Chapter 35. Before Tomorrow

Rosa stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, the frown between her brows deep enough to cut stone.

“You’ve lost your mind,” she hissed the moment Ezio stepped into the hall. “This—this insanity—exposing her and yourself like this? You’ll get her killed. Or worse.”

Ezio kept his voice low, steady. “It’s all planned. No one will touch her.”

Rosa scoffed. “You can’t plan against Benedetti.”

Before he could answer, the soft creak of a door interrupted them. Margherita stepped out, wrapped in a wool coat and scarf, her hair braided simply. Her eyes, calm and unreadable, flicked between them.

“Don’t start,” she said gently when Rosa turned toward her.

Rosa’s expression softened into something close to pleading. “Ragazza, you can still change your mind. You don’t have to do this.”

Margherita smiled faintly. “I don’t want to hide forever.”

Her voice was quiet but certain. She crossed the room toward Ezio, stopping in front of him. “Let