Brutus regarded his mother in irritation. His gaze flickered to his dagger where it lay on a stool. “I do not share my movements with the city, Servilia. Are the men armed?”

She tucked and tweaked at the robe until it was ready to be clasped. “They are no danger to you. I told them you would listen to what they have to say. Then they will leave and Talia can finish her work, or you can join me for a meal in my rooms.”

“What are you doing, Mother?” Brutus asked, his voice growing hard. “I don’t like games or mysteries, or secrets.”

“See these men. Listen to them,” she said as if he had not spoken. “That is all.” She watched in silence as he tucked his dagger away and then she stood back to look at him. “You look strong, Brutus. Age has given you more than scars. I will send them in.”

She left and moments later the door swung open to admit two men of the Senate. Brutus knew them instantly and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Suetonius and Cassius were stiff with tension as they closed the door behind them and approached.

“What is so important that you must come to my mother’s house?” Brutus said. He crossed his arms carefully, leaving his right hand near the hilt of his dagger under the cloth.

Cassius spoke first. “Where else is private, in Rome?” he said.

Brutus could see the sinews standing out in the man’s neck. The senator was clearly under an enormous strain and Brutus disliked being so close to him.

“I will hear what you have to say,” Brutus said slowly.

He gestured to the bench and watched closely as both men sat down. He did not join them, preferring to remain able to move quickly if the need arose. Every instinct warned him to caution, but he showed them nothing. The hilt of his knife was comforting under his fingers.

“We will have no names, here,” Cassius said. “It is dark outside and we have not been seen. We have never met, in fact.” His taut features stretched into an unpleasant smile.

“Go on,” Brutus said, sharply, anger surfacing. “My mother has bought you a few moments. If you can say nothing of use, then leave.”

The two men exchanged glances and Cassius swallowed nervously.

Suetonius cleared his throat. “There are some in the city who have not forgotten the Republic,” he said. “There are some who do not enjoy the Senate being treated as servants.”

Brutus took in a sharp breath as he began to understand. “Go on,” he said.

“Those who love Rome may be dissatisfied with too much power in one man’s hands,” Suetonius continued. A fat bead of sweat worked its way down his cheek from his hairline. “They do not want a line of kings built on a corruption of foreign blood.”