a's

into the room, every

out of his shadow, the attention followed-sharp, curious, predatory. The kind t

d like they'd buried secrets and people with the same calm ha

he asked. I opened my mo

he chair at the head of the table-less a seat, more

roke out i

Don's house?"

ossible?" Ano

he decided to let out." An

began serving. My movements were smooth, deliberate. If th

till. Faces carved by power, patience, and long memory. A fe

o's voice cut clean

t. Long enough to remind myse

oat c

almly. His voice was careful, measured. Not rushed. Not foolish. The

pa

lling to compensate you generously. Or-name a price.

I knew that. But I look

rained way. Sharp features. Controlled posture. Dark hair brushed with grey at the templ

throat

oom went dead still. "She was traded to me," he continued, voice even, cold steel

e. "You don't get to price what's already

ips parte

scuss why this meeting was organized," Carlino said f

cked to me. "And

ou-eyes d

st. Fear, yes. But also someth

t not before straigh

en myself. I set the tray down carefully. No

t

the door slightly ajar, I peeped

een a slight dip in the northern route

pa

, Ruggero," Ca

r. Street level hasn't felt it yet, but t

ath. Somethin

ing feeling I was standing closer t

arrowing-not in surprise, but calcul

. Two of our carriers altered schedules w

hey don't change schedule

ro agreed.

Heavy. No one r

oduct?" Car

. "Same quality. Same so

is testing patience, not declaring

stock issue you asked about. The white shipme

wer, Luca?" C

ise flags. Enough to start whispers." Carli

ouder than gunfire." The room went

, "split the northern distribution. Half moves east fo

. "That'll reb

gaze. "Replace the two carriers. Don

t Matteo's mouth as he

low Valencia by another day. Make it look intention

"Consider it d

, it's polite pressure. Which means it's comin

not?" Kenji

ino replied evenly. "And when th

raised voices.

end. "Adjust quietly. Keep our p

an old law lingers in the shadows of every throne," the man began. "A king without a queen is a king waiting to fall.

om lis

e who steadies the hand-the empire becomes a can

have ruled for years," he said

replied, voice steady, "the throne will be

ung there.