“I’ll let her know,” Kaz promises. “Though I disagree that a life of crime is a bad start.” He knows that he would not be making a convincing case to Alina though if he uses himself as an example. They’re acquaintances, not friends but at least on the same-ish side of most conflicts that life’s tossed them together to handle. He knows her well enough to know she’d find most of what he does unscrupulous and distasteful, though she’s not above using his talents much like Zoya is. He doesn’t really mind the hypocrisy of them paying him to do things they morally refuse to do, as long as he does get paid.

And he completely agrees with Alina that children should have a safe place and someone looking out for them. She’s definitely strong enough now to be the person she needed growing up. So is he.

He smiles a little as Piper and Adonis banter back and forth between one another, busying himself with pouring two fingerfuls of whiskey into the glasses when Piper gets out the booze. He doesn’t add ice or any mixer, preferring to drink it straight as that’s the easiest. “If I’m a menace, remember you’re the one who invited me into your kitchen,” Kaz points out, taking a small sip of his drink and offering the other to Piper. Although Kaz pays such painstaking attention to detail that he’s likely competent in a kitchen, he simply has never bothered to pay much time in one.

“Fettuccine's fine with me.” He sets his glass down, away from where they’ll be cooking. “What are the steps?” Rather than asking how to begin, Kaz of course wants an overview of the entire game plan.