“Believe it or not, that’s exactly what we wanted to do. Let bygones be bygones and move on, but lest you forget, Diego was Concepcion’s husband. She had every right to ask for the most severe penalty…which she did.”

“Are you saying she wanted Ruby’s head?”

“On a platter,” Max said, looking Bennett in the eye. “Luckily though, after Concepcion finished blustering and blithering all over the place for weeks, we reminded her of the facts. Not only was it because of Ruby we learned about Napoleon’s army, but she also fought alongside you and the others, putting her own life on the line to save a race she’s never even been a part of.”

“Then why the twenty-five years?”

“Because Concepcion is a haughty cow who likes to throw her weight around. When Ruby wakes up, she’ll inherit Etienne’s chair, so this most likely will be the first and last time Concepcion will ever have the upper hand. Although Concepcion was the wife of an original, Ruby is the daughter of Etienne, and as you know, we hold him dearly in our memory.”

“So this is just for show? They’re not really punishing Ruby. All they’re doing is stroking Concepcion’s ego.”

“Basically, yes, and like you said, twenty-five years is a drop in a bucket for us,” Max said. “And if it makes you feel any better, Ruby took it rather well.”

“She already knows?”

“Yes, she was here when we came to our decision earlier this week. She wanted me to tell you that there are no hard feelings, and she hoped you’d honor her wishes.”

“Her wishes? You’re talking like you’ve already locked her in a casket.”

“I have.”

“What? Damn it, Max. She’s got a right—”

“Bennett, it was her decision. She said there was no point in waiting. Her only request was that she be interred in your custody, and I saw no reason not to respect her wishes. So, you’ll have three coffins on your flight to Italy, instead of two. I hope I didn’t overstep.”

Bennett pulled in a breath and let it out in a whoosh. “You didn’t. I don’t mind watching over her, Max, but locked in a coffin? Don’t you think seeing her family slaughtered was punishment enough?”

“I do, which is why I’m thrilled you and Lisa are starting your world tour in Italy.”

“Why?”

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. “This is the key for the padlocks on Ruby’s coffin,” he said, handing it to Bennett. “In all the years I’ve owned the property in Tuscany, not one of the other council members has ever visited me there. It’s much too touristy for them. Mind you, this is just an FYI. I’m not insinuating you should do anything with this information.”