My relief is so profound that my knees actually do wobble, and Alessia quickly moves in to support me.
Gina’s hand settles firmly at my back as well, steadying me with quiet strength.
Without me hardly being aware of it, the doctor has continued to speak.
“The bullet passed through his shoulder.There was significant blood loss, but we were able to stop the bleeding and repair the damage.”
Matteo’s voice cuts in quietly, and he asks the question I can’t form.“Is he going to live?”
The doctor nods.
“And he’ll be okay?”Dario presses.
“Yes.”
Oh God.
Oh God.
Oh God.
I squeeze my eyes shut, giving thanks in a way I never have before.
“He’s stable now,” the surgeon continues.“He should regain consciousness within the hour.”
And now, I’m so overcome that I’m actually shaking.
“You can see him soon,” the doctor adds.
My throat is so tight that I can barely force out the words, “Thank you.”
He nods once and disappears back through the doors.
Everyone finally exhales.
Dario drags a hand through his hair.“That could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.”
Matteo draws his eyebrows together.“Dante got lucky.”He glances at me.“Valentina got lucky.”
Everyone’s attention is riveted on him.
“As of tonight, we are at war.”
Matteo stands utterly still, and the weight of his declaration settles over the room.
“And whoever started it will pay in blood.”
ChapterThirty-Two
Valentina
The room is dim when they finally let me in.
Not dark, but softened, the harsh hospital lights turned down low so that the machines don’t glare and the monitors cast only a faint blue glow across the white sheets.
The steady beep of Dante’s heart rate fills the space like a metronome, slow and deliberate, proof that the bullet didn’t win.
I stand just inside the door for a long moment, hands formed into fists at my sides, letting the antiseptic chill settle over my skin, letting my pulse match the rhythm of the machine before I trust my legs to carry me forward.
