Page 197 of Ricardo

“Not here,” Mario answers.

Julia’s hand tightens around the stem of her glass. “You don’t know what he wants.”

“Exactly,” Mario says. “We need to find out.”

“And if he came here hoping you would react publicly, giving him that would help him.”

Mario’s mouth twitches faintly. “You think I need that explained?”

“No,” Julia says. “But I am nervous, and explaining things gives me something to do.”

Victoria makes a small sound beside Mario, almost a laugh, though there is worry beneath it.

Mario looks at Julia for another second. “Fair.”

Lorenzo shifts his glass to his other hand. “First step is entry chain. Who requested the substitution, when, who approved it, who printed the badge, who cleared him at the door.”

“Get Matteo and Tomasso on it,” Mario says.

I look toward the far side of the room.

Dante stands near the port redevelopment table, speaking with an aide from the commissioner’s office. His tuxedo is perfect. His face is polite. His anger is visible only because I raised him and know exactly what it looks like.

He has barely looked at me tonight.

He has looked at Julia less.

But he is here.

That has to mean something, even if he would deny it.

“Dante knows the South Harbor names,” I say.

Julia goes still beside me.

Mario’s eyes move to mine.

Lorenzo’s expression tightens, but he says nothing.

“Can he do the work tonight?”

The question is not an insult. It is practical.

My son is furious with me. Furious with Julia. Betrayed by both of us. But Dante has and always will put family first.

“Yes,” I say. “He can.”

Mario nods once. “Bring him in.”

“I will.”

Julia’s hand brushes mine.

The touch is small enough no one else sees it.

I feel it everywhere.

Mario turns to Lorenzo. “Find Diego and inform him. I want Edoardo and Alessio in this room with their eyes on him.”