"The minute is over," Nico said quietly.
Mara unbuckled her seatbelt. The shift in the atmosphere was so obvious she felt it in her bones. The warm, golden peace of the harbour town was instantly crushed under the suffocating reality of the Ferrante estate.
Nico pushed his door open and stepped out onto the gravel. He didn't bother checking his reflection or adjusting his jacket; the man who had sailed that boat was completely gone, replaced instantly by the Don.
Mara stepped out a second later.
Luca didn't wait for them to cross the courtyard.
He met them halfway; his posture was rigid beneath the Kevlar vest, and his dark eyes were fixed on Nico. He didn't waste time asking about their day. In this world, pleasantries were a luxury afforded only in peacetime.
"Bruno just made his move," Luca delivered it straight. "Exercising his authority as interim Chair. He called a mandatory session for nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
