Chapter 6
I cut the second seam myself.
A ring dropped into my palm.
Blackened silver.
Waverly crest.
Different edge from mine.
Two small notches.
The duplicate.
Fifteen years of grievance reduced to an object small enough for Bruno to carry unnoticed.
Elias stared.
Victoria cried.
I felt almost nothing.
That worried me.
Power objects are only powerful because people agree.
My father understood that late.
Apparently he hid the ring instead of destroying it because he wanted proof.
Then forgot one obvious problem.
Proof becomes temptation.
I placed the ring on the table.
Elias moved half an inch.
My bodyguard noticed.
So did I.
“Do you still want it?”
He stared.
“No.”
Lie.
I smiled slightly.
“Good.”
He hated being read.
Then I played the second tape.
My father explained why he kept the duplicate.
Victor had denied making it.
Andrew eventually retrieved it.
My father wanted one day to confront Victor with proof.
Never did.
Pride.
Then Victor died.
Andrew died.
Time passed.
The ring became less useful and more embarrassing.
So my father hid it.
His final instruction:
“Dominic, if anyone comes looking for this, don’t ask whether they deserve the ring.”
Pause.
“Ask why they still need you to believe it matters.”
That line hurt Elias.
Good.
Victoria looked at me.
“What will you do?”
I picked up the ring.
Everyone expected destruction.
I did not.
I placed it in my pocket.
“Nothing tonight.”
That frightened them more.
Instant punishment is easy.
Waiting leaves people alone with consequence.
Then Maya asked quietly:
“Boss?”
I looked at her.
“Bruno.”
She pointed toward the door.
The old dog was pacing.
He wanted out.
Normal need.
I almost laughed.
Politics could wait.
I took him into the garden.
Maya came because he trusted her.
May you like
For ten minutes, the supposed symbol carrier sniffed hedges and ignored history.
Useful perspective.
