They’re starting to step away from the table when I move forward between them.
“Wait.”
Everything stops.
Papers pause mid-air, chairs scrape once and then don’t move again. All of them look at me.
I don’t look at the map.
I look at them.
“When Matteo gets here,” I say evenly, “I’m the one killing him.”
Silence drops into the room.
Alex reacts first.
“No.”
I hold his gaze. “Yes.”
Max’s hand hovers near my back, unsure whether to pull me closer or keep me steady. Cassian shifts behind me, close enough that I feel him there without him touching. Enzo folds his arms slowly. Francesco straightens.
Marco just watches.
Alex steps toward me. “You won’t be near him.”
“I will.”
His voice lowers, controlled. “Angel—”
“It’s not up for debate.”
I don’t raise my voice.
I don’t repeat m
