Chapter 516: The Pipe Whisperer
(Cleaners Quarters, Rooftop. 5:07 AM)
Leo returned to the top of the janitorial quarters building, his boots landing softly against the cold concrete rooftop as he adjusted his breathing and peeled away the weight of the last four hours from his expression.
Yet before he could even let out a sigh, a familiar voice cut through the early morning haze.
"You’re bloody slow, Cuz. I’ve been waiting for you for fifteen minutes now. Almost made me wonder if I should come back or whether you’d messed up," Veyr said, his voice low but teasing, as he stood there in full janitor gear with arms folded, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Leo couldn’t help but chuckle, relief creeping in at the sight of his cousin alive and composed, as that probably meant that his mission went well.
*Nod*
He gave Veyr a brief nod before slipping out of his assassin robes and into the janitor clothes he’d stashed behind the water tank earlier, the fabric still carrying the faint scent of detergent and rusted pipes, a sharp contrast to the stench of blood that currently clung to his skin.
"Want a smoke?" he offered, pulling a cigarette from the inner lining of his coat pocket and tossing it Veyr’s way.
Veyr caught it reflexively but frowned, waving the stick slightly in disapproval. "No... I don’t like the smell."
Leo shrugged as he lit his own, the tip flaring orange in the low light, casting a brief glow over his face as he took a slow drag and exhaled to the side, watching the smoke drift over the edge of the rooftop.