A week later.The soldier’s knock dragged Rose out of her half-sleep. She dressed quickly, confusion tugging at her chest, and followed him down the corridor.Her heart thumped painfully. They never called her like this. Guards stood thicker than usual along the walls, stiff-backed, rifles in hand. Something was wrong.The atrium opened wide before her, its vaulted ceiling catching the first wash of pale light. On the men’s side, Vittorio sat in his armchair, massive and immovable, his cane resting across his lap like a sceptre. Around him clustered uncles and older cousins, dark suits and harder faces. Dante stood a pace behind his father, his jaw locked, hands folded in front of him, unreadable.Luca stood farther forward, just shy of Vittorio’s chair. His posture was composed as if he had been waiting for this moment.On the women’s side, Caterina sat stiffly, her hands folded white in her lap. Bianca leaned back in her chair. Ros
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