“I wouldn’t if I were you. I’m armed.”
“So am I, yet neither of us is drawing any weapons.”
Varnelli smiled. “Perhaps we know our methods of destruction aren’t physical.”
Francesca’s lips thinned. “Mymethods of destruction? That’s rich.”
Varnelli’s gaze shot to Lucia. “You’re not needed here, forger. Leave us.”
Lucia flinched, hands clenching as she looked at Francesca.
“I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Aww. Theundeservedloyalty you garner… It’s almost tragic.” She canted her head. “How do you do that?”
“Lucy, go.”
Lucia hesitated, her gaze shifting from Francesca to Varnelli and back before she headed outside.
“Switching you to a private channel,” Jules murmured in Lucia’s ear. “Francesca and Skye can’t hear me now. Don’t go to Skye—she’s fine. I told her to stay put. Hide behind that crate. I’ll feed you the audio from Francesca’s gear.”
From her angle outside the storage room, Lucia couldn’t see the door—just flickers of shadow as her earpiece crackled.
“I’m surprised you showed up alone. Your arrogance is usually not that delusional,” Francesca said.
“I’m not. The guards wanted to storm in here, but I sent them to watch the exits. Wouldn’t want anyone to leave before we’re ready.”
“Ready for what? What did you do with myMadonna?”
A burst of static made Lucia miss the beginning of the next sentence.
“…all you ever cared about.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Francesca asked. “You’re the one who ruined everything.”
Varnelli laughed, but it wasn’t mocking or nonchalant. It sounded hollow. Pained. “I suppose rewriting history isn’t something just nations excel at.”
“Cut to the chase, Val. What do you want?”
“What I’ve always wanted,Fran.”
Silence.
Lucia dug her nails into her palms.
“And that’s what?”
“Leaving your heart as shattered as you’ve left mine.”
Lucia stifled a gasp.
“You did this to yourself! The risks you took… You were reckless, and we’ve had this discussion before. You chose your own path.”
“No, Francesca. Youleftme. And so I took the only thing that ever meant something to you.”
“Do you think it was easy to walk away and give up…” Francesca’s voice broke. “God, Val. Why wasthatyour solution? You know exactly what theMadonnameans to me.”
Quiet—to the point where Lucia was about to tap her earpiece when Valentina said, “I shouldn’t have been the only one left bleeding.”
