Chapter 5
Carlo defended himself exactly as I expected.
He said Bellini faced a larger problem.
The Whitfield alliance.
Mara’s family controlled clubs, transport, and several old relationships Bellini had lost access to.
A marriage between Evan and Mara could repair all of it.
But Derek wanted guarantees.
One was Evan leaving the senior table.
Why?
Because Whitfield did not want one of its daughters married to a Bellini who remained politically dependent on his older brother.
That was the polite version.
The real version was simpler.
They wanted Evan separated from me.
Mara became his primary family.
Derek became his strongest male ally.
Carlo became the Bellini elder approving the transition.
Three people around one man who had already been taught that asking his brother for help was embarrassing.
Perfect.
“What did you get?” I asked Carlo.
His expression hardened.
“Bellini stability.”
I almost laughed.
“What did you get?”
Silence.
Evan understood first.
“A seat.”
Carlo looked at him.
My brother continued.
“My seat.”
There it was.
Evan leaving council created a vacancy.
Carlo had been pushing for a “permanent elder seat” for years.
I refused because retired advisers already had enough influence.
If Evan voluntarily stepped away during an alliance negotiation, Carlo could argue continuity required the chair remain occupied.
By him.
Not about Whitfield.
Not really.
Mara wanted a husband easier to control.
Derek wanted access to Bellini.
Carlo wanted institutional power.
Three ambitions using one man’s insecurity.
Carlo looked offended.
“You think everything is selfish.”
“No.”
I spoke slowly.
“I think selfish people love describing what benefits them as necessary for everyone.”
Evan almost smiled.
Carlo did not.
Then I asked:
“Who else promised Derek access?”
Carlo said nothing.
Meaning someone had.
Good.
Another layer.
I returned to the council room.
Three men who had raised their hands earlier remained under guard.
Thomas.
Vincent.
Paul.
I asked once.
Vincent answered.
“Derek promised us the east clubs.”
Not Carlo.
May you like
Derek.
The Whitfields were already dividing Bellini property before the marriage occurred.
