, and CJ quickly dismissed the thought.
Miguel stayed to chat with the pair for another few minutes, suggesting which collections they should explore and discussing those he helped put together, but eventually he had to say his goodbyes and return to work. As Umberto watched the man walk off, CJ watched Umberto with a smile, feeling a warmth in her chest at the sight of her brother looking so happy and at ease, something that had been especially foreign to both of them these last five months. When Umberto looked back to his sister, he realized he'd been caught, and as he blushed her gave an unintimidating glare.
"Don't you dare." He started, sure that inevitably CJ would tease him as she gave a laugh at how bashful he was.
"What, don't want me to point out that you have it bad for that guy?" Umberto's eyes narrowed a little more as he fought the smile that dared to spread across his face, but the gleam of amusement in CJ's eyes was impossible to resist. He quickly spun on his heels to hide the smile that crossed his face, walking in the direction of the impressionist exhibit just up the hall. CJ caught up to him, looking up at his expression with another grin as they approached the first wall of paintings filled with pastel colors and beautiful scenery.
"What about you and Zsasz?" Umberto asked unexpectedly after a minute of them studying a piece by Monet. With a confused furrow of her brow, CJ turned her eyes to him in question.
"What do you mean?" Her tone surprised Umberto, causing him to realize she genuinely didn't catch his implication in the questionㅡhe was almost glad to see some of her innocence still remained.
Nonetheless, his brows rose at the fact that she didn't understand him, "Do you really not realize how strange it is that the two of you are… 'friends?'"
CJ sighed a little, growing tired of having this conversation with everyone, a slightly defensive look crossing her face, "Isn't it a little strange that I still get asked questions about Zsasz as if I'm not the daughter of a well-known Gotham mobster?"
Her retort was a surprise, but nonetheless amusing, causing Umberto to raise his hand defensively, "Hey, I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just saying you two seem close."
"How would you know?" CJ's eyes narrowed a little, to which Umberto pulled a face.
"That day at Falcone'sㅡthe way he looked at you, the way you were comfortable near him. There was… something about it." Umberto shrugged as if he was going to move on, turning his attention to the next painting as CJ studied him for a few long moments. She cocked her head while considering her brother's words, and then remembered that just minutes prior she pictured Victor in the double date scenario in her head.
With something akin to amusement on her face once she realized her brother's thought process, CJ followed Umberto as he walked up to another painting, "You think something's going on between me and Victor?"
Umberto glanced down at CJ thoughtfully, "I mean, you do call him Victor, so…"
CJ rolled her eyes, "But I'm not the only person that calls him that."
"Falcone is the only other person that does, as far as I know." Umberto shrugged.
"That doesn't mean anything." CJ defended, and despite herself it was her turn to blush ever so slightly, "We get along and we hang out, but that's because I have no one else to hang out with."
"What about your old friends?" Umberto suggested.
CJ sighed a little, shaking her head, "I don't… see them fitting in my world anymore. After everything, I don't want to go back to being the spoiled kid who spent time with 'normal' people to avoid her problems."
Umberto grinned goodnaturedly, "'Normal?' All those kids grew up just as spoiled as we did."
"You and I both know they wouldn't understand." CJ didn't need to explain what it was that her old friends wouldn't understand, because Umberto knewㅡthey were the kids of politicians and doctors and businesspeople, not the kids of mobsters.
The Maronis were a different breed, even if they tried to pretend they were like everyone else growing up, so Umberto knew exactly where CJ was coming from. The only people he ever spoke to from his school years these days were the kids Pino kept in touch with, the ones that were at least vaguely from similar mob-related backgrounds.
The two stood in silence for a brief moment, understanding each other without saying a word. CJ glanced up at the painting that they'd paused in front of, though she wasn't really taking in what she was looking at, instead caught up in her thoughts.
"… I saw Teresa a couple days ago." She said, meeting Umberto's eyes. He gave CJ a slightly surprised look, knowing that Teresa was closer to Pino these days than either of the two younger siblings. Knowing that Umberto would ask, CJ explained, "I stopped into her family's café while I was outㅡI guess a part of me did want to see a familiar face."
Umberto nodded in consideration, nearly tempted to ask if Victor was with her at the time, but decided against it, "How is she? I haven't seen her in a few months."
"Really?" CJ looked doubtful, and briefly worried if now her brother was beginning to lie to her, "I thought she saw you only a couple weeks ago."
Umberto quickly shook his head, "She was with Pino; I've been avoiding him, so I didn't go."
CJ stared for a moment just to make sure Umberto wasn't lying, relaxing a moment later once deciding that he was telling the truth, "She seems good, we didn't chat long. I didn't tell her what was going on, though it sounds like Pino's been talking about me."
Umberto rolled his eyes with a slight scoff, "Of course he hasㅡanything to take the blame off of himself."
CJ smirked at the show of annoyance, which Umberto didn't do too often, "Should I even try telling Teresa what really happened?"
