only

Caesare,” Marco

Caesare,” Marco replied earnestly. “ ’Tisn’t like the Jesolo, and it is. There are still snakes, only they don’t look like snakes. There are still gangs, only they don’t act like gangs.”
“How are you doing?” There seemed to be real warmth in Aldanto’s murky blue eyes, real concern.
Of course, that could just be concern over the Inquisition taking up one of Caesare Aldanto’s best informers, and one of the few folk who knew who and what he really was—but Marco didn’t think so. As much as Aldanto could—and more than was safe or politic—he cared for Marco’s welfare.
“All right, I think,” Marco gave him the same answer he’d given Petro Dorma.
Aldanto