Chapter 210

• GUSTAVO
• I sat in the surveillance room with the lights low, the only glow coming from the row of screens in front of me. The hum of the machines filled the space, steady and low. I pulled up the footage from last night’s dinner. Found the moment I wanted. Hit play.
• There she was. Valentina across the table from me, candlelight on her face. I watched her listen while I talked about the alliances for the ball. When I gave her the short answer about an old family tie, she didn’t nod and move on. She leaned forward just enough.