“He is a man who walks among you without fearing your judgment. He is a leader who listens before he commands. He is someone who chooses his family…not by blood, not by name…but by loyalty.”
He tilts his head, eyes warm but sharp.
“And that is why you are not ready.”
Spike frowns. “Explain.”
“Because ifIl Donwalked through this door right now, without title… without guards…” Luca gestures around the room. “Half of you would not believe he is who he is. And the other half would be furious you didn’t know sooner.”
A cold shiver skates down my spine.
“Why would he expect us to be furious?” I ask.
Luca shrugs gently. “Because men of honor do not like to be surprised. AndIl Donrespects honor more than power.”
Bones huffs. “And why wouldhecare whetherwelike him or not?”
Luca’s smile fades into something sincere.
“Because he admires you.”
The room goes silent.
Luca meets each of our eyes one by one.
“And because whether you realize it or not…you have already earned his loyalty.”
Something twists in my chest.
A feeling I don’t like.
A feeling that says we’re standing on the edge of a truth that won’t make sense until it hits us like a freight train later.
Luca stands smoothly.
“When he comes to you,” he says, “you will understand. His truth is not a threat.”
He places a hand over his heart. “It is a gift.”
And something about the way he says it makes the entire room uneasy.
Not scared.
Not suspicious.
Just… waiting.
“Enzo will show you out,” Luca says as he turns toward the door he entered from, his suit jacket falling perfectly back into place.
He pauses only a beat before adding, without glancing over his shoulder:
“Ah… and please, put the knives away, Bones.”
Bones freezes, his hands on the hilt of one of his toys.
Luca continues, completely unfazed.
“I’ve been informed the children have finished their lessons and are roaming the halls. Best not to frighten them.”
