The meeting was over, but the air in Nicky's apartment was still heavy with unsaid things.
Valeria was the first to speak again, her arms crossed as she leaned against the kitchen counter. "If we do another video, I want to be in it this time."
Luca nodded. "Me too. Last time it was just Nicky and Eliana. If this is going to be the line we draw, we all stand behind it. Publicly."
Nicky stiffened. "No."
Everyone turned.
Renee raised an eyebrow. "No?"
Nicky rubbed his jaw. "No. And you two—" he glanced at Luca and Valeria—"you have careers to protect. One wrong frame and they'll twist it into vanity or manipulation. I can handle the fallout. I don't want it dragging you down with me."
Valeria's eyes narrowed slightly. "So what, only you two get to speak? The rest of us don't count?"
"That's not what I said."
