Chapter 52. The Call

Margherita sat on the edge of her bed, fingers fidgeting in her lap when Ezio entered. He crossed the room without a word and handed her a burner phone.

“Don’t take long,” he said quietly.

She looked up at him, startled. “Thank you. I won’t say anything that could endanger anyone, I promise.”

Ezio nodded, already turning to leave.

“You’re not staying?” she asked, confused.

He gave her a faint smirk. “Let’s call it an experiment. Trust.”

And then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

Margherita sat there for a long breath, staring at the phone in her palm. Her heart hammered painfully. She inhaled, pressed the number she’d known since childhood, and held the phone to her ear.

It rang once. Twice. Three times.

“Come on,” she whispered. “Please, pick up…”

Finally—a click.

“Hello?” The voice on the other end was rough, familiar.

Her throat tightened. “Padrino… it’s me.”

There was silence—and