“Massimo,” Dario said quietly.
Massimo stooped down and gingerly cradled Alessandra in his arms, then lifted her like the rest of us might have picked up a child.
“WAIT,” I snapped, “we have to talk about this – ”
“There’s no time,” Lars said.
“I want Dr. Aiello!” Alessandra sobbed as Massimo carried her out of the room. The rest of us followed in her wake.
“San Luca’s only ten minutes away,” I pointed out. “Florence is an hour – ”
“Not the wayIdrive,” Rachel said.
“But an ambulance will have medical equipment – ”
“An ambulance is going to take ten minutes to get here atleast,then another ten to the hospital,” Lars said. “If you call the cops and make sure nobody stops her, Rachel can get her to the hospital in Florence in 30.”
Shit.
I pulled out my phone and dialed the garage.
A foot soldier picked up immediately.“Yes, sir.”
“Six Mercedes and the Bugatti out front IMMEDIATELY,” I ordered, “and sixteen foot soldiers ready to go.”
“Right away, sir,”the foot soldiers said, then hung up.
“Alright,” I said. “Rachel, you and Lars take Alessandra to Florence. Dario, youhaveto stay here – ”
“NO,” he snarled.
I grabbed his jacket and hauled him back. “Do I have to remind you that Cesare Caproni is out thereright now?!”
Dario forcibly removed my hand. “I don’t care. I’m going with my wife.”
“Dario – ”
“That’s an order,” he hissed.
FUCK!
“Then Lars has to go with you,” I said.
“No problem,” Lars replied.
Dario seemed satisfied and walked on ahead with Massimo.
But before Lars and Rachel could follow him, I whispered, “Rachel can’t go.”
The two of them turned around to stare at me.
“Why not?!” Rachel demanded.
“Because I need oneof you here at the house. We have a fucking madman out there, and in case he decides to come knocking,oneof you has to stay.”
“The foot soldiers can handle it – ” Lars started.
“Are you willing to bet everyone’s life on it?” I asked defiantly.
