Chapter 73. Playing the Hero

The afternoon drifted by faster than Gabriella expected. She barely noticed time slip past, swept up by the crowd, the lights, and the buzz of a world that felt almost normal again. Designers spoke about their projects, students presented their sketches—and for a few hours, she forgot about safe houses, guards, or guns.

By the time she stepped out into the fading daylight, her bag was heavy with brochures and hope. “Maybe,” she told herself, “if I work hard, I could get an internship next year.”

One of the guards came up behind her. “We should go,” he said, already scanning the street.

They were halfway to the car when Gabriella slowed, glancing across the road. “Can I stop by the bookshop? It’ll take two minutes.”

The driver was crouched by the rear wheel, cursing. “Dio santo—someone cut the tyre.”

Gabriella frowned. “Then while you deal with it, I’ll go grab the books, okay?”

The guard hesitated, weighing duty against simplicity. “Fine. J