Page 18 of Sacred Hearts

“It was an unusual meeting.” I signal the waiter, ordering my usual without looking at the menu. “He’s not what you’d expect.”

“Meaning?”

I hesitate, unsure how to explain. “He’s genuine. Thoughtful. Surprisingly progressive in his thinking.”

“And extremely handsome,” Sophia adds casually.

My head snaps up. “What?”

“Just observing.” She stirs her coffee with maddening slowness. “The youngest Pope in centuries happens to look like a Renaissancepainting of a sexy twink come to life, and you’ve been staring into space since meeting him.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’ve been distracted because someone tried to kill me last week and my government is imploding.”

“Of course.” She doesn’t bother hiding her skepticism. “So what’s your plan for salvaging the legislation?”

I welcome the subject change. “We need to identify the non-negotiables versus what we can compromise on.”

“Start with the disclosure requirements for family members,” she suggests. “That’s where the fiercest resistance is coming from.”

“That’s also where the most corruption hides.”

“Then stagger the implementation. Current officeholders disclose immediately, but family members get a six-month grace period.”

I consider this. “It creates a loophole.”

“It creates breathing room,” Sophia counters. “You need to give them something, Matteo.”

Our food arrives, and I realize I have no appetite despite having skipped breakfast. My mind keeps circling back to the Vatican Bank issue and Marco’s troubled expression when I mentioned the investigation.

“Earth to Matteo,” Sophia waves her hand before my face. “You disappeared again.”

“Sorry.” I force myself to focus. “The Vatican Bank has an ongoing investigation that might also connect to our corruption cases.”

Sophia lowers her voice. “That’s dangerous territory. The Church has powerful allies in parliament.”

“Which is exactly why it needs investigating.”

“One battle at a time,” she advises. “Secure your anti-corruption package first, then worry about the Vatican’s finances.”

I nod, but my thoughts have already drifted back to Marco’s library, the way his eyes lit up discussing reform, the unexpected comfort Ifelt in his presence.

“There you go again,” Sophia observes. “What exactly did you and the Pope discuss that’s got you so preoccupied?”

“Theology,” I answer vaguely.

“You hate theology.”

“I found his perspective… interesting.”

Sophia sets down her fork. “Matteo, I’ve known you your entire life. You’ve never found theological discussions ‘interesting.’”

I meet her gaze directly. “People can surprise you.”

“Yes,” she agrees with a knowing smile. “They certainly can.”

* * *

The emergency coalition meeting that afternoon makes the morning cabinet session look like a friendly chat. I sit at the head of the table while Riccardo distributes compromise proposals.

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