Summary

In Chapter Nine, Alessa arrives at Bottom of the Barrel, a tavern filled with people jeering at the man- called the Wolf- waiting in a cage for his opponent. Another man, called the Bear, arrives and Alessa is surprised when the Wolf holds his own. However, when someone on the outside throws glass into the cage, the Bear uses the unfair distraction to hit the Wolf in the back. He survives the deadly blow and beats the Bear into submission before leaving.

Alessa finds the Wolf arguing over pay with the barkeeper and notices his criminal marks. She buys him a whisky, but he warns her to leave before someone else recognizes her. She asks to hire him, but he refuses, not interested in saving Saverio or in the safety she is offering. However, when she tearfully tells him about the botched assassination...