Page 51 of The Dangerous Dance

"You know each other well enough to know exactly where to cause maximum damage," Ailish says. "That's not the same thing."

"Ailish."

"I know." She exhales. "I know you've made the decision. I'm just—" She stops. Looks at her hands. "He's not himself right now. He's been in Connolly's ear for months and Connolly has been — I think Connolly has been working on him. Specifically. Deliberately. Not just expressing disagreement but actively—" She stops again.

"Dismantling him," I say quietly.

She looks up. "Yes."

"Which means when we fight, I'm fighting what Connolly's built in him as much as I'm fighting Declan." I sit back. "I know that. I'm going in knowing that."

She nods. "When."

"End of the week. I want the Connolly question answered first. If what I think is there is there, it changes what I say to Declan after." I look at her. "You're going to be there."

"Obviously."

"And Finn."

Something in her expression shifts. "You're going to ask Finn."

"He's family. He deserves to be there." I pause. "And I need someone to pull Declan back if it goes longer than it should."

"What makes you think Finn could pull Declan back."

"Nothing," I say. "But he's the only one Declan won't read as taking my side, and that matters for what comes after."

She is quiet, considering this. Then she nods once.

"The Italians," I say. "Marco called yesterday. He's extending the patience but it has a shape now. He used the word timeline."

"Then you need to call him back."

"I know."

She stands. "I'll be here when you're ready to talk through Declan." She picks up her bag. "And Liam." She pauses at the door. "Whatever you're doing with the Russian. Be careful."

"I'm being careful."

"Be more careful than that."

She goes.

Marco picks up on the second ring.

"Liam." The first-name register again. Familiarity as information.

"Marco. I owe you an apology for the continued postponements."

"You owe me an explanation," he says. "The apology is implied."

"Fair." I sit forward. "There have been internal developments that required my attention before I could come to the table with the full picture. That's the honest version."

"And the full picture now."

"Is closer to full than it was a week ago." I pause. "The Bayonne hit and the supply route interference — I believe I know the source. I'm in the process of confirming it. When I can confirm it, I'll bring you everything."

A silence. Measured. "Are we talking about Russian interest."