“Not a good reason,” Budimir interjects, before Kovar can get a word in. “Kovar should have been included in the council meetings from the beginning.”
“Stanislav was threatened by my presence,” Kovar replies. “Which is the only reason he convinced you all that I was a menace. Why, I wouldn’t hurt a butterfly!”
I grit my teeth, trying to control the rage that roils through me at his words.
“My brothers,” Budimir says, standing up. “I invited you all here today to usher in a new era. My brother was a good don, but he was short-sighted. His ambitions were painfully… limited.”
As Budimir continues to parrot his agenda for a bigger and brighter future, I notice Guzik scanning the room.
He’s the most still of all the dons, and yet, his eyes are never stationary. They land on Adrik—and I see
