Daniel began to answer, then stopped, glancing at the guard.
“What’s wrong?” Luca asked.
“He’s afraid he’ll lose his job.”
“He should be afraid,” Vanessa said. “That ring cost more than he’ll earn in a year.”
Luca turned to the guard. “Give him room.”
The man stepped back. Daniel’s shoulders eased, and he signed again, his eyes fixed on Anna’s face to make sure she understood. When he finished, Anna’s hands went still.
Vanessa was no longer looking at Daniel. She was looking at Anna. “Anna,” she said softly, “remember who approves your hours.”
Anna’s mouth went dry. Those hours paid for her room. They paid for the evening classes she had finally started taking again. She looked down at the tablecloths at her feet, then back at Daniel.
“Translate his answer,” Luca said.