"It's him," Selena said. "Matteo Moretti. He wants to speak to the Godmother."
Ava didn't blink.
She reached down and set the photo frame of her and Alex facedown on the desk. She stepped forward, eyes never leaving Selena's. Her voice was iron.
"Put him through."
Selena hesitated. "Ava…"
Ava raised one index finger, a subtle command to stop. Just one nod.
Selena handed over the phone.
Ava answered. "Matteo."
The voice on the other end was unmistakably his, gravel-laced and heavy with age and malice.
"I'm outside," he said. "And I don't do phone conversations. We'll speak face to face. Bring whoever you trust. Or don't."
He ended the call.
Selena's eyes widened as Ava handed the phone back.
"You're not actually going out there," Selena said.
"I am," Ava replied, already walking toward the door.
"He came this far. Let's see what ghosts he brought with him."
