"Ezio, maybe another week if he continues this well. Eva needs longer—her lungs need more time to develop. But we're optimistic."
The visit ended too soon, but Valentina was calmer afterward. Seeing them thriving had eased something in her.
Back at the facility, Domenico arrived with grim news.
"Marco was spotted three hours ago at a gas station outside Billings. Two hundred miles from here."
My blood ran cold. "Heading this way."
"The FBI is setting roadblocks and coordinating with local law enforcement. But he's got professional help—the prison assault was executed with military efficiency. Whoever funded his escape is still helping him now."
"Then the FBI can't stop him. Not alone."
"No."
I met Domenico's eyes and saw my own certainty reflected there. Marco was coming. Nothing would stop him.
But we could be ready.
Rodriguez appeared with the final operational plan.
"Controlled leak through the suspected compromised channel—let them 'discover' Ms. DeLuca will be at the NICU tomorrow, two p.m. Reduced security due to budget constraints."
"Except the reduced security is an illusion," I said.
"Exactly. Tactical teams are positioned throughout the hospital. Sharpshooters on the surrounding buildings. Every entrance covered."
"The babies?" Valentina asked.
"Evacuated to a secure wing the moment we confirm Marco's people are in the building. They'll be protected completely."
It was the best plan we had. The only plan.
That night, Valentina and I lay together in the warehouse room, the silence heavy between us.
"We're really doing this," she said.
"We're really doing this."
"I'm terrified."
"Me too." I pulled her close. "But we've survived everything else."
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"If it comes down to choosing between stopping Marco and protecting me—choose me. Choose our family." Her eyes were fierce in the dim light. "Our babies need their father. I need you. Promise."
"I promise,principessa."
She pressed her forehead to mine. "Tomorrow, we end this. Then we bring our babies home."
"Tomorrow," I agreed.
But as we held each other in the darkness, I couldn't shake the cold certainty: tomorrow, someone would die. I just had to make sure it wasn't anyone I loved.
Earlier that day, while we'd been planning, Livia had pulled me aside in the facility hallway.