"Hell no." Umberto answered with a dismissive laugh, "She likes Pino way too much, she probably wouldn't believe us."
The siblings both sighed, neither being particularly fond of Teresa's crush on their older brother. CJ puckered her lips in consideration, eyeing the paintings again, "Would it be good to spend time with her?"
"CJ, I'd be happy if you spent time with anyone at this point." Umberto smirked, "Just be smart, alrightㅡremember, she's Pino's friend more than she's mine or yours."
CJ considered if the warning was more complex than it sounded, if Umberto was more worried than necessary. At this rate, maybe there was no such thing as too worried, but on the flip side maybe there was no point in overthinking things at all. Teresa may have been close to Pino, but that didn't mean she was a bad person nor did it mean that she'd do anything to cause harm to CJ. The youngest Maroni knew in her gut that Teresa was someone decent despite the company she kept, and maybe spending some time with someone new would be good for CJ at this point.
CJ nodded while looking away from Umberto, spinning on her heel to look at all of the paintings around the room, letting the conversation dissolve away so that she could enjoy her brother's company again. A small smile spread across CJ's lips, as she looked back at him over her shoulder.
"So, you think Miguel could get me a job here?" She teased, to which Umberto rolled his eyes with a grin as he stepped forward to nudge her with his shoulder.
"As if you know the first thing about art." The two continued through the hall of paintings in lighter spirits than they felt in a long time.
Eventually, Umberto brought CJ home, the siblings struggling to say their goodbyes after the day they had. But Umberto finally managed to give his sister a comforting hug, promising that they'd see each other again soon and that he'd let their mother know about the day they had. At that, CJ smiled, though it was a mixture of both happiness and sadness that crossed her face at the mention of Josephine, to which Umberto gave her a reassuring look.
CJ watched Umberto retreat towards the elevator, the two giving each other a final wave as the doors chimed before Umberto disappeared through them, leaving CJ to stand in her door frame in thoughtful consideration. Umberto, too, was thoughtful and optimistic as he made his way down to the ground floor, stepping off the elevator with a skip in his step as he made for the exit.
But his excited pace faltered when he bumped shoulders with Victor Zsasz.
Umberto's eyes opened wide when he realized he was face to face with the last man he wanted to run into, and the frightened animal within him nearly bolted right then and there. But something about Victor's sure stance and dangerous gaze kept Umberto frozen in place, staring and waiting nervously for what the assassin would do next.
The corners of Victor's eyes wrinkled in scrutiny once he realized this was Umberto standing in front of him, having not immediately recognized the Maroni at first. His lips pressed firmly together as he stared into Umberto's eyes as if his gaze could pierce right through the man, and if Umberto's fearful expression was anything to go by, he, too, thought those dark eyes would stab into him. Umberto swallowed down the lump in his throat, trying to appear brave as he continued to stare dumbly at the assassin before him.
Straight-faced, Victor finally spoke in his unsettling monotone, "What are you doing here?"
Umberto hesitated for a moment, collecting his thoughts, taking a deep breath and answering simply, "Dropping off CJ."
"So, she's talking to you again." Umberto couldn't tell if Victor's words were a question or a statement, and so he remained silent in anticipation. Victor's brows rose, his face briefly looking less intimidating than it usually did, "It must have been a good apology."
Umberto quickly nodded, stumbling over his words, "Yeah, I'm lucky she forgave me… Thank you for looking out for her."
"Don't thank me." Though Victor's words echoed those that Don Falcone had spoken to Umberto some weeks ago, the man's tone was something entirely different, something low and menacing and dangerous. Umberto felt a chill roll through him as Victor practically bared his teeth, his nearly black eyes shining as if something was bubbling just beneath the surface. The assassin leaned forward in an imposing manner, dipping his head ever so slightly as he crowded Umberto's personal space, "Next time you're confronted with Pino, face him like a man."
The words caused Umberto to inhale sharply, the tone and intention triggering memories of his father, of the way Sal used to push him around and yell whenever he thought Umberto was acting weak and submissive. On impulse, Umberto tightly shut his eyes and clenched his jaw, as if awaiting a blow from his father, forgetting for that brief moment who was actually standing before him.
Hearing the gasp that escaped Umberto caused Victor to pull back slowly, brow slightly furrowed as he studied the other man's expression. He took a step back with a knowing look on his face, realizing exactly what Umberto must have been imagining behind his scared, closed eyes. Victor waited, staring at the other man as Umberto's expression relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly as he let out the breath he was holding, realizing how stupid he must look now that he remembered that it wasn't his father in front of him. He opened his eyes to find Victor staring through him yet again, causing Umberto to lean back slightly as he forced himself to maintain eye contact with the other man.
Though he couldn't say for sure, Umberto thought he saw something knowing and familiar in Victor's gaze, as if the assassin was silently telling him he understood without actually knowing how to properly relay that information. The expression caused Umberto's brows to furrow curiously, but before he could study the assassin's face any longer, Victor smoothly stepped around him and into the building without another look back.