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“No. You keep walking.”
Noah huffed, his lips twisted into a smirk. He looked between Mara and me before walking away.
The moment he was gone, I turned to Mara. “Let me get you to the infirmary.” She didn’t say a word as I walked her there. Once I knew she was safe with the nurse, I headed off to find Lieutenant Andrews—a man I was close to and one I hoped could help Mara.
But after I explained the situation to him, he just shook his head and sighed. “I’m sorry, Theo. There isn’t much I can do to help.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, how do I know Mara was assaulted? She could have been asking for it.”
“She wasn’t asking for it,” I growled.
“Ok, ok.” He held his hands up. “All I’m saying is, you weren’t there. These things are tricky. Besides, Noah Smith is the son of Colonel Smith. You know that boy won’t face any punishment.”
“I don’t fucking care. I’m going to make sure I help Mara. I’m going to report what I saw.” I stood up and headed for the door when Andrews called out to me.
“Theo, listen. If you pursue this, your career is over. And Mara won’t win. You won’t win. It’s better just to keep your head down and do what you’re told.”
I couldn’t believe it. I saw an assault take place, and I was being asked to be quiet. I knew what the right thing to was, but I also knew Andrews was right. Someone like Noah would never face the consequences.
But I had to try.
I left and found Mara, wanting to make sure she was all right before I said anything else. But when I got to the infirmary, the nurse told me Mara left. I asked around for her when I was pulled into the office of Colonel Smith himself.
“Where’s Mara?” I asked.
“Private Whitlock is gone,” he told me.
I froze. “What?”
“She packed up her things and left. Just like that.” He snapped his fingers. “So, there’s no need for you to ask about her.”
“But …”
“Mr. Williams, let me give you some advice. You’re shaping up to be a good soldier. Potentially one of the best I’ve ever seen at the academy. You want a career in the military, yes?”
“Of course, but?—”
“So,” he said, cutting me off, “you will stop asking questions. You will forget you ever saw anything today. You will keep your head down and be a good soldier. Yes?”
I wanted to object. I wanted to walk out and do the right thing, but …
What difference did it make?
Mara left, and Noah would get away with what he’d done. There wasn’t anything I could do.
So, I nodded and left Colonel Smith’s office, shame weighing on my heart.
Back in the present, I think about Salvatore and how he reminds me so much of the men who never face any kind of punishment.
I wasn’t able to save Mara. I wasn’t able to save Giulia from Franco.
But I need to try and save Cecilia from Salvatore.
There’s only one person I can talk to.
Antonio’s houseis a lot bigger than I’d expected. I know he lived in a tiny apartment for years while in hiding. I guess money makes you want bigger and better things.
