“She’s more protected than contained,” he says.
“No.”
“Yes.”
A second rare word from him. He has earned the right to it.
“You’re choosing her safety over council ease,” he says.
“Council ease isn’t authority.”
“No. But council doubt weakens it.”
I nod. “Yes.”
“And you’re allowing doubt.”
“I’m managing it.”
“For how long?”
“As long as required.”
“For her?”
“For the system.”
He hears the weakness. So do I.
Marco is silent for a moment. “If Giulio moves formally?”
“He won’t.”
“If he does.”
“He’ll lose.”
“If the vote is closer than expected?”
“It won’t be.”
Salvatore catches up with me the moment Marco leaves for duty. “Alessandro?”
I turn to look at him. “What?”
“Is there something I should know?”
Not about the girl. Not about the council. He doesn’t need to specify.
“No,” I reply.
Salvatore exhales through his nose. “I see.”
As he leaves, we both know this conversation isn’t over. I just don’t know which way it’s going to end.
Chapter 19
Third Crossing
