"I'm sorry," I whisper, and I don't know if I'm talking to the baby or to Romeo or to myself. "I'm so sorry."
The car speeds through the darkness, and all I can do is hold on and pray that we're not too late. That I haven't destroyed everything by choosing love in a world drowning in violence.
The cramping intensifies, and I scream again. Giulia's hand tightens around mine. "Almost there," she whispers. "Almost there."
But I don't know if almost is going to be good enough.
28
ROMEO
The phone rings just before midnight, and I know before I answer that something is wrong.
Giulia never calls this late unless it's an emergency. I’m already reaching for my keys when I see her name on the screen.
"What's wrong?" I don’t bother with a greeting. I need to know what’s happening.
"Romeo—" Her voice breaks, and ice floods my veins. "It's Savannah. She's—there's blood. She's cramping. Something's wrong, Romeo, something's really wrong?—"
"Where are you?" I'm already moving, grabbing my jacket and my wallet, checking for my gun out of pure instinct, even though no weapon can fight this threat.
"In the car. Marco's driving. We're twenty minutes from the hospital, but Romeo, she's in so much pain, and the blood—there's so much blood?—"
"Which hospital?" My voice is steady even though my hands are shaking. Even though my entire world is tilting sideways.
She gives me the name of the hospital. “It's the closest one with a good OB department. Romeo, what if—what if we're losing?—"
"Don't." The word comes out sharp and desperate. "Don't say it. Just keep her calm. Keep her talking. I'm on my way."
I end the call and I bolt out the door, taking the stairs because the elevator is too slow. My mind is racing, trying to remember if there are any shortcuts, any way to get there faster.
Savannah is bleeding. She's only a few weeks pregnant—barely past the point where we confirmed it. This early, bleeding can mean?—
No. I won't think it. I can't.
I hit the street and sprint toward the parking garage. The night air is cold against my face, but I barely feel it. All I can feel is terror—pure, absolute, paralyzing terror. I’ve never felt anything like this before, never been so afraid.
I go straight to my car, start the engine, and pull out into traffic. The city blurs past, full of lights and buildings and people who have no idea that my entire world is collapsing.
I dial Luca with one hand while the other grips the wheel hard enough to hurt.
"Romeo? It's almost midnight, what?—"
“I need you to meet me.” I give him the name of the hospital. “It’s an emergency. Savannah might be—” I break off, unable to say it. “The baby.”
“Alright,” he says immediately. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Call in any favors we have. I want the best team there with her. The best possible care.”
“I’m on it.”
I end the call and press harder on the accelerator.
The speedometer climbs. The engine roars and the world outside becomes a blur. Nothing matters except getting to Savannah.
My phone rings again. It’s Giulia.
"We're at the hospital.” I can hear the controlled panic in her voice. "They're taking her straight to the ER. Romeo, they're asking about how far along she is, about her medical history, and I don't know?—"
